Blood Pressure Regulation in Post-COVID POTS: Beyond Sinus Tachycardia

Abstract

Background: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a frequently diagnosed cardiovascular disorder after COVID-19 infection. POTS is characterized by the presence of excessive sinus tachycardia on standing without a fall in blood pressure (BP). We investigated the BP profile using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring in patients with new-onset POTS after COVID-19 compared with prepandemic population-based controls.

Methods: We performed a case-control study in 100 patients (mean age, 40.0±12.9 years; 85% women) with verified post-COVID-19 new-onset POTS diagnosed by a positive head-up tilt testing versus 100 controls from a population-based cohort with a negative active standing test, no history of syncope, POTS, or endocrine disease (mean age, 42.3±14.0 years; 78% women). Twenty-four-hour BP profile was assessed for circadian BP variation including hypotensive systolic BP (SBP) episodes (<80, <90, and <100 mm Hg).

Results: Patients with post-COVID-19 POTS had significantly higher nighttime SBP, but not daytime SBP, and more daytime SBP hypotensive episodes compared with controls. Nondipping (34% versus 19%; P<0.001) and reverse dipping patterns (9% versus 0%; P<0.001) were more frequent in post-COVID-19 POTS. In the logistic regression, patients with post-COVID-19 POTS had significantly higher mean 24-hour SBP (odds ratio, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.04-1.11]; P<0.001) and nighttime SBP (odds ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.04-1.10]; P<0.001), independent of age and sex.

Conclusions: Patients with post-COVID-19 POTS demonstrate higher mean 24-hour and nighttime SBP and show disruptions of circadian BP rhythm regulation compared with population-based controls, as well as more daytime hypotensive episodes. Future studies are needed to test whether patients with post-COVID-19 POTS may benefit from tailored BP therapy.

Keywords: COVID-19; blood pressure; blood pressure monitoring, ambulatory; post-acute COVID-19 syndrome; postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Figure 1.

Flowchart. MOS indicates Malmö Offspring Study; and POTS indicates postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Figure 2.

Hypotensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) drops during the day and night in post–COVID-19 postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome vs population-based controls.

Figure 3.

Blood pressure and heart rate profiles between patients with post–COVID-19 postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome with and without a hypotensive tendency. HR indicates heart rate; and SBP, systolic blood pressure.