Flu vaccine and AF

[Borderstories1]

I’ve never had a flu vaccine before (I’m 39) as I’ve never been considered as particularly at risk. This year (year of the paroxysmal af diagnosis) I have been advised by my dr to have one. I currently have a bad cold and maybe because of it (or could it be that my dr has switched me from bisoprolol to Nebivolol?) I’ve been in and out of AF all weekend. I’m thinking that since a regular cold can throw me like this maybe the flu would be dreadful for my AF. Anyone here have advice one way or the other or experiences of flus/the vaccine/colds and af?

Thanks. Claire

[Sewnknit]

My AF was diagnosed just before I went down with a urinary tract infection - I felt fine at the time but the A&E doctor said my result was 'borderline' and that an infection could trigger it.

I work in the NHS and always have my jab (you can't pass it on if you haven't got it), but in the past I have had 'flu twice the first was hong kong flu when I was at school, the second about 20 years ago. Seriously, get the jab. Flu is not a cold, you think you're dying. And then you wish you would.

So, I think that the risk from an infection would be far worse than any perceived risk from the jab.

[10gingercats in reply to Sewnknit]

I have had flu once when I was young .....no Afib then. Thought I was dying.I was alone in a furnished room in London.Things have changed since then but I am not inviting flu so always have the jab without any hesitation.

[Hidden]

No worries, get the jab. I've had af diagnosis for just under 10 years, no side effects and no flu either. Oddly enough, the day I was diagnosed I started the day with flu symptoms. Not until later in the day did cardiac symptoms emerge. Diagnosed with af not diagnosed with flu!

[BobD Volunteer]

Get the jab.,, but not if you have a cold at the time. I had to miss mine this weekend for that reason. Any infection will make you heart work harder and that may well bring on AF by the way.

[Finvola]

Any virus infection depletes our energy, even without AF and changing to Nebivolol is unlikely to have the effect of starting AF - more likely the cold you are fighting.

I would definitely have the flu jab - all the more so that your doc has advised it. Wait until your cold is completely gone as you will be refused if you have a cold or are taking antibiotics for a chest infection. I never miss mine as I had flu some years back before AF and thought I would die from it.

[Borderstories1]

Thanks for advice and input! Just booked it for 10 days time, hopefully cold gone then 👍🏼

[mavisrich]

I have had flu jab for many years and so glad I have because when I was ill with flu/chestinfection it was not as severe as it would have been had I not had the jab.

[annlynne]

Please Claire, carry on and enjoy your life. PAF does not mean the end of it. Yes have your flu injection, that's a bonus, you'll get it for free. If it helps you in the slightest, I was disgnosed when I was early 60s but went on to sail a yacht down to Trinidad from Florida and I was fine taking my betablockers (sotalol it was then ) along with Clopidogrel. Be aware but keep on enjoying life, we only get the one. sending hugs Annlynne