The impact of systemic arterial hypertension on covid-19 contagion and prognosis: a narrative review

Abstract

Objective: To understand the impact of Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) on the contagion and prognosis of COVID-19. Bibliographic review: SAH is a condition caused by several factors and is characterized by sustained high levels of Blood Pressure (BP). Considered one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension has required a different look during the pandemic because it is associated with a greater number of complications and deaths in case of infection by the coronavirus. Hypertension is responsible in some way for half of deaths from cardiovascular diseases worldwide, affects an average of 1/4 of the adult population and accounts for about more than 300 thousand deaths annually, according to the Brazilian Society of Hypertension (SBH). Hypertension is responsible for more than 70% of cases of Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) and the greatest risk for hypertensive patients with COVID is that the virus produces an inflammatory reaction that can reach vascular areas, such as vessels that show changes in their structure or its function. Final considerations: Thus, studies relating systemic arterial hypertension to the contagion of covid-19 and its prognosis are necessary, aiming at greater knowledge on the subject.