Hypertension, Obesity, and COVID-19: a Collision of Pandemics

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To highlight the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hypertension and obesity in COVID-19 infection RECENT FINDINGS: Hypertension and obesity have emerged as significant risk factors for contracting the COVID-19 virus and the subsequent severity of illness. ACE2 receptor expression and dysregulation of the RAAS pathway play important roles in the pathophysiology of these associations, as do the pro-inflammatory state and cytokine dysregulation seen in obesity. Some of these patterns have also been seen historically in other viral illnesses. SUMMARY: Understanding the mechanisms behind the associations between COVID-19, hypertension, and obesity is important in developing effective targeted therapies and monitoring vaccine response and efficacy. More research is needed to apply our growing knowledge of the pathophysiology of COVID-19, hypertension, and obesity to prevention and treatment. Interventions focusing on lifestyle modification in managing hypertension and obesity can potentially have a positive impact on containing this pandemic and future viral illness outbreaks.