Reassuring data on use of blood pressure medications in COVID-19 patients

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Reassuring data on use of blood pressure medications in COVID-19 patients

Chris Ellis
Mature woman reading newspaper
ACE inhibitors have been in the news a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic, sending mixed messages to patients

Patients might be concerned about what they read and hear in the news regarding the use of renin–angiotensin system blockers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardiologist Chris Ellis reviews recent research and current recommendations

A 64-year-old lawyer wants to discuss his blood pressure medications. He has been having treatment for raised blood pressure over the last eight years, COVID-19 blood pressure meds key points
References
  1. Fang L, Karakiulakis G, Roth M. Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID-19 infection? Lancet Respir Med 2020;8(4):e21.
  2. Zhang P, Zhu L, Cai J, et al. Association of inpatient use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers with mortality among patients with hypertension hospitalized with COVID-19. Circ Res 2020;126(12):1671–81.
  3. Lim SS, Vos T, Flaxman AD, et al. A comparative risk assessment of burden of disease and injury attributable to 67 risk factors and risk factor clusters in 21 regions, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet 2012;380(9859):2224–60.