What role does hypertension play in COVID-19?
high blood pressure increases the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19, even when fully vaccinated. In infections with the Omicron variant, the risk more than doubled.
In a new study involving experts from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Centers in Los Angeles investigated why some people develop severe COVID-19 with the Omicron variant despite full vaccination, including booster vaccination. The results were published in the journal “Hypertension” released.
Study had 912 participants
The researchers investigated in their retrospective cohort study 912 adult participants. At least they had three doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna).
In addition, demographic information (e.g. age and ethnicity) and clinical data from electronic health records were also evaluated.
In this way, the experts were able to identify key variables and clinical characteristics, such as the presence of chronic health problems, for example in the form of type 2 diabetes or kidney disease.
Fewer side effects thanks to the booster vaccination
COVID-19 vaccines helped reduce deaths and some of the most serious side effects of infection in the early stages of the pandemic. So reduced one Booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine according to a study, the risk of serious illnesses by up to 70 percentreports the team.
Nevertheless, it happened that some of the fully vaccinated subjects with booster vaccination during an early wave of the Omicron variant due to COVID-19 hospitalized had to be.
The researchers were now trying to find out what characteristics people had who, despite the full COVID-19 vaccination series and a booster dose, developed such serious COVID-19 diseases that they needed treatment in a hospital.
Role of the subvariants of Omicron
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Omicron variant continues to be the dominant variant in the USA. By July of 2022, a total of seven omicron subvariants identified. In the study, the experts did not distinguish which omicron subvariants were present in the participants.
Increased risk despite the absence of chronic diseases
It was shown that the influence of high blood pressure on the course of COVID-19 even then persistedif no other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, kidney disease or heart failure, the researchers report.
„A breakthrough Omicron infection severe enough to result in hospitalization can occur in adults of any age, especially those with high blood pressure, even if they don’t have other serious chronic illnesses‘ explains the author of the study Dr. A.S. Joseph E. Ebinger in a press release.
The data clearly shows that older adults with other underlying diseases are not the only ones who are susceptible. This makes it clear that the people most at risk are not who you think they are, the medic adds
In the study had to be scarce 16 percent of the 912 participants who received three doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine hospitalized will.
Risk factors for necessary hospitalization
It was found that older age, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, a previous heart attack, heart failure and the time between the last vaccination and the disease were associated with a higher risk of a required hospital stay.
2.6 times higher risk of high blood pressure
If the participants suffered from high blood pressure, this increased the risk of being hospitalized for severe COVID-19 disease to prevent this 2,6-angry. This applied even if the person concerned no other serious illnesses a little.
Of the 145 participants who had to be hospitalized, they suffered 125 (86.2 percent) under one high blood pressurereport the experts.
„We need to raise awareness and understanding that giving a vaccine three times will not prevent everyone from developing severe COVID-19, especially those with high blood pressure“, explains Dr. Ebinger.
According to the expert, further research is now needed to improve our understanding of why there is this connection between high blood pressure and an increased risk of a more severe course of COVID-19. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Joseph Ebinger, Matthew Driver, Sandy Joung, Teresa Tran, Denisse Barajas, et al.: Hypertension and Excess Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness Despite Booster Vaccination; in: Hypertension (veröffentlicht 20.07.2022), Hypertension
- American Heart Association: High blood pressure may double the risk of severe COVID, even following full vaccination (veröffentlicht 20.07.2022), AHA
- Robert Koch Institute: Hypertension (accessed 07/21/2022), RKI
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
