[pilowsky]

There have been conflicting reports in the literature, and the lay press, about certain medications and COVID19.
This is an important illustration of why you should not try to be an internet doctor.

Mr Google is wrong. In this case, so may be some Journals. It will not be the first (or last) time.

Even though some reports say that angiotensin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors may worsen COVID19, this turns out not to be true.
These drugs are mainstays of treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension).

The metabolic syndrome - syndrome X - is a cluster that features four main problems:

• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Bad lipids (eg high cholesterol)

Walk into any Bridge Club and lots of the people that are there will be taking (or should be taking) drugs for one of these problems. Many may be over their ideal weight.
Covid19 is significantly worse in people with these problems.


Taking antihypertensive drugs and all of your other medications and staying away from social groups until a vaccine is available is a good idea.
Otherwise, you are placing yourself, and people that other people care about, at risk.