How have I only just realised DH is in the increased risk category?

[Makeitgoaway]

He's a middle aged, ex smoker (with occasional relapses he thinks I don't know about), sedentary job, medication for high blood pressure, slightly over weight. He's generally fit and well though, pretty good on a bike, although he doesn't do it very often, does a lot of walking on a usual work day but not since he's been wfh.

He's been doing the shopping to take care of the rest of us because that's what the caveman in him does. He's not going to be happy when I tell him I have to take over (and I dont relish the idea!)

Would you treat him as high risk?

No I wouldn’t class him as high risk

No I’d treat him as a normal man.

I don't think that puts him in the at risk category does it? Everyone I know over 70 takes blood pressure tablets but they are still not in a highly vulnerable group.

Not for corona particularly, but heart attack and stroke at some point. Perhaps this is the push he needs to see his 70’s fit and well

My dad has slight high blood pressure (has medication) and his doctor told him it’s fine. He is 60 though so is being careful, your DH though is probably totally fine. Obviously we’re all at risk but I wouldn’t consider him at an increased risk.

Why have you "suddenly realised" that he's in an "increased risk category"?

He doesn't sound like he is, afaics.

Sorry - misquoted you: "only just" not "suddenly".

But have you read some new information or something?

I think you mean he may be in the 'at risk' or vulnerable group rather than the shielding group.

This group only includes the following at present;
Aged 70 or over
chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
diabetes
problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
those who are pregnant

So he is not in any of those groups. Of course it sounds like he is not in perfect health so he should take care.

High blood pressure is actually the largest risk factor world wide. I have no idea why it isn’t on the UK increased risk list (possibly because it’s such a high percentage of the population that the increased risk group would become too large and meaningless).

www.thelancet.com/pb-assets/Lancet/pdfs/S014067362305663.pdf

Yes the increased risk group, not the shielded group. Which, it seems to me, are basically given the same advice as the shielded group but no support to do it, which is fine we cant shield everyone but it does seem that we as a family should be taking some extra precautions with him.

I've only just realised because I don't, on a daily basis, think about his health, it doesn't impact daily life. He's a bit over weight but certainly doesn't stand out as fat in the community. He takes a tablet for blood pressure every day. He officially gave up smoking 2 decades ago.

Interesting. So if the high blood pressure is controlled by medication is that still a high risk? Or just uncontrolled/undiagnosed high blood pressure?

My DH has high blood pressure and I was wondering if he’s still at risk considering his blood pressure has been brought down by medication.

Most people’s high blood pressure is controlled by medication, so it seems likely that there is an increased risk even where the high blood pressure is currently well controlled.

I'm in the at risk group and my consultant said work from home and self isolate as much as possible. So only go out for daily exercise. I've not been to a supermarket or anything. Which isn't that much different from the general population.

The shielding group can't even go for daily exercise and take extra precautions if going into the garden

I have asthma and don't consider myself to be high risk. It is well controlled and poses no issues to me day to day. I would say I was medium risk. I am still going out to do the shopping once a week as that is what I consider to be a reasonable level of risk for me. Surely as an adult he gets to set his one risk levels as long as he is not impacting you and your family?

Any chance his BP would come down if he lost weight? I know it doesn't work for everyone but might be worth a try.

Its apparently that the some of the drugs used to treat hypertension and diabetes - ace inhibitors increase the expression of ace2. Ace2 is thought to be the mechanism which allows the virus to attach.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30116-8/fulltext

The advice for the shielded group is not the same as the increased risk group OP.

So, if you want to shield him :
He cannot go out at all, other than in the garden, if you have one.
You cannot touch each other or sleep together.
Don't sit in the same room as each other.
Don't eat together.
Use separate bathrooms if you can. If not, clean the bathroom after every use.He should bathe/shower first.

So, good luck with that if you think he won't respond well to being told not to do the shopping!

I think from what I've read it's not high blood pressure per se that puts you at higher risk but the medication, in particular ACE inhibitors.

I wouldn't have said your DH is in a high risk category though OP