COVID19 & the Importance of managing hypertension

May 30, 2020

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This coronavirus outbreak is a new and evolving pandemic. The virus is new and each day researchers are discovering facts about it, its spread and its effect on people. It has been found that the virus causes only a mild form of infection in a majority of the population and in some people, it has no symptoms whatsoever. In a small percentage of people, however, it causes serious complications often leading to death.

Deciphering the effects of COVID 19 in people

Recent studies have shown that the new coronavirus causes serious damage in older people, people with compromised immune system and people with comorbidities such as cardiac problems, lung disease, cancer, diabetes and hypertension.

People with hypertension should take greater precautions as they

Have a greater risk of COVID 19 infection
Are more likely to have severe symptoms
Have a greater risk of death

High blood pressure and COVID 19

The virus generally causes pneumonia, but it can also damage the cardiovascular system, especially in patients with hypertension. This is because:

High blood pressure damages the arteries and reduces blood flow to your heart, so the heart has to work harder to pump blood. This can weaken the heart so much that it would be unable to pump out the required amount of oxygen rich blood to the body.
If there is plaque buildup in the arteries, the virus may break the plaque apart leading to a heart attack.
The virus can directly affect the heart. This could be disastrous in a heart already weakened by high blood pressure
High blood pressure leads to weaker immune system, which has serious consequences.

Therefore, it is very important that you keep your BP under control.

Prevention of COVID 19 is the best policy for people with hypertension

If you have high blood pressure, you must take extra care and precautions to avoid infection. Follow these simple rules.