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 coronavirus disease 2019 (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 1,001 participants residing in Singapore, who participated in a self-administered questionnaire between 25 April 2020 and 4 May 2020. Symptom severity before and during mask use, and health-seeking behaviour information were collected. The study outcome was 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 most common 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 (odds ratio [OR] 1.634, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.176-2.270, P = 0.003), duration of mask use for ≥3 h (OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.189-2.352, P = 0.003) and 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 has been 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.

The Prevalence of Electronic Cigarette Use Among College Students of Taibah University and Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease

Background

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been increasing in popularity among young adults due to the misconception about the safety of e-cigarettes. Our study aims to identify the prevalence rate of e-cigarette use among college students, the reason behind their use, and the relationship between the use of electronic cigarettes and cardiovascular symptoms among college students.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to students of Taibah University between 2021 and 2022. Data from this survey were analyzed to obtain the prevalence of e-cigarette use among Taibah University students and to compare the demographic and health characteristics differences between e-cigarette users and non-users. The prevalence of cardiovascular symptoms was also compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 519 students participated in this study. The prevalence rate of e-cigarette use was 24%. Compared to non-users, e-cigarette users were more likely to be male (71% vs. 40%, p < 0.01), overweight (44% vs. 32%, p = 0.01), and drug users (4% vs. 1%, p = 0.01). E-cigarette users were likelier to complain of cardiovascular symptoms, including chest pain (19% vs. 10%, p = 0.01), shortness of breath (14% vs. 7%, p = 0.02), and palpitation (12% vs. 6%, p = 0.03). The association between e-cigarette use and cardiovascular symptoms was significant even after adjusting for students' characteristics. Students' main reasons for e-cigarette use were to enjoy the flavors of e-cigarettes, quit tobacco smoking, and improve depression.

Conclusion

The prevalence rate of e-cigarette use among college students was 24%. The self-reported cardiovascular disease symptoms rate was doubled among e-cigarette users compared to non-users.

Prevalence of cold-related symptoms among Thai chicken meat industry workers: association with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing

This study determined the association of cold-related symptoms with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing among Thai chicken industry workers. Three hundred workers were interviewed regarding cold-related symptoms, which were regressed on worksite temperature and protective clothing. In total, 80% of workers reported respiratory symptoms; 23%, cardiac symptoms; 62%, circulation disturbances; 42%, thirst; 56%, drying of the mouth; and 82%, degradation of their performance. When adjusted for personal characteristics, respiratory symptoms were 1.1‒2.2 times more prevalent at -22‒10°C than at 10‒23°C. At -22‒10°C, cardiac symptoms increased by 45%, chest pain by 91%, peripheral circulation disturbances by 25%, and drying of the mouth by 57%. Wearing protective clothing with at least 1.1 clo units was associated with marked reductions in symptom prevalence. Therefore, temperatures lower than 10°C increased prevalence of cold-related symptoms, which are largely preventable by appropriate clothing use.

Nitric Oxide and Related Aspects Underlying Angina

Increased number of patients affected by metabolic syndrome (MS) has prompted the necessity of better understanding what is involved in such syndrome. Nevertheless, the establishment of promising therapies depends on the knowledge about the interaction of molecules within MS. In such context, Nitric Oxide (NO) emerges from a bulk of works relating its roles on aspects of MS, including cardiovascular diseases, their symptoms and comorbidities, which are thought to be triggered by similar sources. NO, nitric oxide synthase and enzymatic chains are keys for those disease and symptoms processes. NO has been separately described as part of hypertensive, ischemic and pain signaling. Although there are similar pathways likely shared for generating cardiovascular symptoms such angina, they are barely associated to NO in literature. The present review aims to clarify the patterns of NO alteration in metabolic syndrome directly concerned to cardiovascular symptoms, especially angina.