Could Hypertension Medicines Make People with COVID-19 Sicker?

Maintaining healthy blood pressure levels is always important, and even more when we are battling against COVID-19. This is because high blood pressure will increase your risk of experiencing severe complications from COVID-19 regardless of your age. Among the COVID-19 deaths in Singapore, at least eleven are known to have history of hypertension.

Some scientists have postulated that medication to treat hypertension such as Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-i) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) may make COVID-19 worse due to the affinity for the ACE2 receptor that all these Coronaviruses have. This has made it to public social media posts.

However, according to the latest guidelines from the American Heart Association, Heart Failure Society of American and the American College of Cardiology, patients should not stop taking prescribed ACE-i or ARB medications for high blood pressure, heart failure or heart disease.

These medications do not increase your risk of contracting COVID-19. They are vital to maintaining your blood pressure levels to reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and worsening heart disease.

Heart attacks and strokes remain the major cause of death in Singapore even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medication for hypertension and heart failure should continue in accordance to current guidelines.

Do not be afraid to go to the hospital if your condition requires medical assistance.