High blood pressure more than doubles the risk of hospitalization from an Omicron-variant COVID-19 infection, despite full vaccination that includes a booster dose, a new study suggests.
The study, published online July 20, 2022, by the journal Hypertension, analyzed data from 912 adults with COVID-19 in Los Angeles from December 2021 through April 2022. All had received at least three doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The Omicron variant of the virus was first detected in the United States in December 2021, and seven sub-variants had been identified by July 2022.
Nearly 16% of the study participants required hospitalization for COVID-19, and more than 86% of that group had high blood pressure. The apparent effect of high blood pressure on severe COVID-19 illness remained even without other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, according to the CDC.
As you will see, lowering your high blood pressure becomes more vital than ever. I know how scary it is as I have hypertension myself.
We have been told to practice social distancing, proper hand-washing, wearing a face-mask in public, and the like. And yet despite taking these precautions many still remain concerned about getting sick.
The 4 key takeaways as I see them are:
- 1. Now more than ever keep your blood pressure low.
- 2. Keep a closer tab on your BP. Start using that home BP monitor of yours.
- 3. Do Not Stop your hypertension medications.
- 4. Beware of the OTC meds and natural substances that can increase your high blood pressure.
Let me add that if you are a RESPeRATE owner, feel free to increase your daily usage. As you already know, beyond lowering your blood pressure, it relieves anxiety, stress which plenty of studies say may weaken your immune system.
Who is at risk for contracting COVID-19?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) can make anyone seriously ill. But for some people, the risk is higher.
At some point during the COVID-19 pandemic you may have been told you were at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 (sometimes called clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable). You may also have been advised to stay at home (shield).
You or your child may continue to be at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, despite vaccination, if you have:
- High blood pressure
- Down’s syndrome
- certain types of cancer (such as a blood cancer like leukemia or lymphoma)
- sickle cell disease
- certain conditions affecting your blood
- chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5
- severe liver disease
- had an organ or bone marrow transplant
- certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
- HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
- a condition affecting your immune system
- a rare condition affecting the brain or nerves (multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease or myasthenia gravis)
- a severe problem with the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
- severe or multiple learning disabilities (or you’re on the learning disability register)
- a weakened immune system due to a medical treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
You may be advised, by your physician, to take extra steps or follow additional advice to protect yourself from COVID-19.
Does Hypertension Medication Make People With COVID-19 Sicker?
Researchers cannot say for sure that blood pressure medications do make you more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. The theory gained traction with results from early animal studies of a different coronavirus (the SARS virus in the early 2000s). It appeared that the medications made it easier for the virus to infect cells in the lungs and cause pneumonia.
More confusingly, other studies have suggested that ACE inhibitors and ARBs may actually reduce lung infection of viral pneumonia, including pneumonia caused by COVID-19. That means these high blood pressure medications could possibly be used to treat the virus.
The Heart Failure Society of America and the American College of Cardiology, issued this joint statement March 17,2020:
“Currently there are no experimental or clinical data demonstrating beneficial or adverse outcomes with background use of ACE inhibitors, ARBs or other RAAS antagonists in COVID-19 or among COVID-19 patients with a history of cardiovascular disease treated with such agents. The HFSA, ACC, and AHA recommend continuation of RAAS antagonists for those patients who are currently prescribed such agents for indications for which these agents are known to be beneficial, such as heart failure, hypertension, or ischemic heart disease. In the event patients with cardiovascular disease are diagnosed with COVID-19, individualized treatment decisions should be made according to each patient’s hemodynamic status and clinical presentation. Therefore, be advised not to add or remove any RAAS-related treatments, beyond actions based on standard clinical practice.”
“These theoretical concerns and findings of cardiovascular involvement with COVID-19 deserve much more detailed research, and quickly. As further research and developments related to this issue evolve, we will update these recommendations as needed.”
What The Data Tells Us
Another team of physicians, writing in the March 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, came to the same conclusion.
“Despite these theoretical uncertainties regarding whether pharmacologic regulation of ACE2 may influence the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, there is clear potential for harm related to the withdrawal of RAAS inhibitors in patients in otherwise stable conditions. Covid-19 is particularly severe in patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases, and in many of these patients, active myocardial injury, myocardial stress, and cardiomyopathy develop during the course of illness. RAAS inhibitors have established benefits in protecting the kidney and myocardium, and their withdrawal may risk clinical decompensation in high-risk patients.”
According to the JAMA the Council on Hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology made issued the following statement, “The Council on Hypertension strongly recommends that physicians and patients should continue treatment with their usual anti-hypertensive therapy because there is no clinical or scientific evidence to suggest that treatment with ACEIs or ARBs should be discontinued because of the COVID-19 infection.” This statement has been followed by similar statements from a number of different societies suggesting patients continue their current hypertensive medication regimen. On March 17, 2020, the American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America, and the American College of Cardiology put out a joint statement advocating for patients to continue ACEIs and ARBs as prescribed and that changes in medications in the setting of COVID-19 should be completed only after careful assessment.”
As you can see it is important to continue with your medication regime and consult your physician to ensure that you are keeping your blood pressure in check.
Do OTC Medications Cause Hypertension?
Some over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can raise your blood pressure or keep your blood pressure medicine from working the way it should. So if you have high blood pressure or other heart or blood vessel problems, you need to be careful with OTC medicines. That includes vitamins and other natural health products. Your doctor or pharmacist can suggest OTC medicines that are safe for you.
Some common types of OTC medicines you may need to avoid include:
- Decongestants, such as those that contain pseudoephedrine.
- Pain medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Cold and influenza medicines. These often contain decongestants and NSAIDs.
- Some antacids and other stomach medicines. Many of these are high in sodium, which can raise blood pressure. So be sure to read labels carefully to check for sodium content.
- Some natural health products. Examples are ephedra, ma huang, and bitter orange.
If you are taking medication for mental health, corticosteroids, oral birth control, immunosuppressants and some cancer medications, you should monitor blood pressure to make sure it’s under control.
Will Coffee Raise My Blood Pressure?
While coffee might raise your blood pressure briefly, long term use of caffeine isn’t thought to cause or worsen hypertension or cardiovascular disease in general, according to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) blood pressure guideline (with more details on the actual studies here). The Canadian hypertension guidelines hardly mention it, except to remind us not to measure BP after caffeine intake.
Stay Connected To Your Health Care Provider
Many physicians have begun practicing telemedicine. What is telemedicine? Well you can actually have an appointment with your physician via telephone or Skype or have a zoom meeting with them. You can avoid sitting in a waiting room and decrease your risk of contracting COVID-19. Make sure you keep prescriptions filled. Some pharmacies will deliver to your front door. I know my wife and I have used this option more than once.
Emergency Situation Will Still Arise Despite COVID-19
Heart attacks and strokes have quite a bit in common: they are both medical emergencies caused by a sudden cut-off in blood flow. In a heart attack, the blood flow to your heart is suddenly blocked. A stroke occurs because of a sudden interruption of blood flow in your brain.
With both conditions, timely medical care is crucial for lowering the damage to your brain or heart.
When someone is having a stroke, minutes matter – it’s crucial that they receive care as quickly as possible to reduce the chances of brain damage. Call 911 right away if you notice any symptoms of a stroke in someone else or experience them yourself, including:
- Numbness or weakness in your face or limbs, especially affecting only one side of the body
- Confusion, difficulty speaking or trouble understanding others
- Blurred or impaired vision in one or both eyes
- Dizziness, difficulty walking or balance problems
- An excruciating headache with no known cause
Like with stroke, quick heart attack treatment is crucial. Not only does prompt medical care reduce the amount of heart damage, but it may save your life.
Know what symptoms to look for in yourself or a loved one, including:
- Chest pain, especially on the left side or center of your chest
- Discomfort that radiates from your chest through your shoulders or arms
- Jaw, neck or back pain
- Feelings of fullness, pressure or squeezing in your chest
- Shortness of breath, even at rest
- Weakness or lightheadedness
COVID-19 and Hypertension Lower Your Extra Risk
Having hypertension puts us at an extra risk. I have suffered from hypertension so I do not want it rebounding. I am ensuring that I am doing what is needed to lower my risk factor if not neutralize it. I am eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, ensuring to get proper sleep, and keeping my stress levels low. You and I have a big part to play in our health and the health of our loved ones. Let’s lower our high blood pressure risk together.
If you have high blood pressure, the most important step you can take is to manage it. Follow the treatment plan you’ve created with your doctor. Protecting yourself against the serious health issues that high blood pressure can cause is especially important with COVID-19.
You Can Reach Out
I know this is a lot of information to take in. So if you have any questions at [email protected]. You can also reach through “Live Chat” at www.resperate.com.
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