This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Published on August 5, 2020, a study in Germany revealed a concerning trend among Covid-19 patients: heart muscle problems.
Researchers at University Hospital Frankfurt conducted MRI tests on 100 patients aged 45 to 53, finding that 78 had inflammation in the heart muscle and lining. This was a significant majority, with 67 patients recovering at home and 33 requiring hospitalization.
Even two months after diagnosis, half of the patients still experienced shortness of breath and exhaustion, and 71 had blood markers indicating heart muscle damage. Compared to similar individuals without Covid-19, the recovered patients' hearts pumped more weakly and displayed risk factors for heart failure.
Dr. Valentina Puntmann suspects that these abnormalities may be signs of permanent problems. While there is no direct evidence yet, she warns that the burden of heart damage could be enormous in the years to come.
Meanwhile, researchers in Australia have found that do-it-yourself face masks can be effective at blocking virus-containing droplets if made with multiple layers of fabric. A study in the journal Thorax found that masks with two or three layers were more effective than those with a single layer, and that the number of layers had a trade-off between protection and breathability.
Study co-author Raina MacIntyre advises using fabrics with high thread count and fine weave, and an outer layer made of water-resistant material like polyester.
