A consensus statement from multiple European cardiovascular societies, including the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, addresses COVID-19 infection and long COVID through diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and vaccination.
The statement, published on 18 September in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, sets recommendations on how to treat or prevent the damaging cardiovascular effects of COVID-19.
The expert consensus statement includes advice to continue vaccinating against the disease. The expert panel cited studies finding that people who are fully vaccinated are far less likely to suffer cardiac complications or long COVID, even if they develop an infection.
The paper also recommends structured cardiac rehabilitation programs to prevent longer-term problems from developing following infection and to aid recovery. Finally, the experts call for equal access to cardiac rehabilitation programs, especially for people living in rural locations.
The following groups are represented in the consensus statement: the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions, the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, and the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.
