COVID-19 Rare Side Effects: Younger Women With Long COVID Found More Susceptible To POTS Symptoms - What It Means?

New findings further revealed that incidents of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are found to be more common in younger women with long COVID who have lower physical activity and capacity when compared with non-POTS long COVID individuals.

In a recent discovery by scientists, young women with symptomatic Post-COVID-19 Sequalae (PCS) also known as long COVID were found to be at increased risk of developing Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The study was recently published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology in which researchers deemed it as an additional burden.

Method Of The Study

New findings further revealed that incidents of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are found to be more common in younger women with long COVID who have lower physical activity and capacity when compared with non-POTS long COVID individuals.

Researchers examined 467 individuals with symptoms of long COVID for a period of 12 months. Out of which 91% individuals were middle-aged women who were physically active before they developed long COVID. The participants who were clinically suspected of POTS had to undergo non-invasive methods to examine their well-being which included a 48-hour electrocardiogram, head-up tilt test, and Active Stand Test for patients with clinically suspected POTS.

What Is POTS?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome popularly known as POTS is part of a group of disorders that features orthostatic intolerance. A person with this medical condition typically experiences a drop in blood pressure while standing up from sitting or lying down after a long period.

Symptoms Of POTS

There are several signs of POTS, and people with this medical condition may experience symptoms beyond dizziness which is one of the most classic signs. Other signs of POTS include fainting, forgetfulness, racing heart rate, fatigue, feeling nervous, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling sick, bloating, and disrupted sleep.

Who Is More At Risk?

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), people between the ages of 15 and 50 are at higher risk of developing POTS. Interestingly, this disease is more common in women than in men. The US health agency states, "POTS commonly begins after a pregnancy, major surgery, puberty, trauma, or a viral illness. Some people report an increase in episodes of POTS right before their menstrual periods. People with a family history of POTS or other related conditions are also at higher risk."