The importance of hypertension as a risk factor for severe illness and mortality in COVID‐19

Abstract

The virus responsible for COVID‐19 binds to the angiotensin converting enzyme‐2 (ACE‐2) receptor [1]. Several articles have noted that hypertension is a risk factor for COVID‐19 [2‐7]. It is currently difficult to distinguish between hypertension as an independent risk factor in COVID‐19 from one that co‐varies with other patient factors such as age and cardiovascular disease. It is difficult from individual reports to determine whether hypertension is a risk factor for development of symptomatic disease or hospitalisation or for more severe disease. Reviewing the literature that reports rates of hypertension amongst included patients indicates a consistent association with more severe disease and increased mortality.