Category: Long Covid

EECP may play a role in managing ‘long COVID’ and post-COVID-19 symptoms.

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID is when patients have persistent symptoms for weeks, up to 9 months after testing positive for COVID-19. This population is generally termed as “COVID-19 Long Haulers,” suffering from “long COVID-19” or having “post-COVID Sequalae.” These individuals report non-specific symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, depression, and “brain fog,” among several other symptoms that vary from person to person. Dr. Fauci discussed this and the need for more research at the COVID-19 briefing held on February 24, 2021.

How Many People are Affected by Long COVID? 

In the US, the CDC interviewed 292 COVID-19 positive patients and found that 57% continued to have one or more symptoms 14 – 21 days after initial testing. In another study from Wuhan, China, 1733 COVID-19 patients were interviewed, and more than 75% continued to have at least one symptom 6 months after hospital discharge.

Most Common Long COVID Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Shortness of Breath
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Anxiety/Depression

Keep Reading: The 5 most commong Long COVID symptoms

Can Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) Help Treat COVID-19 Symptoms?

EECP may play a role in managing post-COVID-19 symptoms. In an analysis of over 1500 cardiac patients from Flow Therapy’s specialized EECP centers, fatigue was reduced by 36% (PROMIS Fatigue Score) and breathing difficulties by 50% (ROSE Dyspnea Score). Other benefits in functional capacity have also been demonstrated after a full course of EECP.

EECP is a non-invasive treatment that improves blood flow to your heart and throughout the body by applying blood pressure like cuffs on your lower extremities. EECP therapy is typically used to manage patients with heart disease but has shown promise in treating other conditions such as erectile dysfunction, restless leg syndrome, and more. Learn more about EECP and Flow Therapy here.

This article describes the novel use of Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) by Flow Therapy to manage a patient with long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms.

LC is a 38-year-old female with no pre-existing health conditions who tested positive for COVID-19, using both the COVID-19 rapid antigen test and rapid COVID-19 PCR test. The predominant symptoms in her acute phase were noted as fatigue, headache, and body pain. She also experienced shortness of breath which started approximately 8 days after her diagnosis.

After the majority of her symptoms were resolved, she observed that her fatigue had lasted approximately 3 weeks, with headaches coming and going during the same time frame. The body pain took roughly 4 weeks to resolve, and she experienced random shortness of breath while at rest and during activities for months beyond the acute phase of the illness.

After the resolution of her primary symptoms (other than shortness of breath), she also noted the presence of “brain fog,” as if lacking the same clarity of thought she had prior to her illness.

Keep Reading: See how Long COVID can impact your heart health

How EECP Treated Long COVID Symptoms

Due to the symptoms persisting over 3 months, the patient underwent standard EECP treatment for 1-hour sessions, 3 times per week. After 1 week, the brain fog had improved with shortness of breath improving at approximately 1.5 weeks. LC reported returning to pre-COVID health and fitness after approximately 5 weeks of EECP treatment.

To our knowledge, this is the first case of using EECP for post-COVID-19 shortness of breath, fatigue, and “brain fog.” EECP has been used for decades for the management of patients with certain types of heart disease. Furthermore, EECP has been shown to improve the health of the blood vessels in the body. Since the SARS-CoV-2 virus impairs this pathway in blood vessels, it is plausible that EECP may play a significant role in the management of post-COVID symptoms.

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Authors: Ann Teal, PA-C & Joshua Kyle Dayrit, BS, PharmD Candidate

DISCLAIMER: This information is accurate as of March 3^rd 2021. This is not medical advice and you should speak to your doctor before making any decisions about your health. We thank the willingness of the individual mentioned above to let us describe their case for the benefit of others.

If you’ve ever felt lightheaded or dizzy after standing up or getting out of bed, you may have experienced symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, also known as POTS.

Normally, when you sit or stand, gravity works its magic and pulls your blood downward away from your heart and brain. We don’t feel this because our bodies know what to do to normalize this shift. Our blood vessels will quickly narrow which slows the gravitational pull. Then, our heart rate will slightly increase to maintain the blood and oxygen flow to the heart and brain.

For people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), this doesn’t always work the way it should. The blood vessels don’t narrow, causing the heart to race to compensate for the drop in blood flow. This racing heart makes you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, and you are still not feeling well, your body may be fighting what is called Long COVID. It is now established that COVID-19 negatively affects our heart. This puts long haulers at a higher risk for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

How can POTS be managed?

Although there is no known cure for POTS, the condition can be managed in most patients with diet, exercise, and medications.

In a recent case study, we found that Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy provides promising results for patients with POTS. EECP is a noninvasive therapy that works by improving the circulation of blood flow to your heart. This gives your heart a workout to strengthen it so that it works properly when blood flow falls victim to gravitational pull.

Long COVID POTS Case Study Findings

A 57-year-old female was diagnosed with COVID-19 in December 2020. She was hospitalized for COVID pneumonia and for respiratory failure. This was followed by stays at an acute care facility and home rehabilitation center. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Long-COVID-19-associated POTS, with symptoms such as fatigue, “brain fog”, and difficulty breathing. Only 15 EECP treatments later, she reported less fatigue and less shortness of breath! You can view the full case study report here.

How does EECP Therapy Work?

EECP is short for “Enhanced External Counter Pulsation” and is a noninvasive therapy  that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for its use in chronic stable angina and ischemic heart failure. Benefits from EECP therapy include a decrease in chest pain, an increase in energy levels, improved blood pressure, and much more. Learn more about how EECP therapy works below:

 

If you’ve ever felt lightheaded or dizzy after standing up or getting out of bed, you may have experienced symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, also known as POTS.

Normally, when you sit or stand, gravity works its magic and pulls your blood downward away from your heart and brain. We don’t feel this because our bodies know what to do to normalize this shift. Our blood vessels will quickly narrow which slows the gravitational pull. Then, our heart rate will slightly increase to maintain the blood and oxygen flow to the heart and brain.

For people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), this doesn’t always work the way it should. The blood vessels don’t narrow, causing the heart to race to compensate for the drop in blood flow. This racing heart makes you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, and you are still not feeling well, your body may be fighting what is called Long COVID. It is now established that COVID-19 negatively affects our heart. This puts long haulers at a higher risk for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

How can POTS be managed?

Although there is no known cure for POTS, the condition can be managed in most patients with diet, exercise, and medications.

In a recent case study, we found that Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy provides promising results for patients with POTS. EECP is a noninvasive therapy that works by improving the circulation of blood flow to your heart. This gives your heart a workout to strengthen it so that it works properly when blood flow falls victim to gravitational pull.

Long COVID POTS Case Study Findings

A 57-year-old female was diagnosed with COVID-19 in December 2020. She was hospitalized for COVID pneumonia and for respiratory failure. This was followed by stays at an acute care facility and home rehabilitation center. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Long-COVID-19-associated POTS, with symptoms such as fatigue, “brain fog”, and difficulty breathing. Only 15 EECP treatments later, she reported less fatigue and less shortness of breath! You can view the full case study report here.

How does EECP Therapy Work?

EECP is short for “Enhanced External Counter Pulsation” and is a noninvasive therapy  that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for its use in chronic stable angina and ischemic heart failure. Benefits from EECP therapy include a decrease in chest pain, an increase in energy levels, improved blood pressure, and much more. Learn more about how EECP therapy works below:

 

If you have recovered from COVID-19 and still have lingering symptoms, EECP therapy may be able to help Click on “Am I a Candidate” above to get started.

Everyone recovers from COVID-19 differently. Unfortunately, certain individuals experience Long COVID and require individualized treatment options for Long COVID.

Globally, an estimated 50% of COVID-19 patients experience lingering symptoms six months after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, with the long-term symptoms varying in severity.

American College of Cardiology

Long COVID symptoms can be varied (and in some cases, very serious). This being said, if you are going through Long COVID, it’s important to do your research and find a treatment plan that’s right for you and your specific symptoms.

While there aren’t very many Long COVID treatment options available as of now, EECP Therapy has been shown to help relieve Long COVID symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain.

Let’s dig a little deeper into EECP Therapy.

What is EECP Therapy?

EECP Therapy, otherwise known as Flow Therapy, is a non-invasive and effective treatment option for people suffering from chronic heart conditions, fatigue, shortness of breath, and coronary artery disease.

With Flow Therapy, there are no pills, shots, or surgeries involved. It’s a simple, outpatient procedure involving the patient, compression cuffs, and an EKG machine.

During treatment, the patient lays down on a table and EECP compression cuffs are wrapped around his or her calves, thighs, and lower hips. With the assistance of an EKG machine, the inflation and deflation of the cuffs is regulated with the rhythm of the heart.

Why does EECP Therapy work?

While there’s a lot that goes into the science of EECP Therapy and why it works, here’s the simple explanation:

EECP Therapy imitates the benefits of passive exercise without straining the heart. This leads to improved circulation, increased cardiac capacity, reductions in joint pain, reduced shortness of breath, and increased stamina.

In a nutshell, EECP leverages advanced counter pulsation technology to increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart – which results in the widening and creation of new, small blood vessels in the heart.

If you’re wondering, why not just exercise? This isn’t always possible for certain individuals who suffer from chronic or long-term conditions (especially when it comes to Long COVID).

Resuming physical activity after having COVID-19 has an extra layer of complexity because of the potential of complications, such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), for those individuals known as long haulers, who experience prolonged symptoms of the virus.

Michael Fredericson, MD via Everyday Health

EECP Therapy helps get individuals to the point where they can finally start to move around, take walks, and exercise once again – without shortness of breath, unmanageable chest pain, or unnecessary heart strain.

How does EECP Therapy reduce Long COVID symptoms?

For the last few decades, EECP Therapy has worked to help reduce symptoms associated with chronic heart disease, as well as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. For many people who have Long COVID, these are the exact same symptoms they are experiencing for months after the initial COVID-19 infection.

In other words, EECP Therapy is the ideal treatment option.

Results from EECP Therapy for Long COVID include:

• Chest pain symptoms improved in 97% of patients
• Fatigue improved in 88% of patients
• Walking distance improved in 83% of patients by 163 feet
• Breathing difficulty improved in 63% of patients

 

Emerging data shows that long COVID is a disease that impacts the health of vessels, also known as endothelial function. EECP is a disease-modifying, non-invasive therapy that has previously shown to improve endothelial function in controlled clinical trials. We currently believe that this is the most plausible explanation for the benefits derived from EECP and the link to long COVID.

Sachin A. Shah, PharmD, Chief Scientific Officer at Flow Therapy
American College of Cardiology

Related Content: Check out the 5 most common Long Covid symptoms

Want to learn more about this Long COVID treatment option?

At Flow Therapy, we work with patients from all walks of life, who are suffering from a variety of issues affecting their day-to-day lives, and we’d love to work with you, too! If you think you’re suffering from Long COVID symptoms and would like to know if you’re a candidate for Flow Therapy, take our online Long COVID assessment.

If you’d like more information on EECP Therapy for Long COVID treatment, give us a call at 1-888-678-FLOW or find a Flow Therapy closest to you.

After picking up COVID-19, certain individuals struggle to overcome the disease completely and experience Long COVID symptoms for weeks (or even months) post-infection.

Related Material: What is Long COVID?

According to a recent Long COVID study, there are over 50 Long COVID symptoms that patients tend to experience.

These symptoms can include everything from renal failure and myocarditis to nausea and dizziness. But what are some of the most common symptoms of COVID Long Haulers? Let’s take a look at 5 right now.

Common side effects of Long COVID

Amount of patients studied: 47,910

Age range: 17 years to 87 years

Time frame: up to 110 days post-infection

Percent of individuals who experienced Long COVID symptoms: up to 80%

Most common Long COVID symptoms:

• Fatigue (58%)
• Headache (44%)
• Attention Disorder (27%)
• Hair Loss (25%)
• Dyspnea (24%)

Related Content: Learn about a Long COVID treatment option

Full list of Long Haul COVID symptoms

1. Fatigue
2. Headache
3. Attention Disorder
4. Hair Loss
5. Dyspnea
6. Ageusia
7. Anosmia
8. Post-activity polypnea
9. Joint Pain
10. Cough
11. Sweat
12. Nausea or Vomit
13. Chest Pain/Discomfort
14. Memory Loss
15. Hearing loss or tinnitus
16. Anxiety
17. Depression
18. Digestive disorders
19. Weight loss
20. Cutaneous signs
21. Resting heart rate increase
22. Palpitations
23. Pain
24. Intermittent Fever
25. Sleep Disorder
26. Reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity
27. Sleep Apnea
28. Chills
29. Health Care related Mental Health
30. Psychiatric illness
31. Red Eyes
32. Pulmonary Fibrosis
33. Discontinuous flushing
34. Diabetes Mellitus
35. Sputum
36. Limb edema
37. Dizziness
38. Stroke
39. Throat Pain
40. Mood Disorders
41. Dysphoria
42. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
43. New Hypertension
44. Myocarditis
45. Renal Failure
46. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
47. Arrythmia
48. Paranoia
49. Abnormal Chest XRay/CT
50. Elevated D-dimer
51. Elevated NT-proBNP
52. Elevated C-reactive protein
53. Elevated Serum Ferritin
54. Elevated Procalcitonin
55. Elevated IL-6

How to manage post-COVID symptoms

If you’re dealing with post-COVID symptoms, make sure you’re following up with a medical provider who is willing to customize a treatment plan based on your unique symptoms

“Management of all these effects requires further understanding to design individualized, dynamic cross-sectoral interventions in Post-COVID clinics with multiple specialties, including graded exercise, physical therapy, continuous checkups, and cognitive behavioral therapy when required.” – MedRxiv

At Flow Therapy, we offer a ground-breaking, non-invasive Long COVID treatment option. Our EECP treatment helps Long Haulers deal with post-COVID symptoms that include shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty exercising and walking. To learn more about this treatment option, check out the science behind Flow Therapy or take our online Long COVID assessment.

If you’re wondering, “How long does fatigue last after COVID?” – you’re not alone.

Fatigue is the most common COVID-19 symptom, and many people are starting to figure out that it can linger for weeks. And in some cases, even months…

This being said, how long can fatigue really last after testing positive for COVID-19, how can you manage this symptom, and when should you consider talking to a doctor?

Let’s break it down.

How long does fatigue last after COVID?

For many people who contract COVID-19 and experience symptoms, fatigue may only linger for 2 to 3 weeks.

Fatigue can affect people differently. For example, it may make it more difficult to concentrate, limit your day-to-day activities, or cause sluggishness.

While this symptom could continue weeks post-infection, in some cases, it may be nothing to worry about. In fact, according to some studies, over 55 long-term effects (including fatigue) have been identified that could be a result of ongoing symptoms of COVID-19.

What are common symptoms of post-COVID fatigue?

After testing positive for COVID-19, you may experience a variety of side effects associated with fatigue – which extend beyond simply feeling “tired.”

COVID fatigue symptoms may include:

• Irritability
• Decreased appetite
• Difficulty concentrating and remembering things
• Blurry vision and headaches
• Body aches and muscle weakness
• Decreased motivation and overall coordination

How to manage post-COVID fatigue syndrome

In many cases, fatigue after COVID may go away without serious medical intervention. In fact, with proper rest and nutrition, it is possible to overcome fatigue associated with Long COVID without a trip to the doctor’s office.

How to deal with fatigue after COVID:

• Rest: Avoid strenuous activities that drain your energy, and give your body time to heal itself. Take a few sick days, relax from your bed or couch, and postpone any exercising, cleaning, and errands.
• Sleep: Your body loves sleep, so give it some! Allow your body the opportunity to heal and your mind to fully relax. Make sure you go to bed early and create a sleeping environment that promotes a full night of rest.
• Nutrition: It’s important to give your body everything it needs to restore itself. For this to happen, stay away from sugary or caffeinated drinks, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, and stay hydrated.

What is fatigue after COVID-19?

Whether you have a mild or severe case of COVID-19, certain symptoms could develop and linger for months – something many people are calling Long COVID. According to a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, an average of 54% COVID-19 survivors continue to experience at least one symptom (which can include fatigue).

If you experience chronic fatigue (also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or CFS), you may experience bodily pain and heavy brain fog, along with traditional fatigue side effects. While research is still being conducted on chronic fatigue post-COVID, experts believe this symptom could be due to your body’s response to a viral infection.

Although most patients recover from acute COVID-19, some experience postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (PASC). One subgroup of PASC is a syndrome called “long COVID-19,” reminiscent of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). ME/CFS is a debilitating condition, often triggered by viral and bacterial infections, leading to years-long debilitating symptoms including profound fatigue, postexertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive deficits, and orthostatic intolerance. – PNAS

When should I see a doctor about COVID fatigue?

While chronic fatigue may not seem like a serious issue, it could be. Chronic fatigue post-COVID can have a serious impact on your quality of life and constantly affect your overall well-being. This being said, there are a few instances that may indicate you need to seek professional medical advice.

When to seek medical advice:

• You’re starting to notice new symptoms that impact your activities of daily living
• The fatigue is staying the same or getting worse
• You’re concerned you’re experiencing symptoms outside of fatigue
• You need advice on how to better manage your symptoms

One way to manage fatigue from Long COVID

Fatigue associated with Long COVID doesn’t have to become a permanent fixture in your life. With Flow Therapy, you could improve your quality of life and experience less shortness of breath, chest pain, and chronic fatigue.

Emerging data shows that long COVID is a disease that impacts the health of vessels, also known as endothelial function. EECP is a disease-modifying, non-invasive therapy that has previously shown to improve endothelial function in controlled clinical trials.

Sachin A. Shah, PharmD, Chief Scientific Officer at Flow Therapy
American College of Cardiology

If you’d like to learn more about Flow Therapy and how it works, check out these additional resources, take our online Long COVID assessment, or reach out to us online.

• Treating COVID-19 Long Haulers With EECP
• The Impact of EECP on Peripheral Circulation
• The Science Behind EECP

What is Long COVID? If you’re asking this question, chances are you’re hearing terms like “post COVID syndrome”, “COVID long haulers”, or “post-acute COVID-19.” Or maybe you or a loved one is experiencing new or lingering symptoms weeks or even months after a COVID-19 infection. And now you’re wondering, “What’s going on?”

Whatever the case might be, Long COVID is a real and sometimes serious condition that can include a variety of health problems.

Let’s talk about who gets Long COVID, the types, symptoms, and current treatment options.

Who gets Long Covid & how long does it last?

As of now, researchers aren’t exactly sure why some people develop Long COVID, while others do not. This being said, regardless of how severe a COVID-19 infection is, an article from the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that between 45% and 69% survivors experience at least one symptom of Long COVID.

The top reported symptoms include fatigue, headache, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and issues with attention and memory. Researchers believe that it could be more likely with increasing age, BMI, and female sex.

The duration of these symptoms can vary greatly, but experts say that true Long COVID cases can occur as early as four weeks after a COVID-19 infection.

Keep Reading: How long does Long COVID last?

During this time, however, people who experience Long COVID for an extended amount of time do not test positive for the virus. They merely have “side effects” from the virus that are unexplained at the moment. This also means Long COVID patients are not contagious (since they no longer have the virus).

What are the main symptoms of Long Covid?

There are a variety of symptoms associated with Long COVID. Some of the more common Long COVID symptoms can include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Attention Disorder
• Hair Loss
• Dyspnea

However, there are well over 50 various symptoms of Long COVID that have been recorded by researchers (some more serious than others). More serious symptoms can include chronic fatigue syndrome, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

How do you treat Long COVID?

As of now, there is no comprehensive treatment for Long COVID. Since Long COVID can manifest in a variety of ways, treatment depends on the individual.

This being said, many cases of Long COVID don’t require medical intervention. Instead, proper rest and nutrition is recommended.

In more serious cases, however, medical intervention may be required. It’s important to speak with your doctor if you’re having difficulty managing your Long COVID symptoms. They can help you determine what the best treatment plan is for your specific symptoms. One such example is EECP Therapy – which can be used to manage Long COVID symptoms shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, and chest pain.

What is EECP Therapy?

EECP Therapy treats patients that have a variety of issues, including chronic heart disease, coronary artery disease, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, and now, Long COVID.

Several of our patients were disabled to the point of not being able to work. Remarkably, all patients at this point were able to successfully return back to work after undergoing treatment. These patients also showed improvement in ‘brain fog,’ which is a common symptom of long COVID. We are excited about continuing to analyze this data and share it in the future.

Sachin A. Shah, PharmD, Chief Scientific Officer at Flow Therapy
American College of Cardiology

EECP Therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that involves no pills, shots, or surgeries. Instead, it involves a simple, outpatient procedure with the patient, compression cuffs, and an EKG machine.

During treatment, the patient lays down on a table and EECP compression cuffs are wrapped around his or her calves, thighs, and lower hips. With the assistance of the EKG machine, the inflation and deflation of the cuffs regulate with the rhythm of the heart to improve circulation, increase cardiac capacity, reduce joint pain, reduce shortness of breath, and increase overall stamina.

Results from Long COVID patients who underwent EECP Therapy:

• Chest pain symptoms improved in 97% of patients
• Fatigue improved in 88% of patients
• Walking distance improved in 83% of patients
• Breathing difficulty improved in 63% of patients

Want to learn more about this Long COVID treatment option?

At Flow Therapy, we work with patients from all walks of life, who are suffering from a variety of issues affecting their day-to-day lives, and we’d love to work with you, too! If you think you’re suffering from Long COVID symptoms and would like to see if you’re a candidate for treatment, take our online Long COVID assessment.

If you’d like more information on EECP Therapy for Long COVID treatment, give us a call at 1-888-678-FLOW or find a Flow Therapy closest to you.

After overcoming a COVID-19 infection, many people may still feel side effects for months. In fact, these lingering symptoms could persist up to six months or longer post-infection.

Known as Long COVID, long-lasting COVID symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways. But in some studies, over 78% of patients specifically experience cardiac-related symptoms – with 60% of these patients feeling them for at least three months.

Unfortunately, there is no real way (as of yet) to determine who will experience Long COVID and heart-related complications (this includes the severity of a COVID-19 infection).

According to research conducted by Dr. Valentina Püntmann, heart abnormalities were identified in “three out of every four patients, regardless of how sick they had been during their COVID-19 infection or their preexisting conditions.”

This being said, what heart problems, in particular, is Long COVID becoming known for? Let’s take a look at 3 of the most common heart problems after COVID.

Irregular Heart Beat

An irregular heart beat, also known as arrhythmia, is a commonly reported heart problem after COVID.

“New electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias were detected in up to one-third of survivors of non-severe COVID-19.” – Satterfield, B.A., Bhatt, D.L. & Gersh, B.J. Cardiac involvement in the long-term implications of COVID-19

While an irregular heartbeat can be caused by issues such as dehydration, body aches, and shortness of breath, it’s still important to speak with your doctor. This way, they can rule out other, more serious Long COVID complications – such as myocarditis, blood clots, and heart dysfunction.

Keep Reading: The 5 most common Long COVID symptoms

Chest Pain

Similar to an irregular heartbeat, chest pain may simply be a temporary, yet lingering side effect of a COVID-19 infection; however, it could also be a more serious issue. Either way, chest pain can definitely impact your quality of life and may require post-COVID care.

“Chest pain has been found to affect up to 22% of patients 2 months following acute COVID-19.” – Nursing In Practice

Make sure to seek out professional medical care if you’re experiencing chest pain with any of the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Sharp pain while inhaling

Myocarditis

Myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle – is another common heart problem after COVID. Myocarditis can lead to many serious complications, such as “heart failure, a heart attack, stroke, and even sudden cardiac arrest.” In less severe instances, however, myocarditis after COVID can reduce the heart’s ability to pump and cause arrhythmia.

“In late July, shocking findings from a study published in JAMA Cardiology suggested that after being screened via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 60% of Covid-19 survivors (independent of the severity of the illness) had developed myocarditis.” – JAMA Cardiology

If you are experiencing any side effects associated with myocarditis, follow up with your doctor. During these follow-ups, they can run tests and scans to confirm any myocardial damage and its severity.

Keep Reading: How long does fatigue last after COVID?

Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations is considered another common heart problem associated with Long COVID. With heart palpitations, it might feel as if your heart is beating or pounding irregularly. This could last up to a few minutes at a time.

Heart palpitations after COVID-19 may not be a serious issue; however, there are certain scenarios that could require medical intervention.

When you should see a doctor for heart palpitations:

• You have chest pain
• You feel dizzy or lightheaded
• Your palpitations are getting longer and more intense
• You have other heart complications

Dealing with heart problems after COVID?

Don’t let heart problems after COVID negatively impact your quality of life. With EECP at Flow Therapy, it is possible to manage symptoms associated with Long COVID. EECP is a non-invasive therapy that has been shown to improve circulation, reduce joint pain, reduce shortness of breath, and increase exercise capacity.

Results from EECP Therapy for Long COVID include:

• Chest pain symptoms improved in 97% of patients
• Fatigue improved in 88% of patients
• Walking distance improved in 83% of patients by 163 feet
• Breathing difficulty improved in 63% of patients

“Emerging data shows that long COVID is a disease that impacts the health of vessels, also known as endothelial function. EECP is a disease-modifying, non-invasive therapy that has previously shown to improve endothelial function in controlled clinical trials. We currently believe that this is the most plausible explanation for the benefits derived from EECP and the link to long COVID.” – Sachin A. Shah, PharmD via American College of Cardiology

If you’d like to learn more about Flow Therapy and how it works, check out our additional resources or reach out to us online. Interested in seeing if you’re a candidate for EECP? Take our free, online Long COVID assessment.

Additional Resources:

• Treating COVID-19 Long Haulers With EECP
• The Impact of EECP on Peripheral Circulation
• The Science Behind EECP

If you think you may be experiencing Long COVID symptoms, then you may also be wondering, “Is there a Long COVID test?”

To answer this question, let’s first break down what Long COVID is and then discuss whether or not there are ways to test for Long COVID.

What is Long COVID?

People who have Long COVID experience lingering and oftentimes new symptoms after they recover from COVID-19.

There are over 50 symptoms associated with Long COVID. However, the most common Long COVID symptoms typically include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Attention Disorder
• Hair Loss
• Shortness of Breath
• Dyspnea

Other possible symptoms include Long COVID heart complications such as heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and myocarditis.

Long COVID symptoms can linger for weeks to months post-COVID-19, and they could lead to a serious decline in quality of life. Because of this, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional and find effective Long COVID treatment options when necessary.

Is there a Long COVID test?

At this time, there is no test for Long COVID. Unlike the initial COVID-19 infection, you cannot test Long COVID at a drive-thru testing location or stop by the store to pick up a test. Instead, you’ll need to work with a healthcare provider who can help you to figure out how to best manage your symptoms.

What Long COVID tests will your doctor require?

Since your doctor won’t be able to confirm Long COVID with a single test, they’ll need to identify Long COVID in other ways.

Identifying Long COVID may or may not include:

• A test to confirm a previous COVID-19 infection (referred to an antibody test)
• Initial blood tests that can rule out diseases with similar symptoms
• Ongoing testing that rules out other potential health conditions

Will there be a Long COVID test soon?

Even though there is not currently a test for Long COVID, there could be one soon. Researchers are looking for new and innovative ways to identify COVID Long Haulers based on certain criteria.

Future Long COVID tests may include:

• Autoantibodies in the blood of Long COVID patients
• Biomarkers that could be present after an uncontrolled immune system response
• Signs of vascular damage caused by COVID-19 proteins

What happens after a Long COVID diagnosis?

If your doctor thinks you have Long COVID, then the next steps will depend on the severity of your symptoms. In some cases, rest, relaxation, and healthy habits are recommended to overcome long term COVID-19 symptoms.

This being said, there are Long COVID symptoms that do require more intensive and customized treatment plans. For example, if you’re experiencing chronic fatigue and shortness of breath, you could consider a treatment option known as EECP therapy.

EECP therapy can help manage symptoms of Long COVID by improving blood flow to your heart and throughout the body. It is a non-invasive treatment traditionally used to treat patients with heart disease, erectile dysfunction, restless leg syndrome, and, more recently, Long COVID.

Dealing with a Long COVID diagnosis?

We’d love to help. Check out some of our Long COVID resources and reach out to us if you have any questions on Long COVID or EECP therapy.

• Take our ‘Long COVID Assessment’
• See how Long COVID can affect your heart
• Learn more about the science behind EECP therapy

In short, yes, Long COVID is real.

But, can you get tested for it, what are the symptoms, and how can you get treatment? Let’s break it down.

Why is Long COVID real?

Long COVID is also known as post-COVID syndrome (PASC) or Long Haul COVID.

When someone is considered to have Long COVID, it typically means they had COVID-19 and are continuing to experience one or more symptoms for weeks (or months) after.

The severity of the original COVID-19 infection does not play a role in determining whether or not a person has Long COVID symptoms. As of now, the medical community is working everyday to better understand the disease and its impact on specific individuals.

Is there a Long COVID test?

Currently, there is no test for Long COVID.

If you suspect that you have Long COVID and your symptoms are difficult to manage on your own, you should consider speaking with a medical professional. At this point, they may run a variety of tests to confirm a previous COVID-19 infection and to eliminate other potential diseases and complications.

In the future, the Long COVID testing process could change. Currently, research is being conducted to determine if there are biomarkers that can potentially test for Long COVID patients. This process would involve a blood test – which could streamline the process.

What are the symptoms of Long COVID?

Symptoms of Long COVID can vary from one person to the next.

In some cases, these symptoms can be debilitating and negatively impact quality of life. This issue becomes more critical considering the average duration of these symptoms – which could last for six months or longer.

While there are over 50 Long COVID symptoms that have been observed, the most common Long COVID symptoms typically include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Attention Disorder
• Hair Loss
• Shortness of Breath
• Dyspnea
• Heart complications

Is there a Long COVID treatment?

Since the symptoms of Long COVID can span a broad range of medical issues, the treatment options vary.

For some people, rest and relaxation is all that’s required. However, for others who experience symptoms that prevent them from going about their daily activities, a customized Long COVID treatment plan should be considered.

For a certain subset of symptoms, there are promising treatment options.

EECP therapy–a treatment that does not involve medicine, surgery, or shots–has been shown to decrease symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, and chest pain.

How does EECP therapy work for Long COVID?

EECP therapy, otherwise known as Flow Therapy, is a simple outpatient, non-invasive treatment that has been shown to be an effective way to manage certain Long COVID symptoms.

During treatment, the patient lays down on a table and EECP compression cuffs are wrapped around his or her calves, thighs, and lower hips. With the assistance of an EKG machine, the inflation and deflation of the cuffs is regulated with the rhythm of the heart.

The inflation and deflation of the cuffs imitates the benefits of passive exercise without straining the heart. This leads to improved circulation, increased cardiac capacity, reductions in joint pain, reduced shortness of breath, and increased stamina. It leverages advanced counterpulsation technology to increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart – which results in the widening and creation of new, small blood vessels in the heart.

“Emerging data shows that long COVID is a disease that impacts the health of vessels, also known as endothelial function. EECP is a disease-modifying, non-invasive therapy that has previously shown to improve endothelial function in controlled clinical trials. We currently believe that this is the most plausible explanation for the benefits derived from EECP and the link to Long COVID.”  – Sachin A. Shah, PharmD, Chief Scientific Officer of Flow Therapy, featured in the American College of Cardiology

EECP results managing Long COVID symptoms

• Chest pain symptoms improved in 97% of patients
• Fatigue improved in 88% of patients
• Walking distance improved in 83% of patients by 163 feet
• Breathing difficulty improved in 63% of patients

Think EECP therapy can help with your Long COVID symptoms? Take our Long Covid Assessment online

It’s a question on many parents’ minds these days: can kids get long COVID? While there is still much to learn about this virus, there is some information that can help answer this question. In this blog post, we’ll look at what we know about COVID and how it affects children. We’ll also explore ways to manage long COVID symptoms and how to test for them. Let’s get started!

What is Long COVID?

What is long haul COVID? Long COVID is a term used to describe the persistence of symptoms after a person has recovered from an initial COVID-19 infection. While most people who contract the virus will recover within a few weeks, some people may experience symptoms for greater than 4 weeks, months, or even longer after they tested positive. People who have experienced long haul COVID are often referred to as a “COVID long hauler”.

Symptoms of Long COVID can vary widely, but they may include chronic fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain, and more. Many people with Long COVID report feeling like they have not been able to fully recover from their initial infection.

There is still much unknown about Long COVID, including why some people seem to be more susceptible to it than others and the exact number of children who experience Long COVID. However, research in public health is ongoing and hopefully, more will be known in the coming months and years.

Can Kids Get Long COVID?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, more and more people are wondering if children can get long COVID. While most kids seem to recover quickly from the virus, there have been reports of some children and young people developing long-term symptoms. In most cases, these symptoms are mild and resolve on their own within a few weeks or months. However, in rare cases, affected children may experience more severe symptoms that require medical treatment, long-term rest, or customized treatment plans.

What Are the Main Symptoms of Long COVID?

Long COVID, also known as post-acute coronavirus syndrome (PACS), is a set of symptoms that can persist for weeks or even months after a person has contracted the virus.

The most common symptoms of long COVID include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain, anxiety, and depression. Some people also report palpitations in heart rate, joint pain, and skin rashes.

While the exact cause of long COVID is not yet known, it is thought that it may be due to ongoing inflammation or damage to the lungs, heart, or brain. There is also some evidence that suggests long COVID may be caused by an immune system response that goes into overdrive and starts attacking healthy tissue.

Are Adult Long COVID Symptoms the Same for Kids?

A growing amount of attention is being paid to the phenomenon of “Long COVID,” or lingering symptoms experienced by some people after they recover from the virus.  And while most of the focus has been on adults, there is growing evidence that children can also suffer from Long COVID.

There are a few key differences between Long COVID in adults and children. For one, kids seem to experience more digestive issues like abdominal pain and diarrhea. They also may have more neurological symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue. Additionally, some children and young adults with Long COVID report psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Can You Get a Test for Long COVID?

There is currently no specific test for Long COVID, however, your GP may be able to diagnose it based on your symptoms and a physical examination. They may also order some blood tests to rule out other conditions. You may also consider taking a self-assessment to evaluate your symptoms.

If you have had COVID-19 and are still experiencing symptoms after 4 weeks, it is important to see your GP so that they can assess and investigate you further. While there is no cure for Long COVID at this time, there are some things that can help manage your symptoms and make you feel better.

How Can You Manage Long COVID Symptoms?

There is no one best way to manage long haul COVID, as the long-term effects of COVID-19 will vary from person to person. However, some general tips may help. These tips may or may not include:

• Get plenty of rest and sleep. This will help your body to heal and recover from the virus.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eating nutritious foods will help to boost your immune system and give you the energy you need to cope with Long COVID symptoms.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise has many benefits, including reducing stress levels and improving sleep quality. It may also help to reduce fatigue and improve overall fitness levels.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking. These substances can exacerbate Long COVID symptoms and make them worse.
• Take supplements. Certain supplements, such as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, may help to manage Long COVID symptoms.
• Practice stress-relieving techniques. Stress can make Long COVID symptoms worse, so it is important to find ways to relax and de-stress. Some helpful techniques include yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.

Apart from general tips, there is EECP therapy, also known as Flow Therapy. EECP therapy is a treatment that uses external counterpulsation to improve blood flow and circulation. It is a non-invasive procedure that is used to treat various conditions, including heart disease, congestive heart failure, angina, and peripheral artery disease. The symptoms for long COVID are similar to those of the listed conditions such as chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath, which makes EECP therapy a strong potential option to help manage long COVID symptoms.

Worried you or your children may be suffering from Long COVID symptoms?

In short, yes, kids can get Long COVID, and their symptoms should be taken seriously. There are some key distinctions between the adult and pediatric presentations of Long COVID that all caregivers should be aware of. The good news is that there is an assessment available for Long COVID and there are ways to manage symptoms if you do contract the virus. If you have any other questions about Long COVID or want more information on how to protect your family, you can take our long COVID assessment.