Tis the season: Do colds make AF worse... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Tis the season

jedimasterlincoln profile image

Do colds make AF worse or does AF make colds worse.... or both?

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jedimasterlincoln
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16 Replies
jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Hi Jed

I've certainly never noticed a cold making my AF worse. I had the Aussie flu earlier in the year and that changed nothing re my AF symptoms.

Jean

fibber-me profile image
fibber-me in reply to jeanjeannie50

What medication did you take for the flu? Stuffy nose? Coughs?

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to fibber-me

I make myself a tea with a teaspoon of thyme and add honey and lemon. I let it cool a little and then sip it throughout the day

beardy_chris profile image
beardy_chris

Of course, being a man makes a cold worse! :)

jedimasterlincoln profile image
jedimasterlincoln in reply to beardy_chris

I don't get them often but they Hit me hard

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

I don't think so, in fact my colds have on the whole been less of an issue. I drink loads of hot drinks, lemon and honey etc. I use inhaled teatree oil and a very dilute gargle ( which may have no effect except for nice smell but is purported to be anti viral) I take occasional paracetamol.

I think most decongestants are out for AF and also many seem to cause a rebound effect.

jedimasterlincoln profile image
jedimasterlincoln in reply to Bagrat

I've had to go for paracetamol and Sudafed

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat in reply to jedimasterlincoln

You're a braver man or woman than I Gungha Din

jedimasterlincoln profile image
jedimasterlincoln in reply to Bagrat

Turns out I probably shouldn't have. Back in AF.

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat in reply to jedimasterlincoln

Oh poop. Sudafed has either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine which may be the suspect.

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646

Most definitely in my case - particularly if it develops in to a chest infection my cardio says that its due to the swelling that this causes which sets it off - believe it or not I was in ICU for 4 days got cardioverted by the time I got home the AF was bad again - it was only when I was readmitted and I insisted on a chest Xray that they realised that I have a bad chest infection - result anti biotics and AF gone next morning - so yes for me colds and even stomach bugs set it off.

Polski profile image
Polski in reply to dmac4646

A gram of Vitamin C at the first sign of infection, and then up to every 2 hours (ie when you remember) for 2 days, then three times a day, will do a lot to prevent the cold/flu going to the chest etc.

dmac4646 profile image
dmac4646 in reply to dmac4646

Cheers

GrannySmithgs5 profile image
GrannySmithgs5

A common cold had no effect but flu with a fever definately did . Had AF episodes 4 days running until fever abated . Dratted Aussie flu !!!!

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire

I have not had a cold or flu since I started taking N acetyl cisteine two and a half years ago. In one study half the volunteers took this for 6 months ,the other half placebo. All were then innoculated with flu. Those who had taken the NAC had no symptoms . If a chest infection develops from flu or a bad cold antibiotics may be counterproductive as they can induce arrhythmias. Especially fluoroquinolones. They can provoke afib and even more dangerously prolongation of QT interval. Oil of oregano works well as a natural antibiotic for respiratory infections but will like all antibiotics disturb the microbiome.

It certainly seems to be lasting longer. OH started Thursday last. Was OK by Monday. I started Saturday.... still feel as rough as first day.

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