What can you do to reduce your risk for COVID when you have hypertension. According to the Institute of Health, COVID-19 is the leading cause of death in the United States surpassing heart disease and cancer, and stroke.
People who are hypertension do not have a higher risk, but if your blood pressure is uncontrolled you may be at a higher risk of COVID severity. The American Heart Association has defined hypertension as a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or more. Approximately 29% of Americans have been diagnosed with hypertension and it is commonly found in the elderly.
More research is needed, but studies from New York, Italy, and China may suggest that people with hypertension are at higher risk of COVID-19. It has been suggested that the Ace2 receptors found in your lungs may cause inflammation, putting you at a higher risk for severe symptoms if you have hypertension. Nevertheless, if your blood pressure is controlled, you may be protected from a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and severe symproms.
