Exercise Intolerance and Response to Training in Patients With Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV2 Long COVID…, 2025, Cornwell et al.

[SNT Gatchaman]

Exercise Intolerance and Response to Training in Patients With Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV2 Long COVID: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
William K. Cornwell; Benjamin D. Levine; Diane Baptiste; Nicole Bhave; Sarika Desai; Elizabeth Dineen; Matthew Durstenfeld; Justin Edward; Mu Huang; Roni Jacobsen; Jonathan H. Kim; Erica Spatz; on behalf of the American Heart Association Exercise, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and Secondary Prevention Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Hypertension; Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and Stroke Council

The postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, also known as Long COVID, may affect 10% to 25% of individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. More than 100 symptoms have been reported among patients with Long COVID, but almost all patients report severe fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, shortness of breath, and reductions in exercise tolerance.

Emerging data suggest that cardiovascular deconditioning plays a major role in the development of this syndrome and that reductions in functional capacity among patients with Long COVID are comparable to reductions seen among individuals with cardiovascular deconditioning resulting from bed rest. Concern has been raised about the use of exercise training as part of the management strategy for patients with Long COVID. However, exercise training appropriately tailored to the patient with cardiovascular deconditioning may be an effective strategy to facilitate improvement in symptoms.

This American Heart Association scientific statement provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of mechanisms contributing to development of Long COVID and methods by which exercise training may be applied to this unique patient population to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. In addition, methods of reintroducing exercise and return to play among athletes affected by COVID-19 are discussed.

Link | PDF | Circulation [Open Access]

 

[Hutan]

This American Heart Association scientific statement provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of mechanisms contributing to development of Long COVID and methods by which exercise training may be applied to this unique patient population to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Emerging data suggest that cardiovascular deconditioning plays a major role in the development of this syndrome and that reductions in functional capacity among patients with Long COVID are comparable to reductions seen among individuals with cardiovascular deconditioning resulting from bed rest.

Yet another in the long line of people and organisations who have Long Covid all worked out - and in a 'concise and comprehensive' way. Silly us, our problem is mostly just cardiovascular deconditioning.

If that is too technical for its clinician audience, the authors have provided a picture:


i.e. get off the sofa! (but exercise should start out being recumbent, and should not produce PEM).

 

[Turtle]

Recumbent rowing? No muscle damage as seen by Wüst and co? Picking and choosing?
Cardiologists starting late in research, maybe they need some catching up first.

 

[Midnattsol]

Yet another in the long line of people and organisations who have Long Covid all worked out - and in a 'concise and comprehensive' way. Silly us, our problem is mostly just cardiovascular deconditioning.

If that is too technical for its clinician audience, the authors have provided a picture:

View attachment 26814
i.e. get off the sofa! (but exercise should start out being recumbent, and should not produce PEM).

Off the sofa and healthy enough to shuffle along. I’m surprised he’s not jogging.