Given the large number of people affected by Covid-19, new research suggests that many patients will acquire high blood pressure in the future.
An review of electronic medical records from over 45,000 people revealed that Covid-19 infection was strongly related with the development of high blood pressure, according to new research published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.
“While Covid-19 is typically more severe in patients with preexisting high blood pressure, including higher rates of hospitalisation and mortality compared to people with normal blood pressure, it is unknown whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus may trigger the development of high blood pressure or worsen preexisting hypertension,” said senior study author Tim Q Duong, PhD, professor of radiology and vice chair for radiology research, and associate director of Integrative Imaging.
This is the first study to evaluate the development and risk factors for chronic high blood pressure in patients infected with Covid-19 to influenza, a comparable respiratory virus.
The 2017 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults defines hypertension as top and bottom readings more than or equal to 130/80 mm Hg.
“Given the sheer number of people affected by Covid-19 compared to influenza, these statistics are alarming and suggest that many more patients will likely develop high blood pressure in the future, which may present a significant public health burden,” Duong added. “These findings should raise awareness about screening at-risk patients for hypertension after Covid-19 illness to enable earlier detection and treatment of hypertension-related complications, such as cardiovascular and kidney disease.”
Ratnavali