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Is it true that certain blood pressure medication might increase risk?
Patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as enzapril, captopril, enalapril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (such as losartan, olmesartan, irbesartan) should continue treatment with their mediations. This approach is supported by multiple guideline panels [119-123]. There has been speculation that patients with COVID-19 who are receiving these agents may be at increased risk for adverse outcomes [124,125]. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 [126], and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors can increase ACE2 levels. Although patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes may have a more severe clinical course in the setting of infection with SARS-CoV-2, there is no evidence to support an association with these agents. In addition, stopping these agents in some patients may exacerbate comorbid cardiovascular or kidney disease and lead to increased mortality [127].
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=31996437
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=32150237
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19