Long COVID can impact a wide range of bodily systems, including complications of the cardiovascular system. Symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath are indicators of damage to the heart muscle and blood vessels.
In this blog, we explore common symptoms, including the cardiovascular effects of long COVID. We also examine the role of physiotherapy in the assessment and treatment of clients with the condition.
Table of Contents
- What is Long COVID?
- Symptoms of Long COVID
- Cardiovascular Effects of Long COVID
- Long COVID Physiotherapy Assessment
- Long COVID Physiotherapy Treatment and Intervention
- Rebuilding Strength and Reclaiming Your Life
What is Long COVID?
After having Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), most people will feel better in a few weeks. Unfortunately, some people take a lot longer to get better. Having ongoing or new symptoms after COVID-19 infection is now widely recognised as long Covid.
Post COVID-19 Condition, or long COVID, usually appears within three months from the acute COVID-19 infection and lasts at least two months. Long COVID can occur in those who have been hospitalized for COVID 19, as well as those who have experienced mild symptoms. The symptoms can change, and even fluctuate over time.
Symptoms of Long COVID
Long COVID can include a wide range of symptoms that can last weeks, month or even years. Some of the most common symptoms include:[i]
- shortness of breath,
- cough,
- persistent fatigue,
- post-exertional malaise,
- difficulty concentrating,
- memory changes,
- recurring headache,
- light-headedness,
- fast heart rate,
- sleep disturbance,
- problems with taste or smell
- bloating
- constipation and diarrhea
Cardiovascular Effects of Long COVID
While Long COVID can affect a wide range of bodily systems, complications of the cardiovascular system can be disabling to the patient. Although the research is not conclusive, there is evidence to suggest that the initial COVID infection may cause inflammatory and immune responses.
Furthermore, this creates an imbalance in regulating systems leading to cardiovascular effects.[ii] All of this can lead to damaging effects on the heart muscle and blood vessels, manifesting as symptoms including:
- chest pain
- heart palpitations
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
Individuals with pre-existing cardiac conditions such as heart disease and previous heart attacks also have a greater risk of developing Long COVID symptoms.[iii] It is important to note that this is a highly dynamic field of research that continues to evolve.
Long COVID Physiotherapy Assessment
Dealing with long COVID can feel overwhelming because it affects so many parts of your body. That’s where physiotherapy comes in—it’s a key part of managing your symptoms and helping you feel better. At Propel Physiotherapy, we take a close look at all your symptoms to create a plan that’s just right for you.
First, we’ll figure out where you’re at by checking things like:
- Your fitness level – we might test how much oxygen your body can use during exercise (this helps us understand your energy levels).
- How your heart and blood pressure respond – whether you’re sitting, standing, or moving.
- Your endurance – like how far you can walk in 6 minutes.
- Your breathing – including oxygen levels and how hard it feels to breathe.
- Your strength – so we know where to focus to help you rebuild.
We’ll also ask how you’re feeling overall, because your experience matters just as much as the numbers. This helps us create a clear picture of where you’re starting and how we can help you move forward. Next, we can work together to create a personalized treatment plan to tackle long COVID and get you back to doing the things you love!
Long COVID Physiotherapy Treatment and Intervention
If you’re dealing with long COVID, physiotherapy can be a game-changer. Research shows it’s incredibly effective at helping manage symptoms of long COVID[iv] and getting you back to feeling like yourself.
At Propel Physiotherapy, we use proven techniques like:
- Graded aerobic exercise like walking or biking tailored to your pace
- Resistance training to rebuild your energy and stamina
- Breathing exercises to ease shortness of breath and improve lung function
- Practical tips on managing fatigue and conserving energy
In fact, we know from studies that physiotherapy has the ability to improve exercise capacity, shortness of breath, and quality of life for people suffering from long COVID.[v]
Rebuilding Strength and Reclaiming Your Life
Physiotherapy plays a vital role in helping individuals with long COVID regain function, manage symptoms, and improve their quality of life. By focusing on energy conservation, breathing techniques, strength and mobility training, and symptom-titrated rehabilitation, physiotherapists provide a tailored approach that respects each patient’s unique recovery journey.
As research continues to evolve, physiotherapists remain essential in guiding individuals through safe, effective rehabilitation while promoting long-term well-being. With the right support, those affected by Long COVID can work towards rebuilding strength, restoring independence, and reclaiming their daily lives.
References
[i] E. Wesley Ely, M.D., M.P.H. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3957-2172, Lisa M. Brown, M.P.H., and Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D., for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Examining the Working Definition for Long Covid*Author Info & Affiliations. Published July 31, 2024. N Engl J Med 2024;391:1746-1753, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsb2408466, VOL. 391 NO. 18. Copyright © 2024
[ii] Vasiliki Tsampasian, Maria Bäck, Marco Bernardi, Elena Cavarretta, Maciej Dębski, Sabiha Gati, Dominique Hansen, Nicolle Kränkel, Konstantinos C Koskinas, Josef Niebauer, Luigi Spadafora, Manuel Frias Vargas, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Vassilios S Vassiliou, Cardiovascular disease as part of Long COVID: a systematic review, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2024;, zwae070, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae070
[iii] Vasiliki Tsampasian, Maria Bäck, Marco Bernardi, Elena Cavarretta, Maciej Dębski, Sabiha Gati, Dominique Hansen, Nicolle Kränkel, Konstantinos C Koskinas, Josef Niebauer, Luigi Spadafora, Manuel Frias Vargas, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, Vassilios S Vassiliou, Cardiovascular disease as part of Long COVID: a systematic review, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2024;, zwae070, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwae070
[iv] Sánchez-García JC, Reinoso-Cobo A, Piqueras-Sola B, Cortés-Martín J, Menor-Rodríguez MJ, Alabau-Dasi R, Rodríguez-Blanque R. Long COVID and Physical Therapy: A Systematic Review. Diseases. 2023 Nov 9;11(4):163. doi: 10.3390/diseases11040163. PMID: 37987274; PMCID: PMC10660729.
[v] Pouliopoulou DV, Macdermid JC, Saunders E, et al. Rehabilitation Interventions for Physical Capacity and Quality of Life in Adults With Post–COVID-19 Condition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2333838. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33838
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