Cardio COVID-19 News
So You Think You Got Microchipped? Prove It!
2021 08 Jun
People around the world are getting the COVID-19 vaccine. There are four main options out there for those who want to be vaccinated - the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, the on-and-off Astra Zeneca vaccine and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. While most people are optimistic that mass vaccination will help the world... Read more
The Dilemma of Using Location-Based Terms for COVID-19 Variants
2021 01 Jun
With the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in India, talks of the “Indian variant” have been circulating over social media. However, this has offended the Indian government who is demanding that references to the Indian variant in media should be removed as it hurts the country’s image and is also not scientifically accurate. While media has not complied... Read more
Why Do We Keep Ignoring the World’s Leading Killer?
2021 01 Jun
High blood pressure is the world’s leading killer. It will kill more people than COVID-19, and, in usual circumstances, more than all infectious diseases combined. However, very little coverage or importance is given to this deadly condition, even though high blood pressure is a preventable risk factor. It can be prevented by reducing dietary sodium.... Read more
From an Epidemic of Fear to an Epidemic of Explanations
2021 21 May
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have moved through different phases as they battle this crisis. In the beginning, there was an epidemic of fear. People were worried and scared about this unknown virus and its incredibly high level of contagiousness. After that, when governments imposed lockdowns and restrictions, this fear quickly switched to... Read more
Needles or Fangs? COVID-19 Vaccine at Dracula’s Castle
2021 11 May
A COVID-19 vaccine centre has been set up at Dracula's castle in Transylvania. Healthcare professionals with fang stickers on their scrubs are providing Pfizer shots to everyone who visits Bran Castle in central Romania. The goal of operating a vaccination clinic on this site is to encourage Romanians to get the vaccine. Compared to global numbers,... Read more
Verdict: NSAIDS Do NOT Worsen COVID-19 Outcomes
2021 11 May
The verdict is in. Findings from the ISARIC CCP-UK (International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium Clinical Characterisation Protocol United Kingdom) study, the largest of its kind, show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, do not result in higher rates of death or disease severity in patients... Read more
High Vaccination Rate Key to Controlling the Pandemic
2021 04 May
New research shows the importance of a high rate of vaccination for reducing case numbers and controlling the pandemic. Data scientists from Mayo Clinic have developed highly accurate computer modeling to predict trends for COVID-19 cases. As per the findings of a study published n Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vaccination can help keep positive... Read more
Risk Factors for COVID-19: Type II Diabetes, High BMI
2021 06 Apr
As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, researchers have found associations between certain lifestyle factors and a person's risk of getting infected. While it has already been established that those with Type II diabetes and a high body mass index (BMI) are at greater risk of experiencing hospitalisations and other severe complications related to COVID-19,... Read more
Texas Ends COVID-19 Lockdown
2021 04 Mar
Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, celebrated Texas Independence Day on March 2 by announcing the end of COVID-19 lockdown. The Governor has officially declared that statewide COVID-19 restrictions will end in Texas effective March 10 . All businesses - restaurants, cinemas, bars, bowling alleys, etc., will no longer have to follow occupancy limits... Read more
The Vaccination Nightmare: Delay, Skip, One-Dose, Two-Dose ..... !
2021 02 Mar
People across the world heaved a sigh of relief when the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved. But, as is human nature, happy news is typically followed by debate, controversy, ifs and buts and what-nots. The COVID-19 vaccine is no different. As the distribution of Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines began across the world, so did the debate... Read more
Two-Thirds COVID-19 Hospitalisations Due to Four Conditions
2021 02 Mar
Findings from a new study show that a majority of adult COVID-19 hospitalisations are attributable to one of four pre-existing conditions. These include obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure, in that order. The study is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers used a mathematical simulation to estimate... Read more
2021: Year of the Health and Care Workers
2021 11 Feb
The year 2021 has been declared the International Year of Health and Care Workers (YHCW). This is in appreciation of the commitment and dedication of all healthcare workers around the globe as they continue to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a year-long campaign. The theme of this campaign... Read more
Sudden Cardiac Arrest More Often Fatal in People with COVID-19
2021 08 Feb
Findings from a new survey published in the European Heart Journal show that sudden cardiac arrest is more often fatal in people with COVID-19. These results should be a wake-up call for the public as well as care providers. The survey covered 3026 cases of sudden cardiac arrest reported to the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation... Read more
Interconnection of Obesity, Metabolic Health and COVID-19
2021 25 Jan
According to new findings, obesity and cardiometabolic diseases not only trigger a more severe course of COVID-19, but the infection itself could promote the development of these conditions. In a new article, authors from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) highlight the interconnection of obesity and impaired metabolic health with the... Read more
Keep that Stethoscope!
2021 20 Jan
The COVID-19 outbreak has made it necessary for doctors to ensure the safety of staff during airway management of patients. However, recently a paper was published that suggested less use of the stethoscope and more ultrasound. This viewpoint could mislead doctors to abandon their stethoscopes for several reasons. First, many doctors were infected... Read more
COVID-19 and Higher Mortality in Acute Heart Failure Patients
2021 20 Jan
Patients with acute heart failure nearly double their risk of dying if they get COVID-19, according to new research published in ESC Heart Failure . These findings highlight the need for patients with heart failure to take extra precautions to avoid catching COVID-19. According to lead investigator, Dr. Amardeep Dastidar, a consultant interventional... Read more
COVID-19: Do No Harm or Do Maximal Good?
2020 12 Oct
The "Do no harm" rule is encoded in the Hippocratic oath taken by physicians when they graduate. But this rule has taken on a whole different meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these times, the maximisation principle has proven to be the foundation of healthcare decisions, where actions are taken based on benefits to the greatest number of people.... Read more
Influenza Vaccination to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in COVID-19 Patients
2020 12 Oct
According to a state-of-the-art review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, seasonal influenza vaccine development and the findings of three international influenza cardiovascular outcomes trials that are currently underway could provide more information regarding the development and effectiveness of vaccine strategies for... Read more
World Heart Day 2020 - Use Heart to Beat Cardiovascular Disease
2020 28 Sep
On World Heart Day this year (29 September), the World Heart Federation (WHF) cautions heart patients to be aware of COVID-19 and its impact on the heart. According to the WHF, COVID-19 is creating a perfect storm for heart health. Three factors are contributing to this: 1. People with COVID-19 and heart disease are at the highest risk of death... Read more
COVID-19 Induced Heart Damage May Improve With Time
2020 18 Sep
Some patients infected with COVID-19 suffer from lung and heart damage. Some of these patients require admission to the ICU with support from mechanical ventilation and the use of inotropic medications. Even after discharge, some of these patients remain symptomatic. However, findings from a new study show that even though some patients with COVID... Read more