No need to change antihypertensive drugs due to COVID-19

|Angiotensin converting enzyme acknowledges some effects on virus spread

Lack of related research such as clinical trial, Risk is greater than gain

The Korean Society of Hypertension agrees to causality through a statement, although some claims have been made that the representative hypertensive drugs, Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI), may exacerbate COVID-19 symptoms.

 

It was recommended that the current prescription should be maintained as the risk of changing prescriptions is greater.

 

#The Korean Society of Hypertension issued a written advice for hypertension drugs and COVID-19 on the 18th, that patients currently taking hypertension drugs maintain their current prescriptions.

 

The argument is that ARB and ACEI medications can exacerbate the symptoms of corona19, so that even hypertensive patients and first-line medical staff are confused.

 

This advice is intended to summarize it.

 

In fact, the epidemiological investigation of COVID-19 confirmed patients showed that the mortality rate of hypertensive patients was markedly high, suggesting that some people may have a high risk of ARB and ACEI drugs.

 

ARB and ACEI drugs increase the concentration of Angiotensin-converting enzyme that affect COVID-19 spread resulting in worsening COVID-19 symptoms.

 

The Korean Society for Hypertension also acknowledged some of these issues.

 

It is a position that it cannot be denied that such action appears in the mechanism of medicine.

 

The society explained, "It is true that the mortality rate associated with COVID-19 infection in hypertensive patients is high, and it is also correct that COVID-19 acts by binding to the ACE enzyme".

 

"It is argued that this should stop taking ARB and ACEI medications that increase the concentration of ACE enzymes, and but on this, experts in the society remain negative" the society added.

 

Obviously, the effect of the ACE enzyme cannot be ignored, but it is pointed out that it may be more dangerous to change the prescription with only vague possibilities in a situation where there is a lack of related research such as clinical trials.

 

The Korean Society of Hypertension said, "There is a lack of clinical evidence as to the effect of increasing ACE enzymes on hypertensive patients.

 

In this situation, it is not necessary to replace the drug that has been proven effective and prescribed for the correct indication".

 

In addition, the society said, "We believe that the benefits of these drugs are greater than the risk of discontinuing or changing the prescription.

 

Patients taking ARB and ACEI are advised to continue taking the drug without changing or discontinuing it".