A retrospective analysis of incidence and severity of COVID-19 among hypertensive patients: the other side

ABSTRACT Objective The role of hypertension in COVID-19 has not been clearly elucidated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in a hypertensive population and assess whether there is a link between blood pressure control and SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes. Methods This was a single-center retrospective observational study that evaluated the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in a chronic hypertensive population (n=1,637) from a specialized consultation of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk of Internal Medicine in a tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain). Results A total of 147 COVID-19 patients (9%) were found, with a median age of 59 (±14) years, where 77 (52.4%) patients were male. Forty patients required hospitalization (27.2%), 15 patients had severe COVID-19 (10.2%), and 6 patients died (4.1%). Among the causes of hypertension, 104 (70.7%) patients had essential hypertension and 22 (15%) patients presented primary hyperaldosteronism; and 66 (44.9%) patients presented RH. Severe COVID-19 was associated with age over 65 years (crude OR 4.43 [95% CI 1.3–14.2; p = .012]) and diabetes mellitus (crude OR 4.15 [95% CI 1.3–12.9; p = .014]). Conclusion This study showed a lower rate of incidence, hospitalization, and severity of COVID-19 in the hypertensive population.