The Influence of Preexisting Hypertension on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients

Abstract

Hypertension represents one ofthe most common pre-existing conditions and comorbiditiesin Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)patients. To explorewhether hypertensionserves as a risk factor for disease severity,a multi-center, retrospective studywas conducted in COVID-19 patients. A total of 498 consecutively hospitalized patients with lab-confirmed COVID-19 in Chinawere enrolled inthis cohort. Using logistic regression, we assessed the association between hypertension and the likelihood of severe illness with adjustment for confounders.We observed that more than 16% of theenrolled patients exhibited preexisting hypertension on admission. More severe COVID-19 cases occurred in individuals with hypertensionthan those without hypertension(21% vs. 10%, P=0.007). Hypertension associatedwiththe increased risk of severe illness, which was not modified by other demographic factors, such as age, sex, hospitalgeological location, and blood pressure levelson admission.More attention and treatment should be offered topatients with underlying hypertension, who usuallyare older, have more comorbidities, and more susceptible to cardiac complications.