JAMA Medical News Understanding Cardiac Long COVID
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Oct 24, 2025 Join Vassilios Vassiliou, a clinical professor of cardiac medicine, as he unpacks the complexities of cardiac long COVID. He discusses key complications like myocarditis and heart failure, revealing how acute COVID-19 can lead to long-term cardiac issues. Vassiliou also outlines risk factors, the differences between cardiac and pulmonary symptoms, and the implications of infection versus vaccination on myocarditis. With insights on heart failure management and future research directions, he provides essential guidance for monitoring COVID's impact on heart health.
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Cardiac Long COVID Is Widespread
- Long COVID is very common and often involves the heart, affecting millions worldwide.
- Vassilios Vassiliou estimates 20–30 million people suffer cardiac long COVID.
Spectrum Of Cardiac Presentations
- Cardiac long COVID can present as myocarditis, pericarditis, heart failure, arrhythmias, coronary disease, or autonomic dysfunction.
- Typical symptoms include chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue.
Investigate Breathlessness Systematically
- Separate breathlessness from cardiac versus pulmonary causes using history, exam, chest x-ray, and basic cardiac tests.
- Use targeted investigations to determine if symptoms come from the heart, lungs, or both.