SAN ANTONIO — We've heard over the past few years that COVID can have long-lasting effects on the heart. By now we know that once contracting COVID, no matter how severe, many are suffering long COVID symptoms months or even years later.
THE QUESTION
Is it true that COVID can be a trigger for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, also known as POTS?
THE SOURCES
- Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, a professor and chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at UT Health San Antonio
- The National Institutes of Health
- Dr. Alan Kwan, a cardiologist from Cedars-Sinai
THE ANSWER
TRUE
WHAT WE FOUND
Dr. Verduzco-Gutierrez told us, "Yes. So it is known that COVID can be a trigger for POTS. I work with my neurology and cardiology colleagues as well, so we take care of several patients that have pods as a result of having COVID 19 infection."
The National Institutes of Health found there was close to a 100 percent increase in those developing POTS after a COVID diagnosis.
The study's author, Dr. Alan Kwan, also said: "Preventing COVID-19 through vaccination is still the best way to reduce your risk of developing POTS."
So yes, it is true. COVID can be a trigger for the disease known as POTS.
Dr. Verduzco-Gutierrez also told us sometimes patients with POTS are misdiagnosed as having anxiety since the heart beats faster with the condition. And a second opinion is always a good idea.