Today’s pearl is about the use of ACE-Is and ARBs in patients with COVID-19
Should they be continued?
Many are wondering if they should continue taking their angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) (eg, lisinopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (eg, losartan) for hypertension, heart failure, etc. during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The answer is YES! (Patel 2020)
As with all drug therapies being studied amid this pandemic, recommendations could change. There is ongoing research assessing the role of ACE2 in SARS-CoV-2 and whether ACE-Is or ARBs have an effect on outcomes.
The American Heart Association currently recommends continuing ACE-I or ARB therapy during COVID-19 (HFSA/ACC/AHA statement). If patients have concerns, they should talk to their prescriber before discontinuing.
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