Flu/ cold and Afib

[Janna501]

Hello, I'm back again needing your help please . I have an awful flu like cold , and just had an awful night .My heart went into overdrive while in bed last night, out of the blue , and scared me terribly. I tried to remember all you good peoples advice and keep calm, but couldn't do it. I guess as a result my heart rate went up further hitting 100and more. This wasn't as bad as my first attack hitting 200 in a shopping center which blue lighted me into hospital , but still really scary . I've used my Kardia , and it's saying that my echo is normal which I don't understand . Can my heart speed up a lot but not be in Afib ? Isn't a very high heart beat atrial fibrillation , and which is most dangerous . I wonder also if being unwell with something else , like this flu/ cold can trigger it ?  Am now lying in bed frightening myself ....

Thank you for any input .

[BobD Volunteer]

If you are ill with a virus both heart rate and blood pressure as well as temperature will be affected,  100 isn't fast by the way and wont do any harm short term although it may make you feel tired out.  AF is not just  a fast heart rate it is a very irregular heart beat, or maybe to be more accurate it isn't a rhythm at all regardless of how fast or slow it may be.

You have a virus and you will get better so please don't start worrying  as that really won't help. Keep warm, stay well hydrated and don't take any cold and flu meds other than paracetamol as many can affect AF.

[Janna501 in reply to BobD]

Thank you. So glad you told me about cold / flu meds. Had been thinking about taking some, which I won't do ...

[bonnie54]

Hi, yes, i always find that if i have a bug, especially a chest infection, i will have more heart symptoms. It will pass off as you get over the bug. Keep calm and beat on.

[Janna501 in reply to bonnie54]

Thank you 

[Janna501]

Thank you 

[Gracey23]

Janna, if you look back to past posts you will see that I posted having the flu and having bad episodes of AF. I was told by people on this forum that with an infection you can get more episodes. Since I've been feeling better I have had no more episodes. It is frightening but it does pass. Hope you feel better soon, Gracey 

[Janna501 in reply to Gracey23]

Thank you Gracey, hope to feel better soon...

[Hidden]

Someone who knows will confirm I'm sure, but fast heartbeat that's in rhythm could be atrial flutter rather than A Fib, couldn't it? That can go faster, I believe...

[Janna501]

How can I tell? At that speed it is all over the place, and I was flat on my back .Can you tell me please what is the difference? If it hadn't started to come down, I think would have needed an ambulance . You all seem so brave , how do you manage that ?

[Helenfox]

Only just found this whilst googling if cold/flu can make af worse. Having so many more symptoms and awaiting second ablation but after reading replies on here it had reassured me I’m not about to die! I hate having af! Even having a cold makes life exhausting. I’m not brave and I get so scared all the time!