Shot Down — Vaccine Induced POTS

POTS and COVID-19: Are Vaccines Muddling the Infection Risk?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can turn standing up into a dizzying ordeal, with symptoms like a racing heart and fatigue. A 2024 systematic review in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders links POTS to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, but studies like one in Nature Cardiovascular Research claim POTS is 5.35 times more likely after a COVID-19 infection. But here’s the twist: are these studies accounting for people who got vaccinated at some point? And what about unreported mild COVID-19 cases? Let’s dig into the evidence and the gaps.

What the Research Says

The Nature study (2022) compared 284,592 vaccinated people to 12,460 post-infection cases, finding higher POTS odds after infection. The BMC review, covering 10 studies and 284,678 participants, confirmed a rare vaccine-POTS link, with symptoms like palpitations appearing days to weeks post-vaccination, often in people with prior COVID-19 or autoimmune conditions. But the claim that infections pose a much higher risk is under scrutiny, especially when vaccination status and mild cases aren’t fully addressed.

Are Vaccinated People Skewing Infection Data?

Here’s a key issue: studies often don’t clearly separate unvaccinated from vaccinated individuals in their post-infection POTS data. Since vaccines rolled out widely by 2021, some people in the infection group may have been vaccinated before or after their infection. A Vaccines study (2023) noted POTS in vaccinated people with prior mild COVID-19, suggesting both could contribute to symptoms. If vaccinated folks are included in infection cohorts without clear separation, it’s hard to pin POTS solely on the infection, muddying the risk comparison.

Mild COVID-19 Cases and the Numbers Game

Another wrinkle: mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases are often missed because people don’t test or seek care. A Cleveland Clinic study (2022) found POTS in mild cases, but its small sample suggests not all mild infections lead to POTS. If millions of mild cases were counted, the percentage of POTS post-infection could drop significantly, narrowing the gap with vaccine-related risks. Vaccinated people, who often have milder infections, further complicate this picture if their cases go unreported.

Challenging the Higher Infection Risk Claim

The idea that POTS is way more common post-infection isn’t rock-solid. Here’s why:

• Data Bias: Studies like those in Heart Rhythm (2022) focus on diagnosed cases, often from hospitals, overrepresenting severe infections. Mild cases, especially in vaccinated people, are underreported, inflating infection-related POTS rates.
• Vaccination Overlap: Without clear data on vaccination status, infection-related POTS cases might reflect combined effects of infection and vaccination, not infection alone.
• Diagnostic Gaps: POTS needs tests like a tilt table, which aren’t routine for mild symptoms. Johns Hopkins notes delayed diagnoses hide true prevalence.

What This Means for You

The claim that POTS is much more likely after infection may overstate the risk if mild cases and vaccination status aren’t properly accounted for. Including unreported mild COVID-19 cases could lower the infection-related POTS rate, making it closer to the vaccine risk. If you’re noticing symptoms like dizziness or a racing heart after COVID-19 or vaccination, talk to a doctor. Tests like a tilt table can confirm POTS, and treatments like hydration or beta-blockers can help. We need better studies to sort out these overlapping factors.

Explore More

Want to dive deeper? Check out these sources:

• Nature Cardiovascular Research on POTS risks.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine on POTS and COVID-19.
• Vaccines on POTS post-vaccination.

Have you experienced POTS symptoms or know someone who has? Share your thoughts below!

Disclaimer: Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice. This post is for informational purposes only.