Table 1.

Available evidence summarises hypertension and COVID-19 findings derived from original studies and statements based on the expert opinion following the GRADE rating system.

Study conclusions	Evidence grade	Ref.
ACEI/ARBs increase ACE2 receptor expression; SARS-CoV-2 might utilise this increase to result in severe disease	A	[6]
Severely ill male patients with heart injury, hyperglycemia, and high-dose corticosteroid use may have a higher risk of death	B	[7]
The use of ACEI and/or ARBs can increase the risk of severity of COVID-19	A	[8]
Comorbidities such as COPD, diabetes, hypertension, and malignancy predispose individuals with COVID-19 to adverse clinical outcomes	A	[9]
Does not support discontinuation of ACEI/ARB medications that are clinically indicated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic	B	[10]
A significant difference in the use of ACEI/ARB among patients with different severities of the disease	B	[11]
ACEI/ARBs reduce IL-6 and increase CD3 and CD8, thus reducing COVID-19 severity; ACEI and ARBs are beneficial in COVID-19	A	[12]
AT1R blockers, including ARBs, can help reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality	A	[13]
Animal data: increasing ACE2 expression can help protect against pulmonary and cardiovascular hazards; recommend continuing the use of ACEI and ARBs to manage hypertension in COVID-19 patients	A	[14]
RAAS inhibitors were shown to be possibly associated with a lower risk of mortality	B	[15]