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Hypertension, medications, and risk of severe COVID-19: A Massachusetts community-based observational study.
Bauer, AZ, Gore, R, Sama, SR, Rosiello, R, Garber, L, Sundaresan, D, McDonald, A, Arruda, P, Kriebel, D
Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.). 2021;(1):21-27
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Abstract
It remains uncertain whether the hypertension (HT) medications angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) mitigate or exacerbate SARS-CoV-2 infection. We evaluated the association of ACEi and ARB with severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) as defined by hospitalization or mortality among individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. We investigated whether these associations were modified by age, the simultaneous use of the diuretic thiazide, and the health conditions associated with medication use. In an observational study utilizing data from a Massachusetts group medical practice, we identified 1449 patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis. In our study, pre-infection comorbidities including HT, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes were associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19. Risk was further elevated in patients under age 65 with these comorbidities or cancer. Twenty percent of those with severe COVID-19 compared to 9% with less severe COVID-19 used ACEi, 8% and 4%, respectively, used ARB. In propensity score-matched analyses, use of neither ACEi (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.81) nor ARB (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.55) was associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19. Thiazide use did not modify this relationship. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anticoagulant medications were not associated with COVID-19 severity. In conclusion, cardiovascular-related comorbidities were associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes, especially among patients under age 65. We found no substantial increased risk of severe COVID-19 among patients taking antihypertensive medications. Our findings support recommendations against discontinuing use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors to prevent severe COVID-19.
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COVID-19: Are Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors for Its Severity?
Bello, B, Useh, U
American journal of health promotion : AJHP. 2021;(5):720-729
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and describe the mechanisms of lifestyle characteristics-obesity, DM, hypertension and physical inactivity-that may lead to the severity of illness among individuals with COVID-19. DATA SOURCE A scoping review was conducted by searching electronic databases of PubMed and Scopus from December 2019 to August 2020. INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA inclusion criteria were studies that explicitly describe the mechanism of COVID-19 in relationship with either hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM), obesity and/or physical inactivity. Studies of epidemiological background, descriptive surveys and interventional studies were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION study characteristics were tabulated according to purpose, type of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the hypothesis on the mechanism of infestation (MOI) and conclusion. DATA SYNTHESIS NCDs were categorized according to type and hypothesis on mechanisms of infestation. The interplay between COVID-19, type of NCDs and MOI leading to the severity of the disease was appraised. RESULTS Twenty-four (24) studies were identified from 357 unique records. Eight studies postulated the mechanism of infestation and interaction between COVID 19 illness severity and Obesity, while 7 studies described COVID-19 and DM. Five studies highlighted the interaction between COVID-19 and hypertension with 4 studies showing how physical activity restriction suppresses immunity. CONCLUSION The current review, identified and explicitly described the mechanisms of the lifestyle characteristics that may increase the severity of illness among people with COVID-19.
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Lifestyle, psychological, socioeconomic and environmental factors and their impact on hypertension during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Kreutz, R, Dobrowolski, P, Prejbisz, A, Algharably, EAE, Bilo, G, Creutzig, F, Grassi, G, Kotsis, V, Lovic, D, Lurbe, E, et al
Journal of hypertension. 2021;(6):1077-1089
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic considerably affects health, wellbeing, social, economic and other aspects of daily life. The impact of COVID-19 on blood pressure (BP) control and hypertension remains insufficiently explored. We therefore provide a comprehensive review of the potential changes in lifestyle factors and behaviours as well as environmental changes likely to influence BP control and cardiovascular risk during the pandemic. This includes the impact on physical activity, dietary patterns, alcohol consumption and the resulting consequences, for example increases in body weight. Other risk factors for increases in BP and cardiovascular risk such as smoking, emotional/psychologic stress, changes in sleep patterns and diurnal rhythms may also exhibit significant changes in addition to novel factors such as air pollution and environmental noise. We also highlight potential preventive measures to improve BP control because hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for worldwide health during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Effect of Reducing Sedentary Behavior on Blood Pressure (RESET BP): Rationale, design, and methods.
Barone Gibbs, B, Conroy, MB, Huber, K, Muldoon, MF, Perera, S, Jakicic, JM
Contemporary clinical trials. 2021;:106428
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Abstract
Sedentary behavior (SB) has recently been recognized as a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with new guidelines encouraging adults to 'sit less, move more.' Yet, there are few randomized trials demonstrating that reducing SB improves cardiovascular health. The Effect of Reducing Sedentary Behavior on Blood Pressure (RESET BP) randomized clinical trial addresses this gap by testing the effect of a 3-month SB reduction intervention on resting systolic BP. Secondary outcomes include other BP measures, pulse wave velocity, plasma renin activity and aldosterone, and objectively-measured SB (via thigh-mounted activPAL) and physical activity (via waist-worn GT3X accelerometer). RESET BP has a targeted recruitment of 300 adults with desk jobs, along with elevated, non-medicated BP (systolic BP 120-159 mmHg or diastolic BP 80-99 mmHg) and physical inactivity (self-reported aerobic physical activity below recommended levels). The multi-component intervention promotes 2-4 fewer hours of SB per day by replacing sitting with standing and light-intensity movement breaks. Participants assigned to the intervention condition receive a sit-stand desk attachment, a wrist-worn activity prompter, behavioral counseling every two weeks (alternating in-person and phone), and twice-weekly automated text messages. Herein, we review the study rationale, describe and evaluate recruitment strategies based on enrollment to date, and detail the intervention and assessment protocols. We also document our mid-trial adaptations to participant recruitment, intervention deployment, and outcome assessments due to the intervening COVID-19 pandemic. Our research methods, experiences to date, and COVID-specific accommodations could inform other research studying BP and hypertension or targeting working populations, including those seeking remote methods.
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Initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in hypertensive older adults: An accelerometer-based analysis.
Browne, RAV, Macêdo, GAD, Cabral, LLP, Oliveira, GTA, Vivas, A, Fontes, EB, Elsangedy, HM, Costa, EC
Experimental gerontology. 2020;:111121
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Abstract
BACKGROUND This study reports the accelerometer-based physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in hypertensive older adults. METHODS Thirty-five hypertensive older adults were included in this observational study. Accelerometer-based PA and SB measures were assessed before (January to March 2020) and during (June 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear mixed models were used to assess within-group changes in PA and SB measures, adjusted by accelerometer wear time. RESULTS Before COVID-19 pandemic participants presented: 5809 steps/day (SE = 366), 303.1 min/day (SE = 11.9) of light PA, 15.5 min/day (SE = 2.2) of moderate-vigorous PA, and 653.0 min/day (SE = 12.6) of SB. During COVID-19 pandemic there was a decrease in steps/day (β = -886 steps/day, SE = 361, p = 0.018), in moderate-vigorous PA (β = -2.8 min/day, SE = 2.4, p = 0.018), and a trend in light PA (β = -26.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.053). In addition, SB increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (β = 29.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.032). The magnitude of changes was greater on the weekend, mainly for steps/day (β = -1739 steps/day, SE = 424, p < 0.001) and the SB pattern (more time spent in bouts of ≥10 and 30 min, less breaks/day and breaks/h). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic may elicit unhealthy changes in movement behavior in hypertensive older adults. Lower PA, higher and more prolonged SB on the weekend are the main features of the behavioral changes.