Impact of COVID-19 on Patients with Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: the relationship between COVID-19 and high blood pressure (HBP) has been a key topic in medical research due to the high prevalence of HBP and its impact on the severity of SARS-CoV-2. This study analyzes how COVID-19 affects hypertensive patients, considering risk factors, clinical relevance, and trends in HBP prevalence, with a focus on Latin America and Ecuador. Objective: describe the increase in high blood pressure, its risk factors, and the clinical importance of COVID-19 in hypertensive patients. Method: the study aims to conduct a bibliographic review; the information search was carried out on various platforms such as Google Scholar, Cambridge University Press, Scielo, Science Direct, PubMed, and Unesco. Development: high blood pressure, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, affects 1.13 billion people worldwide, with significant growth in older adults and people with obesity. The pandemic revealed a complex interaction between hypertension and SARS-CoV-2, as the virus uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a cellular entry point. This generated uncertainty about the effects of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on the progression of COVID-19. Conclusions: this research corroborates previous data published by the WHO and PAHO regarding the main clinical manifestations of COVID-19 patients with a history of high blood pressure.