Clinical aspects of hypertensive patients infected with the Covid-19 virus in a Brazilian municipality.

Abstract

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted global public health. Hypertensive patients have been identified as a high-risk group due to inflammatory and cardiovascular changes that increase disease severity. Objective: To investigate the clinical aspects of hypertensive patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the municipality of Cuité, Paraíba. Methods: A quantitative, exploratory, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 65 hypertensive patients receiving primary healthcare. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Spearman’s correlation and multinomial logistic regression. Results: The majority of participants were female (81,5%), with an average age of 58,65 years. Stage I hypertension was the most prevalent (55%). In addition to hypertension, 29% of patients had diabetes, and 23% were obese. A correlation was identified between advanced age, a higher number of comorbidities, and a greater number of Covid-19 vaccine doses, with vaccines reducing reinfection. Discussion: Aging and the presence of comorbidities influenced Covid-19 severity. Patients with advanced-stage hypertension had a higher risk of complications. Conclusion: Hypertension affected the severity of Covid-19 infection, particularly in elderly individuals. Continuous monitoring strategies are essential to reducing complications in these patients.

Keywords: Hypertension. SARS-CoV-2. Comorbidities.