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Coincidence? Wearing mask brings on Afib & high blood pressure?
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: May 9, 2023 | Replies (53)Comment receiving replies
@diadem, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
Here is the link to the abstract to which you refer:
- Preliminary report on surgical mask induced deoxygenation during major surgery https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18500410/
It is important to note that the study was unable to conclude whether the change in the oxygen saturation of arterial pulsations (SpO2) was due to the facial mask or the operational stress.
Mayo Clinic has conducted research and determined mask wearing is critical to preventing COVID-19 infection.
- Mayo Clinic research confirms critical role of masks in preventing COVID-19 infection https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-research-confirms-critical-role-of-masks-in-preventing-covid-19-infection/
Naturally, there are people who find it challenging, if not impossible, to wear masks due to certain health conditions. Handwashing and distancing remain tactics that everyone can do to help save lives.
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I think there's likely a big difference between surgical masks and KN95 masks. I've worn both and surgical masks are much easier to breath through (and less protective against viruses). Thinking I was being "safer" if I wore a KN95 mask I discovered wearing it for 15 minutes increased my blood pressure by 25-35 points. From 135/80 to 170/100. My PCP insisted I have all kinds of tests and I resisted saying at home it averages 132/80. So it goes...I'm a difficult patient 🙁
I went home and tested my BP and hour later and it was 135/81. While I'm all for being careful in contracting Covid - staying home will be my default.