Overview

• A multisociety clinical consensus led by Prof. Vassilios Vassiliou for the European Society of Cardiology synthesizes existing research and is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
• The guidance advises continuing COVID-19 vaccination, noting fully vaccinated people are far less likely to develop cardiac complications or long COVID even after infection.
• Authors recommend structured cardiac rehabilitation with specialized physiotherapy and outline pathways to diagnose and treat symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness, palpitations, and fainting.
• The report cites an estimated 100 million people living with long COVID worldwide, with about 5% experiencing cardiac long COVID marked by angina, arrhythmia, heart failure, fatigue, dizziness, and autonomic dysfunction.
• Experts warn rehabilitation capacity across much of Europe is insufficient and call for targeted investment to expand equitable access, particularly in rural areas, while flagging clinician uncertainty and research gaps.