Why not change the therapy of hypertension in patients with COVID-19. Dual role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2

Abstract

Despite many organizational and medical efforts, the COVID-19 epidemic continues and is taking a lethal toll. Preliminary reports have already reported that the mortality associated with this disease is much higher in people with comorbidities, including hypertension. SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the body through the receptor which is the angiotensin converting enzyme 2. The administration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or sartans increases the activity of this enzyme. Therefore, there was a suspicion that patients treated with these preparations become more easily infected, and the infection itself is more severe and is associated with greater mortality. On the other hand, the ACE2 enzyme is known to reduce the risk of lung damage. The paper presents current reports describing the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in patients with hypertension, the course of infection and the effect of administration of ACE inhibitors and sartans on the mortality of these patients. The presented data indicate that the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and sartans in patients with COVID-19 does not worsen the course of the disease, and according to some authors this treatment even reduces the mortality of this infection.