Patients With Hypertension Are More Susceptible To COVID-19

Hypertension is a disease characterized by high blood pressure. When it beats, the heart pumps blood which will enter the blood vessels to make the body function properly. A person can be said to have hypertension if the systolic blood pressure reading on the measurement for two consecutive days shows a result greater than 140 mmHg, and/or the diastolic blood pressure reading shows a result greater than 90 mmHg. Hypertension is often asymptomatic. If not treated quickly and appropriately, it can lead to other health problems. Among them heart disease and stroke. Hypertension is a disease characterized by high blood pressure. When it beats, the heart pumps blood which will enter the blood vessels to make the body function properly. A person can be said to have hypertension if the systolic blood pressure reading on the measurement for two consecutive days shows a result greater than 140 mmHg, and/or the diastolic blood pressure reading shows a result greater than 90 mmHg. Hypertension is often asymptomatic. If not treated quickly and appropriately, it can lead to other health problems. These include heart disease and stroke.

Who Can Get Hypertension?

With age, a person will have a higher chance of developing hypertension. Several factors can increase the risk of hypertension, namely:

1. Over 65 years of age.
2. Excessive consumption of high-salt foods.
3. Overweight or obesity.
4. There is a family history of the same medical condition.
5. Lack of fruit and vegetable intake.
6. Rarely exercise.
7. Consuming too many foods or drinks that contain caffeine.
8. Consuming alcoholic beverages.

Symptoms of Hypertension

A person suffering from hypertension will feel several symptoms that arise, including:

1. Headache;
2. Limp;
3. vision problems;
4. Chest pain;
5. Hard to breathe;
6. Irregular heartbeat.

Why are Hypertensive Patients Vulnerable to Corona Virus Infection?

COVID-19 can affect anyone regardless of age or gender. However, COVID-19 is known to be more at risk of attacking people with certain medical conditions. In this group, COVID-19 also tends to cause more severe complications and symptoms. Covid-19 easily attacks people with weak immune systems. The immune system of people with hypertension is definitely disturbed due to high blood pressure. The problem of chronic hypertension, especially among the elderly, will weaken the immune system so that it is unable to deal with viral infections. That's why people with high blood pressure are susceptible to being infected with the corona virus that causes Covid-19.

The public is advised to maintain blood pressure by monitoring it regularly so that blood pressure can be controlled and complications that can cause disability and death can be prevented as early as possible. This is important to do, especially in the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic, considering that high blood pressure or hypertension is one of the dangerous comorbidities for patients infected with the Covid-19 virus.

The American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines note that people with high blood pressure may be at risk for more severe complications if they are infected with the Covid-19 virus. The data found by Covid-19 patients who died in Indonesia also showed that they suffered the most from hypertension with comorbidities of other chronic diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and stroke.

How to prevent hypertensive patients from contracting COVID-19?

The soaring number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia requires that everyone must implement health protocols wherever they are, especially for people who do have a previous congenital disease, one of which is hypertension. Things that can be done are as follows:

1. Perform hand hygiene, wash hands in 6 steps and according to the indications for 5 moments for 20-30 seconds with hand sanitizer. Can also use running water and soap for 40-60 seconds.
2. Using a mask, make sure the mask covers the mouth, nose and chin. Make sure there are no gaps. Then, change the surgical mask every 4-6 hours or immediately if it is dirty/wet and does not touch the front of the mask or face.
3. Maintain a distance, must maintain a distance of at least 1-2 meters.
4. Avoid the crowd
5. Reducing mobility, mobilization or traveling only in an emergency or urgent need.
6. Maintain indoor air circulation
7. Carry out regular environmental cleaning
8. Increase endurance, eat nutritious food and get regular rest. In addition, for people with hypertension continue to control and take medication according to doctor's recommendations.
9. Change clothes, after traveling or coming home immediately change clothes.
10. Increase immunity, clean heart, always grateful and happy.

Hypertensive patients are advised to keep checking their blood pressure at home. Hermina Pandanaran Hospital provides a solution for patients to still be able to consult with doctors online using HALO HERMINA. Register and keep doing routine checks by using the HALO HERMINA application. Healthy with Hermina.