Ian Goodfellow, a research scientist at Google DeepMind, publicly acknowledged receiving assistance in his recovery from a condition described as the “POTS version of Long COVID,” thanking Daniel Rossett on social media this week.
Goodfellow’s post highlights a growing, though often overlooked, connection between Long COVID and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate upon standing. According to the Standing Up to POTS organization, Long COVID is defined by the continuation or development of new symptoms at least three months after an initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, lasting for a minimum of two months with no other explanation.
The link between the two conditions is becoming increasingly apparent in research. A recent study published in JACC Advances suggests a potential association between the broader symptomatology of Long COVID and the symptom clustering observed in POTS, though the study notes that causality remains unproven. The ME Association reports that approximately 30 percent of individuals experiencing Long COVID meet the criteria for POTS.
Symptoms of POTS include lightheadedness, fainting, heart palpitations, and shakiness, all of which can overlap with the more than 200 possible symptoms associated with Long COVID, the most common of which are fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, headaches, and brain fog, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The surge in Long COVID diagnoses is, in turn, driving increased awareness and funding for research into POTS and other related conditions, benefiting those with chronic, invisible illnesses. Long Covid Families reported on their 2025 impact report, focusing on children with Long COVID. The organization noted a strengthening role as a national resource for answers and action.
The prevalence of Long COVID is estimated to affect between 10 and 30 percent of those infected with SARS-CoV-2, according to data cited by Standing Up to POTS. CDC data indicates that approximately 7.5 percent of the U.S. Population is currently suffering from Long COVID symptoms. A metanalysis of 1.2 million people found that 6.2% still had symptoms three months after infection, with respiratory issues (3.7%), fatigue and body pain (3.2%) being the most common.
The autonomic nervous system, responsible for involuntary bodily functions, is often implicated in both Long COVID and POTS. Dysautonomia, or dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, is reported in 67 percent of Long COVID sufferers, according to recent research. Viral infections, like COVID-19, can trigger the onset of POTS in individuals with no prior history of dysautonomia.
