For higher-risk people, prior use of statins & BP meds associated with substantially better COVID outcomes ...

[Eddy Edson]

For people with existing CVD and/or hypertension.

(Recalling that there were questions at the beginning of the plague about whether some BP meds and statins might actually lead to worse COVID outcomes.)

Relation of prior statin and anti-hypertensive use to severity of disease among patients hospitalized with COVID-19: Findings from the American Heart Association’s COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry

Background Statins have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that may reduce the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in which organ dysfunction is mediated by severe inflammation. Large studies with diverse populations evaluating statin use and outcomes in COVID-19 are...

journals.plos.org

Background
Statins have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that may reduce the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in which organ dysfunction is mediated by severe inflammation. Large studies with diverse populations evaluating statin use and outcomes in COVID-19 are lacking.

Methods and results
We used data from 10,541 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 through September 2020 at 104 US hospitals enrolled in the American Heart Association’s COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Registry to evaluate the associations between statin use and outcomes. Prior to admission, 42% of subjects (n = 4,449) used statins (7% on statins alone, 35% on statins plus anti-hypertensives). Death (or discharge to hospice) occurred in 2,212 subjects (21%). Outpatient use of statins, either alone or with anti-hypertensives, was associated with a reduced risk of death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.59, 95% CI 0.50–0.69), adjusting for demographic characteristics, insurance status, hospital site, and concurrent medications by logistic regression. In propensity-matched analyses, use of statins and/or anti-hypertensives was associated with a reduced risk of death among those with a history of CVD and/or hypertension (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.58–0.81). An observed 16% reduction in odds of death among those without CVD and/or hypertension was not statistically significant.

Conclusions
Patients taking statins prior to hospitalization for COVID-19 had substantially lower odds of death, primarily among individuals with a history of CVD and/or hypertension. These observations support the continuation and aggressive initiation of statin and anti-hypertensive therapies among patients at risk for COVID-19, if these treatments are indicated based upon underlying medical conditions.

 

[mikeyB]

That’s interesting. I stopped statins about four years ago, not because of anything other than my cholesterol levels went down to something ridiculously low. They are still normal. And I’ve just stopped my BP tablets, because my BP is normal without. Both were decisions taken after discussion with GPs.

Being double vaccinated, I’m quite untroubled by the possibility of a minor dose of Covid, so will welcome my family back from Lanzarote at the weekend with the usual hugs and delight at taking their cat home, as she keeps walking over my computer keyboard.

 

[Felinia]

I too had a much missed tripe-writing cat!! The current one likes to burrow into my handbag! I had to stop taking statins, with GP approval, because over the very severe worsening side effects I put up with for over 18 months.

 

[Eddy Edson]

That’s interesting. I stopped statins about four years ago, not because of anything other than my cholesterol levels went down to something ridiculously low. They are still normal. And I’ve just stopped my BP tablets, because my BP is normal without. Both were decisions taken after discussion with GPs.

Being double vaccinated, I’m quite untroubled by the possibility of a minor dose of Covid, so will welcome my family back from Lanzarote at the weekend with the usual hugs and delight at taking their cat home, as she keeps walking over my computer keyboard.

So this study offers some comfort: no significant association between statin/antihypertenisve use and COVID mortality, if you don't have CVD or hypertension.

 

[Barfly]

I took statins for a few years after my heart attack in Aussie 2012, I stopped taking them because the lovely Jane said they changed my personality so much she considered leaving me. I was an angry nasty old man she said. I've always been a happy-go-lucky type until the statins. Luckily reverted to type and we celebrated (if you can call it a celebration with just our bubble) our golden wedding last year in the height of the pandemic.