Sleep disorders, cardiovascular symptoms and body weight dynamics in women with post-COVID-19 syndrome

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global health problem worldwide. The consequences of the new coronavirus infection continue to be studied. Cardiovascular symptoms and sleep disorders are among the dominant complaints in post-COVID-19 syndrome in women. Aim. To assess sleep disorders, cardiovascular symptoms, body weight dynamics and their statistical relationships in women with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Materials and methods. Using a voluntary anonymous questionnaire, we assessed cardiovascular symptoms, body weight dynamics and sleep disorders in 253 women of different age groups who had COVID-19 at least 12 weeks ago. The severity of dyspnea was assessed using the mMRC (Modified Medical Research Council) scale. Resting heart rate was measured. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using the StatPlus 2009 Professional program. Results and discussion. Among the manifestations of the cardiovascular system in post-COVID-19 syndrome in women of different age groups, palpitations, shortness of breath, and increased blood pressure predominate. There is a statistical pattern in the increased prevalence of rises in blood pressure in post-COVID-19 syndrome among women, depending on age. A variety of sleep disorders occur in all age groups of women, most often in the group of older women. Statistical relationships between sleep disorders and increased blood pressure, severity of dyspnea, palpitations in post-COVID-19 syndrome in women of different age groups were revealed. Severe dyspnea in post-COVID-19 syndrome was frequent noticed in older women. Weight loss in women with post-COVID-19 syndrome is associated with sleep disorders. Conclusions. Cardiovascular symptoms and sleep disorders in post-COVID-19 syndrome in women of different age groups are closely interrelated. The management of patients in post-COVID-19 syndrome should be carried out taking into account the diver-sity and interaction of various clinical manifestations. Correction of the identified violations should be comprehensive, based on an interdisciplinary approach of various specialists. © 2022, Remedium Group Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical Features of Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Since the implementation of the nationwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign, emergency departments (EDs) have had an increasing number of patients reporting postvaccination cardiovascular adverse effects. We investigated the clinical features of patients who visited the ED for cardiovascular adverse reactions after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study in two EDs. Patients with cardiovascular adverse reactions after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination who visited EDs between June 1, 2021, and October 15, 2021, were selected. The clinical data of these patients were collected by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: Among 683 patients, 426 (62.4%) were female. The number of patients in their 20s was the highest (38.9% of males, 28.2% of females) (P < 0.001). More patients visited the ED for adverse reactions following the first vaccine dose than following the second dose (67.6% vs. 32.2%). Chief complaints were chest pain/discomfort (74.4%), dyspnea (14.3%) and palpitation (11.3%). The final diagnosis was a nonspecific cause (63.1%), and 663 (97.1%) patients were discharged from the ED. The admission rate was higher in males than in females (3.9% vs. 1.9%). Myocarditis was diagnosed in four males, who showed mild clinical progression and were discharged within 5 hospital days. CONCLUSION: Most patients who visited the ED with cardiovascular adverse reactions were discharged from the ED, but some were admitted for other medical diseases as well as adverse vaccine reactions. Therefore, further surveillance and a differential diagnosis of cardiovascular adverse events after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination should be considered by emergency physicians.

The association of face mask use with self-reported cardiovascular symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Countries are mandating the use of face masks to stem the spread of COVID-19. Face mask use has been associated with discomfort due to its effects on thermoregulation, breathing and oxygenation. We evaluated the prevalence and severity of self-reported cardiovascular symptoms before and during face mask use. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 1001 participants residing in Singapore, who participated in a self-administered questionnaire between 25th April 2020 to 4th May 2020. Symptom severity before and during mask use and health-seeking behaviour information were collected. The study outcome was the self-reported worsening of cardiovascular symptoms, and its association with the type of mask worn, duration of mask worn per day, and intensity of physical activities during mask use. RESULTS: The commonest symptom reported during mask use was dyspnoea. Independent predictors for self-reported cardiovascular symptoms during mask use were moderate-high physical activity during mask use (OR 1.634, 95% CI 1.176-2.270, p=0.003), duration of mask use ≥3 hours (OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.189-2.352, p=0.003) and the type of mask used, after adjusting for age, sex, healthcare-based worker status and presence of comorbidities. N95 mask was associated with worse symptoms when compared to surgical mask. Participants with ≥3 worsening symptoms, or worsening dyspnoea, palpitations, fatigue and dizziness were more likely to seek medical help. CONCLUSION: Face mask use is proven to be an effective way in curbing COVID-19 transmission. However, participants in this study had concerns regarding its use and these concerns should be urgently addressed to enable mask-use policies to be enacted.