Resources

The safety of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors in COVID-19 is still being debated. A probable link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and COVID-19 has recently been discovered in investigations. This article seeks to summarize the evidence on the use of RAS inhibitors in COVID-19-positive CVD patients, with an emphasis on RAS inhibitor safety and its link to COVID-19. RAS inhibitors may be indicated for chronic heart failure or chronic renal disease, in which case self-discontinuation of these medicines without first consulting a physician could result in disintegration within days to weeks, severely reducing cardiopulmonary reserve in COVID-19 patients. Other antihypertensive medications for these illnesses may not be able to replicate the benefits of ACE inhibitors/ARBs. While no data on the effect of temporarily stopping RAS medications on mortality in COVID-19 patients has been revealed, information extrapolated from other patient scenarios suggests harm.