Although obesity is often associated with other health problems, doctors say they were impressed with the strength with which COVID-19 affects even obese patients who have no other underlying diseases.
“I think that one [health condition] what really stood out is obesity, “said Jakob McSparron, MD, an intensive care physician at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan.” In particular, it seems that obesity among younger patients is a notable risk factor.
Why it is dangerous with COVID-19: Obesity can hinder the expansion of a person’s lungs, impairing breathing and oxygenation. In addition, extra fat, especially around the belly, is linked to chronic inflammation that can weaken the immune response. Obesity is also believed to increase the risk of blood clots.
What can you do: Because the risk of complications from COVID-19 is directly related to your BMI, if you are among the 42 percent of obese Americans, even a small weight loss can make a difference, said cardiologist Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, dean of the School of Nutrition Science and Policy Tufts Friedman.
“It takes weeks, not years,” he said. “It is very well documented that even losing 2.5 kilos makes a difference in your metabolic health. With some minor lifestyle changes – eat a little healthier, exercise a little more, sleep more – you could plausibly reduce your risk of serious illness with COVID-19. “
High risk condition: high blood pressure
What do the numbers say: When researchers looked at 22 studies from eight countries last year, they found that hypertension was present in 42 percent of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, making it the most prevalent health condition by far. Even more impressive: these patients had twice the risk of death compared to patients without hypertension, said Vikramaditya Samala Venkata, MD, one of the study’s authors and a doctor at the Cheshire Medical Center hospital in Keene, NH
The news is not all bad, however. The COVID-19 Clinical Infectious Disease study found that hypertension alone increased the mortality rate only for those under 40, said study author Anthony Harris, MD, an epidemiologist at the University of Maryland. .
For those aged 40 and over, the risk of mortality increased only if high blood pressure had caused a complication, such as heart damage or chronic kidney disease.
Why it is dangerous with COVID-19: Experts believe that COVID-19 damages the cells that line blood vessels, causing clots and hindering the transport of oxygen.
What can you do: Follow your doctor’s advice to keep your blood pressure in check. Studies show that patients with unregulated hypertension are at higher risk for COVID-19 compared to patients taking medications to control it.