Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/AMGmbjdWo-o   The CoVid19 virus uses the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 or ACE2 as a binding site to human cells in the lungs, heart, and kidneys.  The angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) used to lower blood pressure increase ACE2 levels and may be able to diminish the damage the virus creates in vital organs.   Clinicians from China and India observe that the ARB drugs losartan and telmisartan bind strongest to the angiotensin receptors and would be most effective against CoVid19.  Since these drugs are already FDA-approved, drug trials using them for treating CoVid19 may be launched.   If you are on an ARB, stay on it as such studies unfold but don’t switch to it yet!   https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ddr.21656   https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m406/rr-2   #covid19 #coronavirus #angiotensin #arb