Scientists claimed people with diabetes and high blood pressure could be at increased risk of severe coronavirus symptoms due to how their drugs work.

Medicines ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may change the shape of a person’s cells. This makes it easier for the virus to infect them and cause more fatal or severe symptoms.

The drugs are prescribed for treating high blood pressure or diabetes and around 6.6 million in the UK take them daily.

But doctors warned that people who take these medicines shouldn’t stop doing so but they must consult their doctors for any concerns.

Scientists said the research doesn’t prove a link between severe COVID-19 and the medications. However, a possible connection must be studied.

Other risk factors for severe or fatal infection include heart disease and age (over 80s are more likely to succumb to the disease). People with compromised immune system or patients with long-term lung problems are also at a higher risk.

Published by scientists at the University of Thessaloniki in Greece and University Hospital Basel in Switzerland, the article explains that the coronavirus sticks to cells and attacks them, latching onto angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2).

Some patients with diabetes or high blood pressure take drugs which also increase their levels of ACE 2 to control the illness.

“These data suggest that ACE2 expression is increased in diabetes and treatment with ACE inhibitors and ARBs increases ACE2 expression,” the researchers wrote.

“Consequently, the increased expression of ACE2 would facilitate infection with COVID-19.

“We therefore hypothesise that diabetes and hypertension [high blood pressure] treatment with ACE2-stimulating drugs increases the risk of developing severe and fatal COVID-19.

“If this hypothesis were to be confirmed, it could lead to a conflict regarding treatment.”

Professor Tim Chico of the University of Sheffield said of the article: “This letter does not report the results of a study; it simply raises a possible question about whether a type of blood pressure and heart disease medication called ACE inhibitors might increase the chances of severe COVID19 infections.

“It does not give any evidence that confirms this, simply it suggests such a relationship should be looked for.

“It is very important that this letter is not interpreted or reported as saying that ACE inhibitors are proven to worsen COVID19 disease.

“I strongly advise anyone on heart medications not to stop or change these without discussion with their doctor.”

Dr. Dipender Gill from Imperial College NHS Trust also said: “Evidence is currently lacking and it is too early to make robust conclusions on any link between use of ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II type-I receptor blockers with risk or severity of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

“Furthermore, the acute implications of stopping such medications in relation to effects on risk or severity of COVID-19 infection are not known.

“Patients should be advised to follow public health guidance rather than alter their medications without proper and informed consultation with their medical doctor.”

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