A study evaluated the association between use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors—ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics—and the risk of Covid-19 infection and severe illness in patients tested for the virus. The study included 12,594 patients tested for Covid-19 between March 1 and April 15, 2020, in New York City. Among them, 5894 (46.8%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 1002 (17.0%) experiencing severe illness. Patients with hypertension, which was present in 4357 (34.6%), had 2573 (59.1%) positive tests, with 634 (24.6%) experiencing severe illness. The study used Bayesian methods to compare outcomes between patients who had been treated with these medications and those who had not, after propensity-score matching. No significant association was found between any of the medication classes and an increased likelihood of a positive test or severe illness. The results suggest that RAAS inhibitors do not increase the risk of Covid-19 infection or severe illness in patients who tested positive. The study also found that beta-blockers were associated with a slightly lower likelihood of a positive test, though this was not statistically significant. However, the study did not find a similar effect with ACE inhibitors or ARBs. The researchers concluded that there is no substantial increase in the risk of Covid-19 or severe illness associated with these common antihypertensive medications. The findings suggest that patients and providers can continue using these medications without concern for increased risk of Covid-19. The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between antihypertensive medications and Covid-19 outcomes, especially given the high prevalence of hypertension.A study evaluated the association between use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors—ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics—and the risk of Covid-19 infection and severe illness in patients tested for the virus. The study included 12,594 patients tested for Covid-19 between March 1 and April 15, 2020, in New York City. Among them, 5894 (46.8%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 1002 (17.0%) experiencing severe illness. Patients with hypertension, which was present in 4357 (34.6%), had 2573 (59.1%) positive tests, with 634 (24.6%) experiencing severe illness. The study used Bayesian methods to compare outcomes between patients who had been treated with these medications and those who had not, after propensity-score matching. No significant association was found between any of the medication classes and an increased likelihood of a positive test or severe illness. The results suggest that RAAS inhibitors do not increase the risk of Covid-19 infection or severe illness in patients who tested positive. The study also found that beta-blockers were associated with a slightly lower likelihood of a positive test, though this was not statistically significant. However, the study did not find a similar effect with ACE inhibitors or ARBs. The researchers concluded that there is no substantial increase in the risk of Covid-19 or severe illness associated with these common antihypertensive medications. The findings suggest that patients and providers can continue using these medications without concern for increased risk of Covid-19. The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between antihypertensive medications and Covid-19 outcomes, especially given the high prevalence of hypertension.