Hypertension in COVID-19, A Risk Factor for Infection or A Late Consequence?

Cell J. 2022 Jul 27;24(7):424-426. doi: 10.22074/cellj.2022.8487.

Abstract

There are a lot of data about the correlation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hypertension (HTN), but most of them are in the increased risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with HTN. SARS-CoV-2 can interfere with host cells through the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. RAS activation is associated with pro-inflammatory effects through the ACE/Ang II/ Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) pathway or anti-inflammatory effects through ACE2/Ang1-7/Mas axis. In the current paper, we discuss the pathophysiology of newly diagnosed HTN and its effect on morbidity in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Keywords: COVID-19; Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System; hypertension.