Experts link hypertension with Covid-19 complications

Claim nearly half of people aged over 40 years in Pakistan have high blood pressure

People suffering from hypertension could develop serious complications, including multiple organ failure, heart failure, heart attacks and strokes, if they contracted coronavirus, warned experts on Sunday.

According to several doctors, the latest studies showed that high blood pressure was the most prevalent comorbidity among patients infected with coronavirus across the world. They added that analysis of seven studies with 1,576 Covid-19 patients around the globe had shown that 21.1 per cent of the patients were hypertensive. Moreover, they pointed out, 40 to 50 per cent of people aged over 40 years had blood pressure concerns in Pakistan.

"People with hypertension or high blood pressure are not at a higher risk of contracting Covid-19 as compared to healthy people, but they can develop serious complications if their blood pressure is not controlled," explained Prof Khawar Kazmi, the head of preventive cardiology at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).

He added that hypertensive people needed to regularly monitor their blood pressure at home and take measures to control it to avoid serious complications.

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According to Prof Kazmi, the coronavirus caused inflammation of blood vessels, among other organs, leaving those with high blood pressure at a higher risk of developing complications.

He advised people to cut down their salt intake, maintain a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly for 45 minutes to boost immunity, while also punctually taking their prescribed medication.

Meanwhile, another NICVD cardiologist, Dr Fawad Farooq, stated that people with high blood pressure were two to three times more at risk of developing complications, including pulmonary oedema or fluid build-up in lungs and other cardiac issues, if they were exposed to the virus.

"Various organs of hypertensive people are affected if their blood pressure remains uncontrolled for a long period and in these circumstances, if a person contracts Covid-19, it can be disastrous for them," Dr Farooq added. He further advised people to reduce their weight by controlling diet and working out.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2020.