Adjunctive use of statins for COVID-19

Abstract

The interaction between obesity, cardiometabolic disorders and COVID-19 represents a syndemic that requires both social intervention and a multipharmacological approach. The risks associated with diabetes, obesity and hypertension for severe COVID-19 may be confounded by the type of medication for these cardiometabolic factors. Furthermore, endothelial dysfunction is a common feature of the key comorbidities that increase risk for severe COVID-19 such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease or heart failure. Among the drugs used to manage hypertension and diabetes mellitus are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and statins, all of which are known to improve endothelial dysfunction.