Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition that has garnered increased attention in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This disorder, which causes symptoms such as dizziness, increased heart rate, and lightheadedness, can be triggered or worsened by viral infections, including COVID-19. With more individuals reporting POTS after recovering from COVID-19, a crucial question arises: “Will post COVID POTS go away?”
Is Post COVID POTS Permanent?
For many individuals, POTS symptoms following a COVID-19 infection gradually improve over time. However, there is no guarantee that post COVID POTS will fully resolve, as the duration and severity of symptoms can vary significantly among patients. Some studies suggest that symptoms may persist for months, while others indicate that most patients experience improvement or full resolution after a year or more.1
While recovery may take time, there is hope for individuals suffering from post COVID POTS. Many patients can manage or significantly reduce their symptoms with appropriate treatment, including neuroplasticity-based interventions.
Neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, offers a promising approach to retraining the autonomic nervous system and improving the regulation of bodily functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.2
re-origin is a neuroscience-backed brain retraining program designed to help you overcome symptoms of your chronic health condition. If you’re struggling with POTS symptoms like dizziness, rapid blood pressure changes, fatigue and rapid heart rate, we can help you move forward on your path to healing. Start your healing journey today with our POTS Recovery Blueprint.
Keep reading to learn the pathophysiology of post COVID POTS, its symptoms, and potential treatments, including neuroplasticity, which has shown promise in addressing autonomic dysfunction.
The Connection Between COVID-19 and POTS
Many patients have reported experiencing POTS symptoms following a COVID-19 infection. The condition appears to be more common among individuals who had moderate to severe COVID-19 or who experienced prolonged illness.2 COVID-19, as a viral infection, has been shown to impact the autonomic nervous system, either directly or through the body’s immune response, potentially triggering POTS in susceptible individuals.
Long-term COVID-19 (Long COVID), also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is a term used to describe lingering symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the initial COVID-19 infection has resolved. POTS is one of the conditions linked to Long COVID, with many patients reporting that their symptoms began after they recovered from the virus.3 The exact mechanism remains unclear, but some researchers believe that the virus may trigger an autoimmune response, which affects the autonomic nervous system and leads to the development of POTS.1
Common Symptoms of Post COVID POTS
Post COVID POTS shares many symptoms with traditional POTS but is often exacerbated by the lingering effects of the viral infection. Common symptoms include:
- Rapid heart rate: A significant increase in heart rate when standing (often by more than 30 beats per minute).
- Dizziness and lightheadedness: Feeling faint or lightheaded upon standing or during physical exertion.
- Fatigue: Persistent tiredness that does not improve with rest.
- Brain fog: Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and cognitive impairment.
- Orthostatic hypotension: A drop in blood pressure upon standing, which can lead to fainting.
- Sweating and heat intolerance: Difficulty regulating body temperature, often leading to excessive sweating.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: Diarrhea, nausea, and bloating may also contribute to overall discomfort.
Many of these symptoms overlap with those seen in long COVID; individuals may experience varying physical symptoms and degrees of severity.1
Neuroplasticity and Brain Retraining: A Promising Approach to Post COVID POTS
Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections—has shown promise in treating POTS, especially for post COVID patients. By retraining the brain to regulate autonomic functions more effectively, brain retraining programs have helped many individuals regain control over their heart rate, blood pressure, and other various autonomic system functions. These programs, like the one at re-origin, combine cognitive exercises with somatic practices to reduce over-activation of the autonomic nervous system and promote balanced bodily responses.3
Brain retraining focuses on calming the nervous system, rewiring unhelpful thoughts and behavior, improving the body’s ability to handle stress, and normalizing heart rate and blood pressure regulation. This process involves mindfulness, pattern interruption, somatic exercises and breathwork, and other techniques designed to retrain the brain to respond appropriately to orthostatic changes. You can learn more about this process, and take your first steps toward healing, in our POTS Recovery Blueprint.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage POTS
Alongside neuroplasticity, lifestyle adjustments can play a crucial role in managing post COVID POTS. Patients are often advised to:
- Increase salt and fluid intake: Salt and fluid help increase blood volume, prevent dehydration, improve blood pressure, and reduce symptoms like dizziness and fainting.
- Use compression garments: Compression stockings or garments can help improve circulation and prevent blood from pooling in the lower extremities, a common issue in POTS patients.
- Exercise: While it may seem counterintuitive, regular, low-intensity exercise can help improve circulation, build stamina, and retrain the autonomic nervous system to respond better to postural changes.
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Medications and Other Treatments for Post COVID POTS
While medications alone do not cure POTS, they can help manage symptoms, particularly in severe cases. Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed to help regulate heart rate, while other medications may be used to address orthostatic hypotension and anxiety symptoms. Salt supplementation and medications to control gastrointestinal symptoms may also be recommended.3
Additionally, physical therapy and tilt table testing can help diagnose POTS and tailor treatment plans. Tilt table testing measures changes in heart rate and blood pressure as the patient is moved from a lying to a standing position, helping doctors assess the severity of orthostatic intolerance.1
A multidisciplinary approach that includes brain retraining, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication (e.g., beta-blockers, blood pressure medications) is often the most effective way to treat post-COVID POTS.4
Conclusion: Will Post COVID POTS Go Away?
The outlook for individuals with post COVID POTS is mixed. While many will experience improvement or resolution of their symptoms over time, others may face lingering issues for months or even years. However, with the right combination of brain retraining, lifestyle adjustments, medications, and physical therapy, most patients can manage or reduce their symptoms significantly.
Neuroplasticity-based interventions offer hope for patients suffering most from post COVID POTS, helping to retrain the autonomic nervous system and restore balance to vital body functions. As research continues, new treatment options will likely emerge, offering even more hope for individuals with this challenging condition.
The re-origin program has helped thousands of individuals overcome symptoms of their chronic health conditions. If you are ready to learn more about how brain retraining can help you change your response to your symptoms and start feeling better, learn more about the re-origin program here.
FAQ
What can worsen POTS syndrome?
Several factors can exacerbate POTS symptoms, with other causes including dehydration, prolonged standing, excessive heat, and infections. Stress, poor sleep, and certain medications may also worsen the condition.
What is the life expectancy of a person with POTS?
POTS itself is not typically fatal, but the quality of life for individuals with severe symptoms can be significantly affected. With proper diagnosis and treatment, including lifestyle modifications and medications, most individuals with POTS can manage their symptoms and lead a relatively normal life.
Why is living with POTS so hard?
Living with POTS can be challenging due to the constant and debilitating nature of the symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog. The condition often interferes with daily activities, and because the symptoms can fluctuate, it may be difficult for patients to predict how they will feel from day to day.
