Millions worldwide suffer serious heart complications linked to COVID-19 and long COVID, but many lack access to clear medical guidance, leading some patients to unsafe treatments. A new comprehensive report published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology lays out evidence-based recommendations to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate cardiovascular damage from COVID, while emphasizing the importance of vaccination and addressing gaps in research.
Developed by a panel of European experts under the European Society of Cardiology, led by Professor Vassilios Vassiliou from the University of East Anglia, the clinical consensus statement highlights COVID’s lasting impact on heart health. Complications arise from the initial infection, during recovery, and even after reinfections or vaccination. Without clear guidance, patients face dangers, and clinicians encounter uncertainty. The statement aims to provide unified, practical strategies for prevention and long-term management.
The expert group reviewed all current research on COVID-19’s cardiovascular effects, including risks from acute infection, long COVID symptoms, and vaccination outcomes. With nearly one billion confirmed infections worldwide, and many more unreported, studies show that COVID survivors, especially previously hospitalized patients, have increased risks of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, heart failure, and cardiovascular death.
Approximately 100 million people live with long COVID, with around 5 million experiencing cardiac-related symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and dizziness. Long COVID can also disrupt autonomic nervous system functions controlling heart rate and body temperature.
The report strongly recommends ongoing COVID vaccination, noting fully vaccinated individuals have significantly lower risks of developing cardiac complications or long COVID, even if infected. It advises thorough evaluation and treatment of symptoms like chest pain and fainting, and promotes structured cardiac rehabilitation programs with specialized physiotherapy to support recovery and prevent chronic heart problems.
Professor Vassiliou emphasized, “COVID isn’t just a lung disease—it also harms the heart and blood vessels, causing symptoms like chest pain and fatigue that may signal cardiac long COVID. People with existing heart conditions face heightened risks both during acute infection and afterward. Rehabilitation offers vital protection and aids healing.”
The experts also call for equitable access to cardiac rehabilitation, especially in underserved rural areas, highlighting current shortages in rehabilitation capacity across Europe. They urge financial investment to expand services and ensure fair care access. With cardiac long COVID continuing to diminish patients’ quality of life, the report stresses the need for vaccination, lifestyle prevention programs, rehabilitation access, and further research to guide health systems in managing this ongoing challenge.
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