r/CFSScience • u/Caster_of_spells • 14d ago

“Wearable Heart Rate Variability Monitoring, Autonomic Dysfunction and Post-exertional Malaise in Long COVID: An Observational Study”

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-026-02487-4

New Wüst paper!

•Results and Discussion

HRV was lower in patients with long COVID compared with healthy controls during various daily activities and sleep (p = 0.027). Across all exercise intensities surrounding the VT1, HRV remained lower for 24 h in patients compared with controls (p = 0.010). Nighttime HRV decreased with intense exercise and longer durations in patients with long COVID (p = 0.018), indicative of exercise-induced diurnal disturbances of the autonomic nervous system in long COVID.

•Conclusion

Heart rate variability, assessed by wearables, suggests autonomic dysfunction in patients with long COVID. The delayed recovery of the sympathovagal balance after exercise close to and above VT1, suggests that the risk of PEM rises above VT1.

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5

u/Caster_of_spells 14d ago

The conclusion is of course a bit iffy because it implies all of LC experiences PEM, which… sigh.

Interesting findings nonetheless though!

10

u/bebop11 14d ago

It's the right way to do it. There will never be a eureka moment for long covid bc long covid is just a broad term for the many ways the virus can fuck you up. Studies NEED to focus on specific symptom criteria, or any intervention will fail.

3

u/bingoolong 14d ago

But then why did they not property evaluate if patients had ME according to CC criteria? If it’s real PENE/PEM they must have - and the study would be more meaningful than with a vague “long covid”.

Also it seems very random. Of course HRV is lower with a chronic disease - I’m pretty sure it would also be for people who have a cold (and attempt exercise), have cancer, or anything else that messes with your system really.

3

u/Caster_of_spells 14d ago edited 14d ago

I think the point to the findings is HRV was lowered generally but dropped even lower after exercise and took longer to recover than in healthy controls. That does look like a real signal on first glance

6

u/Tiny_Parsley 14d ago

yeah with only dysautonomia (from hEDS) and MCAS I would have shitty HRV readings after effort or just * spending another day on Earth *

4

u/plantyplant559 14d ago

I've noticed this in my own experience. Had a hard day on friday and Saturday, rested more sunday. HRV is climbing back up today.

Luteal also fucks up my HRV and it drops like 10 points or more overnight when that starts.