POTS and Long Haul COVID-19

In this presentation, Dr. Alexis Cutchins, a cardiologist at the Emory Women's Heart Center, discusses POTS, particularly in the context of long-haul COVID-19. Patients with POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, experience symptoms such as tachycardia, lightheadedness, and fatigue, which often appear or worsen following a COVID-19 infection. A notable aspect is diagnosing POTS through heart rate and blood pressure changes upon standing. Dr. Cutchins emphasizes nonpharmacological strategies like increased hydration, salt intake, and the use of compression garments. Pharmacological treatments may include beta blockers and other medications, but she stresses the importance of lifestyle modifications and gradual re-introduction of exercise to help manage symptoms. She also touched upon the challenges of convincing patients to take SSRIs due to their stigma, and her preference for using antihistamines in COVID long-haulers due to observed improvements in symptoms like brain fog. Addressing the varied presentations of POTS post-COVID, she outlines a personalized approach to treatment, advocating for more research into this emerging clinical challenge.

Published September 16, 2021
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