What is the role of RAS inhibitors in patients with COVID-19

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There have been concerns about patients on ACE- inhibitors or ARBs and that they may be at a higher risk of being infected with SARS-COV-2. The proposed mechanism being that ACE2 receptors may be up-regulated in patients with RAS blockade, making them more susceptible to the virus. There is no clear evidence for this and the guidelines of the European Society  of Hypertension currently does not  recommend taking patients off RAS inhibitors at the current time. Bear in mind, that these drugs themselves have shown to significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality. This subject is being studied intensively and there may be changes in recommendations. 

Read this interesting article on ACE1 and ACE2 receptors and thoughts regarding SARS-CoV-2: https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2020/03/17/angiotensin-and-the-coronavirus