BSH & BCS Joint statement on ACEi or ARB in relation to COVID-19

Publish date:
BCS Announcement

The British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) together with the British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) released a joint statement today with regards to treatment with ACEi or ARB in relation to COVID-19

Signed by Prof Simon Ray, President of the BCS and Dr Simon Williams, Chair of the BSH the statement speaks of discussions in both in the press and on social media that the possibility that treatment with ACEi or ARB could predispose individuals to adverse outcomes should they become infected with COVID-19.

It goes on to highlight that the  view of the BCS and the BSH is that:

'there is no evidence to support this assertion'

and that both organisations

'share the view of the European Society of Hypertension and the Renal Association that patients should continue treatment with ACEi and ARB unless specifically advised to stop by their medical team.'

It recommends that patients taking these drugs and presenting unwell with suspected or known COVID-19 infection should be assessed on an individual basis and their medication managed according to established guidance (Heart 2019;105:904-10).

Read the full statement here.

Renal Association UK Position statements on:

COVID-19 and ACE Inhibitor/Angiotensin Receptor Blocker use
For patients: novel corona virus infection and the use of blood pressure medications

ESC Council on Hypertension (ECH)/ ESH position on:
Hypertension on ACE-Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers