For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Chest discomfort after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine causes patient concern
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In print
HEARTBEAT
Chest discomfort after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine causes patient concern
Wednesday 13 October 2021, 12:30 AM

Heartbeat ECG - supplied
Consultant cardiologist Chris Ellis discusses myocarditis/pericarditis, a rare side effect of COVID-19 vaccines that may worry some people
Key points, A normal blood troponin (T or I) test excludes a diagnosis of myocarditis.
For the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the chance of vaccine-induced m, Pract Green w Pale Yellow
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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References
- Kawakami R, Sakamoto A, Kawai K, et al. Pathological evidence for SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of myocarditis: JACC review topic of the week. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021;77(3):314–25.
- Paterson I, Ramanathan K, Aurora R, et al. Long COVID-19: A primer for cardiovascular health professionals, on behalf of the CCS Rapid Response Team. Can J Cardiol 2021;37(8):1260–62.
- WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. https://covid19.who.int
- Pepe S, Gregory AT, Denniss AR. Myocarditis, pericarditis and cardiomyopathy after COVID-19 vaccination. Heart Lung Circ 2021;30(10):1425–29.
- Medsafe. Adverse events following immunisation with COVID-19 vaccines: Safety Report #28 – 11 September 2021. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/safety-report-28.asp
- Ministry of Health. Clinicians reminded to be aware of myocarditis and pericarditis symptoms. 30 August 2021. www.health.govt.nz