Do you also have
high blood pressure , that is, the 'pressure' that we all talk about? Then remember that you need to be a little more careful with the COVID-19 pandemic. Because, having high blood pressure, that is, `(Hypertension),` that is not properly controlled, greatly increases the risk of serious complications if you contract the coronavirus. Let's talk about this in detail.
Why are people with high blood pressure at higher risk of COVID-19?
High blood pressure is a common condition among many people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19. In fact, research has found that having high blood pressure
nearly doubles the risk of severe COVID-19 illness or death. People with
diabetes , cancer, and lung disease are also at higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19. Surprisingly, some studies have shown that even people who did not have high blood pressure before are at risk of developing high blood pressure after contracting COVID-19.
What are the reasons behind this relationship?
Doctors and scientists are still researching this for sure, but there are a few main factors that they think could be causing it.
Long-term conditions like high blood pressure and aging weaken our body's defenses,
the immune system . Imagine that the soldiers in our body are a little older, or weakened by another illness. Then they have a hard time fighting off a virus that comes from outside. Since about two-thirds of people over 60 have high blood pressure, we can clearly see this connection.
2. Common misconceptions about blood pressure medication
Another story spread that certain blood pressure medications, especially those belonging to the categories of ``ACE inhibitors'' and ``Angiotensin Receptor Blockers - ARBs'', increase this risk.
But this has now been proven to be a completely wrong idea. Numerous large-scale studies conducted around the world have confirmed that there is no link between these drugs and the severity of the coronavirus disease. Some studies even suggest that using these drugs can help reduce the severity of COVID-19 .
Therefore
, do not suddenly stop taking your blood pressure medication prescribed by your doctor for any reason. Doing so will increase your risk of serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
How does the coronavirus affect the body of someone with high blood pressure?
Although the main complication caused by the coronavirus is pneumonia, this virus can also damage our cardiovascular system, that is, the heart and blood vessels. Imagine, your blood vessels (arteries) have already been damaged due to high blood pressure, reducing the blood flow to the heart. This means that your heart
has to work harder to pump the blood your body needs. Just as when you put a narrow pipe on a water pump, the motor has to work harder, the same thing happens to our heart. When you work this hard for a long time, the heart can become weak. The coronavirus is another big stress on an already weak heart.
- Inflammation of the heart muscle : The virus directly infects the heart muscle and causes it to swell. We medically call this 'myocarditis' . This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.
- Heart attack risk : If you have fatty deposits (we call this ``plaque'') inside your blood vessels, the coronavirus can cause these fatty deposits to suddenly rupture, forming a blood clot that can block a blood vessel and increase the risk of a heart attack.
So what should we do?
We all need to take steps to protect ourselves from the coronavirus, but people with other medical conditions, like high blood pressure, need to be
especially careful . Here are some things you can do.
| Steps to take | Why is that important? |
|---|
| Get the COVID-19 vaccine | Getting approved vaccines and booster shots can help build strong immunity against the virus, which can help prevent the disease from becoming severe if you do get it. |
| Keep your medicine handy. | Keep your prescribed medication for high blood pressure and other conditions close at hand. Don't wait until you're close to running out. |
| Prepare regular medications | Keep some common medicines like paracetamol at home to use in case of fever and other symptoms. However, it is best to consult your doctor before taking any medicine. |
| Avoid crowded places. | To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, avoid going to crowded places as much as possible. If you are traveling for essential purposes, wear a face mask. |
| Wash your hands often. | Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly. This will help kill any viruses that may be on your hands. |
| Clean frequently touched areas | Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, counters, and tables with a disinfectant solution. |
If you develop any symptoms, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, inform your
doctor immediately. In an emergency, it is important to go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
Take-Home Message
- If you have high blood pressure, you definitely need to be extra careful with COVID-19.
- Never stop taking high blood pressure medication prescribed by your doctor without medical advice.
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine and related booster shots at the recommended time.
- Always follow basic hygiene practices such as washing hands and wearing a face mask .
- If you develop any symptoms or have any concerns about your health, consult your doctor immediately.
Corona, COVID-19, high blood pressure, pressure, heart disease, heart attack, virus
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