Abstract

The presentation of COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has largely been asymptomatic or mild in youngsters and the pediatric age group. The elderly population, however, have been at a much higher risk of severe disease wtih grave complications and even death. Furthermore, obseity, cardiovascular ailments and diabetes mellitus have also been implicated in severe disease outcomes. It has been found that a dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a key role in the initiation of lung damage after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and RAS inhibitors may reestablish the equilibrium between the “classic RAS” arm and its counter regulatory arm, here defined as “anti-RAS,” of which ACE2 is the keystone. Till now, there has been paucity of solid evidence to either recommend or discontinue usage of ACEI/ARB medications in hypertensive patients in the midst of menace posed by COVID-19. Hence, we tried to summarize and simplify the myths and facts known so far regarding the subject matter to find out a possibilities and feasibilities regarding the use of ACEI/ARB in hypertensives patients who have also contracted COVID-19 and the their role in influencing progression of the disease to severe forms or death.

Keywords: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Hypertension; Angiotensin Receptor Blockers; Covid-19

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