Researchers know generally that infections can take a toll on people who have other health problems. But SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may pose particular danger to the heart because of how the virus gets into cells, researchers speculate.Considering the involvement of ACE2, COVID-19 may damage the heart directly, researchers write in a commentary in Nature Reviews Cardiology March 5. According to studies out of Wuhan, China, where the outbreak started, some people with COVID-19 have developed myocardial injury, the death of heart cells for reasons other than a heart attack.
Until there’s more research, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America are advising people with hypertension, cardiovascular disease or heart failure to continue taking these medications. For those who develop COVID-19, the condition of the individual patient should be considered to determine whether it’s necessary to stop the drugs, the groups recommended in a statement released March 17.