Are you still 'at risk' if you contract Covid19 if high blood pressure is managed on medication?

[Loopdela]

I keep hearing that high blood pressure is an 'underlying health issue' in relation to the Coronavirus outbreak, but can't seem to establish whether this means you're still in the "at risk" group even if your high blood pressure is managed and under control?

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I can't put my hand on the article I read about this, but I think the high blood pressure claim came from doctors in China analysing fatalities there from Covid19.

The NHS doesn't seem to suggest high blood pressure is a high risk factor, they still say poeple with Heart disease, Diabetics and Lung disease as potentially high risk patients.

I should add that finding so many with high blood pressure among the people who have fallen victim to Covid19 in China is not surprising. China has an epidemic of high blood pressure, an estimate of nearly 50% of people between 35 and 75 have high blood pressure, and less than a third are being treated for it . The cause is put down to China’s ageing population, urbanisation, dietary changes, and the increasing prevalence of obesity.

[Derby1 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Uk also has a lot of people with blood presure and studies in Italy and USA show blood presure is an underlying problem.nhs England can't make there minds up about face masks even when BMA asking for the public to use them.all countries who have been sucsesfull in reducing c covid 19 use face masks.

[Loopdela]

Thank you for your reply. I've read it in multiple articles across global media. Worrying times.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Smoking causes elevated blood pressure and the Chinese smoke more than any other nation - about 30% of population! Amongst men is about 10 times higher than among women. I think, and hope, that this is the reason why men appear more at risk!

[Manhattan1]

don’t fancy my chances..ckd stage 3.. type 2 diabetes.. hypertension.. angina.. asthma.. might as well max out the credit card!

[Dovaston in reply to Manhattan1]

😂

[allanrobson in reply to Dovaston]

Seeing your luck you'd mad out and survive! Take care and enjoy your spree :))

[Handel in reply to Manhattan1]

😂 xxx

[Clerkenweller]

A doctor friend warned me to take care. It’s not current BP with medication but the underlying condition.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Clerkenweller]

Ah, thanks for that, I had wondered the same thing.My bp was dangerously high before diagnosis but is well controlled now.I felt that people like me should take care but my husband has played down the risk as he says it is under control.

[Needtodo]

I'd been wondering about the same thing. Do they mean treated /untreated hypertension or those with complications of hypertension. Also the press have mentioned pulmonary hypertension which is not exactly the same as hypertension.

[lettingoffsteam in reply to Needtodo]

It freaks me out thinking of any bug that will mess with my carefully controlled bp.Also beware of decongestants in flu meds which drive up the bp.

[Manhattan1 in reply to Needtodo]

i’m on medication for the hypertension. sometimes it does jump up..i keep my eye on it with bp monitot

[Canbe]

Have been wondering what they mean I have high blood and have a faulty valve and on meds for it all and warfarin

[Hidden]

The situation is that co-morbidities can increase the severity of the disease and also increase the likelihood of death. Because the disease attacks the lungs co-morbidities affecting these are serious including heart failure. High blood pressure and a number of other co-morbidities such as diabetes can lower your immune response to the virus leading to more serious consequences. Everything adds its effect, including a history of smoking.

[Loopdela in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply (and to everyone else who has replied - it really is much appreciated) but my point is, I ‘technically’ suffer from high blood pressure - but it is now under control with medication. Am I still potentially “at risk” because of it?

[Hidden in reply to Loopdela]

I read that it’s the underlying condition of high blood pressure, so, if me, I’d err on cautious side even if controlled.

Sorry I can’t remember or re-find the source, so don’t know how good quality it was. The snippets I recall:

The novel corona has a particular Spike Protein on it. (Called corona = crown because many spikes).

This spike fits well into a “receptor” that is associated with high blood pressure - think it was ACE2 receptor or something.

Fitting in to a receptor is what allows a virus to get hold of human cells & start copying itself. So if virus can grab more of one’s cells more easily, it could mean a more serious impact.

Believe this family of viruses in general fit well with the receptors in people’s lungs, which is why they may cause respiratory problems. And why COPD etc may mean more risk of complications. It sounded more unusual about covid19 re the Spike & HBP.

Think I recall that co-vid’s way of latching was, sadly, super efficient. But think also it may be the root of hope, as think I read scientists may be able to use the Spike protein(s) to find a response (deactivation, vaccine, or something)

I think it also said something about ACE inhibitors, used to treat HBP - maybe that these didn’t stop the virus latching on, but I can’t be sure.

Sorry it’s such vague info. If you googled Spike protein, ACE or similar, maybe you’ll get more.

But my take away, was for us all to be cautious, as the proteins can latch on several places, and also be hopeful, the scientists are learning so much.

[Loopdela in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for taking the time to reply in such detail.

[Hidden]

That is a question for your GP or specialist. My blood pressure, cholesterol etc are all managed with a meds, diet and exercise but the underlying cause of these - plaque buildup in the arteries from heart disease - is still there. It is this that increases my risk, not the outward measures which are fine with the meds etc. Also, as I said, everything is additive. I also have diverticulitis, IBS and a neurological condition so even if well managed my immune system is always working harder in the background making it easier for the virus to take a hold and possibly kill me. I am practising social isolation until a vaccine is available or it passes.

[Loopdela in reply to Hidden]

Thank you again for taking the time to reply. I had a mild heart attack caused by a small tear in the LAD, which repaired itself once my BP was under control. (I had an angiogram which showed that my arteries were clear) I have long since been discharged - and at my final appointment, my consultant said that this will give me no further trouble. I should add that I am on enough medication to fell a rhino and am very happy with where my blood pressure is. (I had a long history of white coat hypertension - which is completely ridiculous but very common!) I hope everyone reading this is OK. All we can do is take sensible measures to try and avoid this bloody virus. This forum is a great place for guidance and reassurance.

[Violymay]

I empathasise with your predicament. 18 months ago I was hospitalised with sepsis so my immune system was at risk. I have hypertension regulated with medication including Ramipil which gives me an occasional dry cough. But I am vulnerable also because I am mid-80s so do I have to stop going to Line dancing 2 nights a week, quiz night, the cinema, shopping etc? If so, for how long?

[Loopdela in reply to Violymay]

Thank you for your reply. How great that you go Line Dancing! My mum is 80 and still keeps very active (indoor bowls, walking, active social life etc) I have gently suggested today that maybe she should think about limiting her social interaction for the time being. She’s pretty fit but is on BP meds, statins and she has AF. But I’m no expert, and the government today seemed to suggest today to ‘Keep Calm & Carry On’ for now. Sorry, I’m not much help! x

[Violymay in reply to Loopdela]

Thank you for replying! Did your mother react kindly to your suggestion that she doesn’t go out so much? It’s the thought that it may be for many weeks, too, that worries me. My partner (a youngster only 73) says I,m reading too much media coverage of the pandemic and will be fine but other friends are more cautious- I can’t win!🤨

[Loopdela in reply to Violymay]

My mum didn’t mind! She’s going to try and sign up for online shopping. You sound very sensible - I think you’ll settle somewhere between what your partner thinks and what your friends are doing! x

[DazzyB]

Youll be fine. Don't worry. Immune system is key to prevent sticky mucus forming on the lungs.

[CFla]

Have also read anyone who has had chemotherapy is also at risk. Not currently on chemo necessarily. With that in mind I’d say BP meds (which I’m on) won’t stop the virus but “may” be therapeutic. I’m beefing up my immune system with Vit C, D, zinc, no alcohol, get enough sleep, exercise daily and eat healthy. No single thing is magic but gonna try to do everything possible

[Derby1]

Research came from China Italy and the USA .all said blood presure was a problem and are doing more research.keep safe till we no more.