Can blood pressure medications affect COVID-19 outcomes?

PHILADELPHIA—Medications to treat high blood pressure did not affect outcomes among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, found an international team led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

What medications should be avoided before the COVID-19 vaccine?

It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine – such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen – before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.

Are patients with hypertension at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?

Hypertension is more frequent with advancing age and among non-Hispanic blacks and people with other underlying medical conditions such as obesity and diabetes. At this time, people whose only underlying medical condition is hypertension might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Can statins reduce the risk of serious COVID-19 disease among those with heart disease or high blood pressure?

In an analysis of more than 10,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients across the United States, the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as statins, prior to admission was associated with a more than 40% reduction in in-hospital death, and a greater than 25% reduction in the risk of developing a severe outcome.

What are some medications that are safe to take with the COVID-19 vaccine?

Taking one of the following medications is not, on its own, a reason to avoid getting your COVID-19 vaccination:

• Over-the-counter medications (non-prescription)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.)

COVID-19 Treatment

Do I need to discontinue my medications after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

For most people, it is not recommended to avoid, discontinue, or delay medications that you are routinely taking for prevention or treatment of other medical conditions around the time of COVID-19 vaccination.

Should I take an antihistamine before the COVID-19 vaccine?

It is also not recommended to take antihistamines before getting a COVID-19 vaccine to try to prevent allergic reactions.

Is having a heart condition considered as high risk for COVID-19?

Having heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, and possibly high blood pressure (hypertension) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

What are some of the things you can do to lower your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19?

• Wash your hands well and often. Use hand sanitizer when you’re not near soap and water.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Wear a face mask when you go out.
• Follow your community guidelines for staying home.
• When you do go out in public, leave at least 6 feet of space between you and others.

Which organ system is most often affected by COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs).

Who is most at risk for the coronavirus disease?

Older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than the number of deaths among people ages 18-29 years.

Which groups of people are at increased risks of severe illness from COVID-19?

Among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die. People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are also at increased risk for severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Can taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) before the COVID-19 vaccine reduce its effectiveness?

Because taking over-the-counter painkillers before getting vaccinated may reduce the responsiveness of your immune system and therefore weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine, the CDC does not recommend taking Tylenol or ibuprofen before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is it safe to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen before a COVID-19 vaccine?

Because of the lack of high-quality studies on taking NSAIDs or Tylenol before getting a vaccine, the CDC and other similar health organizations recommend not taking Advil or Tylenol beforehand.

Is taking aspirin before the COVID-19 vaccination a reason to avoid getting your shot?

Taking one of the following medications is not, on its own, a reason to avoid getting your COVID-19 vaccination: Over-the-counter medications (non-prescription) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)

What is the best way to protect me from COVID-19?

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself from Delta, Omicron, or any COVID-19 variant is to get fully vaccinated, the doctors say.

How can I avoid COVID-19 infection?

To avoid SARS-CoV-2 infection:

• get vaccinated against COVID-19
• keep your distance from others (ideally two metres)
• avoid large gatherings
• wear a mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible
• regularly wash and sanitise your hands
• open the windows regularly, if possible, to improve ventilation.

The use of face masks in public indoor settings (e.g. supermarkets, shops and public transport) and in crowded outdoor situations is strongly advised in areas with more COVID-19 cases and when physical distancing cannot be guaranteed.

How can you protect yourself and others from COVID-19?

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people outside your home. Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms' length) from others.

Wear a mask in public, even if you don't feel sick.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe if you have heart problems?

Not only are the vaccines safe for people with a history of heart disease, they are essential. People with heart disease are at increased risk of severe complications from COVID-19.

What are some of the issues that COVID-19 infection can cause to the heart and blood vessels?

Coronavirus infection also affects the inner surfaces of veins and arteries, which can cause blood vessel inflammation, damage to very small vessels and blood clots, all of which can compromise blood flow to the heart or other parts of the body.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for cardiac patients?

As a heart patient, you should have no concerns about the speed with which the vaccines were developed. The Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were tested on a very large number of patients and shown to be safe and effective.

Can you take Tylenol or Advil after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, it's perfectly fine to take Tylenol or Advil after the COVID-19 vaccine. This is recommended by experts because it can help ease the side effects you might experience.

What should I do if I am allergic to the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you aren't able to get one type of COVID-19 vaccine because you are allergic to an ingredient in that vaccine, ask your doctor if you should get a different type of COVID-19 vaccine.

How soon does anaphylaxis happen after COVID-19 vaccine?

Symptoms of anaphylaxis often occur within 15-30 minutes of vaccination, though it can sometimes take several hours for symptoms to appear.