A new report emphasizes the critical need for ongoing research into long COVID and its cardiovascular effects, urging health systems to prepare for the persistent burden of post-COVID cardiac issues by understanding mechanisms of viral injury and developing new treatments.

It highlights the importance of primary prevention through vaccination and lifestyle changes, advocating for adaptable strategies as new evidence about long COVID and heart health emerges.

Clinicians are encouraged to adopt vigilant, holistic approaches that address both physical and psychological aspects of long COVID, supported by thorough cardiovascular evaluations using imaging and autonomic testing to differentiate symptoms from other heart conditions.

Structured cardiac rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, graded exercise, and autonomic regulation, is essential for recovery, especially for those with pre-existing heart conditions, but faces accessibility challenges that need to be addressed.

To support long COVID patients, healthcare systems must expand and improve rehabilitation programs, ensuring they are accessible across resource-limited settings and underserved regions.

The report calls for increased investment to expand cardiac rehabilitation services across Europe, focusing on reducing regional disparities and ensuring equitable access, particularly for rural populations.

COVID-19 significantly impacts cardiovascular health, increasing risks of heart attack, stroke, and death, with an estimated 5 million people worldwide suffering from long COVID cardiac symptoms like chest pain, breathlessness, and arrhythmias.

Continued vaccination remains crucial, as fully vaccinated individuals are less likely to develop cardiac complications, and structured rehabilitation programs are vital for recovery and preventing long-term issues.

Protecting heart health should be central in COVID-19 management, emphasizing vaccination, equitable healthcare access, and ongoing scientific research to address this evolving public health challenge.

Public health initiatives, including vaccination and lifestyle modifications, are essential to reduce cardiovascular risks associated with COVID-19, supported by multidisciplinary, patient-centered care approaches.

Healthcare systems face challenges due to limited rehabilitation capacity, underscoring the need for increased investment to ensure equitable access to services for long COVID patients.

This comprehensive report, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology on September 18, 2025, aims to guide future cardiovascular care strategies in the ongoing pandemic and its aftermath.