Mar 30 2020
Q: Just checking. Am I on an ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitor? They are saying lot of people dying with virus on these? Don’t think I am?
A: Hi, yes you are on an ACE inhibitor - Perindopril! You are also on ARB (angiotensin Receptor Blocker). The information regarding increased risk of dying from COVID-19 while on these medications is incorrect. Actually, you are better protected than anybody because:
ACE is elevated in many lung diseases and blocking it is one of the strategies to treat these;
Receptors to which virus attaches are blocked by ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blocker) Losartan.
Addtionally, I think the reports are misguided because they do not account for the fact these people might have had pre-existing lung disease - undiagnosed, and because stopping these drugs may lead to uncontrolled hypertension and its consequences like stroke, hear attack and heart failure.