Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients
08:45

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients

Published on: April 18, 2025

823

Hypertension is a clinically important risk factor for critical illness and mortality in COVID-19: A meta-analysis

Yanbin Du1, Nan Zhou2, Wenting Zha2

  • 1MOE-LCSM, School of Mathematics and Statistics, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410081, China.

Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD
|February 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension significantly increases the risk of critical COVID-19 and mortality. This meta-analysis confirms hypertension as an independent risk factor for severe coronavirus disease-2019 outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hypertension is a common comorbidity potentially linked to adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
  • Previous studies suggest a correlation, but confounding factors necessitate further investigation into hypertension's independent role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if hypertension is an independent risk factor for critical illness and mortality in COVID-19 patients.
  • To quantify the risk associated with hypertension in the context of COVID-19 severity and fatality.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to November 2020.
  • Meta-analysis of 24 observational studies involving 99,918 COVID-19 patients.
  • Random-effects models used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs); subgroup and meta-regression analyses performed.

Main Results:

  • Hypertension prevalence was higher in critical COVID-19 (37%) and deceased patients (46%) compared to non-critical (18%) and survivor groups (22%).
  • Patients with hypertension showed a 1.82-fold increased risk for critical COVID-19 (aOR: 1.82) and a 2.17-fold increased risk for mortality (aOR: 2.17).
  • Subgroup analysis indicated higher risk for males and individuals over 60 years; meta-regression confirmed age's significant influence on the hypertension-mortality association.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension is an independent risk factor associated with significantly increased risks of critical COVID-19.
  • The findings highlight hypertension as a key predictor of severe outcomes and mortality in coronavirus disease-2019.
  • Age and sex are important covariates influencing the risk of severe COVID-19 in hypertensive patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19Critical illnessHypertensionMeta-analysisMortality

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction as an Antihypertensive Drug05:57

Author Spotlight: Exploring Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction as an Antihypertensive Drug

Published on: May 17, 2024

961
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis07:51

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

7.8K

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
191
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
331
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
331
Measurement of Blood Pressure01:17

Measurement of Blood Pressure

Assessing blood pressure is a standard procedure executed in virtually all medical environments. The method utilized today was established over a hundred years ago by an innovative Russian doctor, Dr. Nikolai Korotkoff. The soft ticking noise, known as Korotkoff sounds, heard while taking blood pressure readings results from turbulent blood flow within the vessels. The apparatus required for this procedure includes a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure cuff attached to a gauge, and a...
2.1K
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
3.5K
Hypertension V: Nursing Management01:23

Hypertension V: Nursing Management

The nursing management of hypertension involves accurately assessing symptoms, making a comprehensive nursing diagnosis, collaborating with patients to set goals, and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the condition's impact and improve patient well-being.Comprehensive AssessmentThe initial step in nursing care for hypertension involves a thorough patient assessment. It includes evaluating symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and previous hypertension episodes.
160