Covid-19

[Tototcx]

Hi there.

So are people with AF deemed to be a high risk if/when we get the coronavirus Covid 19 infection because its a long term condition? I know that chest infections can sometimes cause AF so it follows we might be in the high risk category?

[BobD Volunteer]

If you look to your right under Supporting the comunity you will see Charlene has posted from Admin on this subject.

[Tototcx in reply to BobD]

I'm sorry.. I can't see where you mean as I'm on my mobile phone. I'll try to see it. Thanks for the reply

[baba in reply to Tototcx]

Scroll to the bottom of this page

[Tototcx in reply to baba]

Got it! Thankyou

[Hidden]

In simple terms I suspect it depends on your chadvasc score so basically age and other comorbidities

Andy

[lynneangela in reply to Hidden]

I have so many comorbidities I have no chance. But luckily as I feel like rubbish all the time and don't go out, I'm hoping it won't find me.

[BWSBoyo]

Hi Totoctx,

Thanks for kicking off this subject. I have permanent AF and now exist on various drugs. Following an Echocardiograph I discovered that I have an LVEF (left ventricle ejection fraction) of 48% which sound bad but not as bad as <35%. To understand this it is worth reading a Mayo Clinic write up on the subject:

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

Whether AF increases our Covid-19 risk I don't know, but I am following UK advice by self-isolating from crowded environments, maintaining a healthy diet, plenty of walks in the park and keeping my spirits up via the many jokes on the net ("God I miss Brexit!").

[Tototcx]

Hi there. I'm actually in the UK and I have had a difficult time trying to find out any concrete advice. I'm a healthcare professional and none of my professional bodies or my GP or my employer will give me any specific advice and this is maybe because nobody actually knows what or if there is a risk for AF people. So, in light of this I've had to make an uninformed, emotional and hopefully rational decision to put myself into social isolation and see how things develop. I have cancelled all my work too. I don't trust my employers to have made the correct provision for my safety and that of my team. I think this will go on for some time yet.

As for the risk of having AF and contracting COVID-19.... It all seems a bit wishy-washy. Theoretical. Well in my opinion that's not good enough and I'm sure someone somewhere (Wuhan maybe?!) will have a better idea but nobody is saying much.

Stay safe everyone

[Kateuk1]

I saw my consultant for a routine check up last week. I am in permanent AF, but don’t usually have symptoms and my medication works well. He said AF alone does not pose a high risk, , though being over 70, I obviously need to take care.

I feel that worry and anxiety pose a greater health risk to me so I have decided to take every day as it comes. If I wake up and feel ok, that is a great start!

I realise this is a serious situation. However it is estimated that one in five. will be infected. That means four out of five won’t! We can’t control what is happening, but we can decide how we face it.

Be grateful for what you have and be kind. Keep in touch with friends who may be alone and fearful. Try and find some joy in every day things. Life is good😀

[Tototcx in reply to Kateuk1]

It's good to have a medical opinion from an AF specialist. But I'm offered a flu vaccine every year because of my cardiovascular risk factor even though I don't have high blood pressure or heart failure and I have a structurally normal heart. It's sort of conflicting advice in my head.

And yes, health anxiety is difficult for me at the present time.. I'm finding it hard to see or feel any positives but I'm working on it! 😁

[Kateuk1 in reply to Tototcx]

I have the flu vaccine too and also the pneumonia one this year, Whatever helps.

I work hard on trying to maintain a “ glass half full”. attitude , not always easy.

I do a “ count my blessings” list in my head. Even the basics we take for granted, a warm and comfortable roof over my head, food in the cupboard, enough in the bank to meet my needs, good friends. Things that half the world don’t have.

We are all going to die of something! Focus on small joys, a good book, a great cuppa tea, a phone call and a giggle with a friend. It gets easier with practice.

I hope you feel better. Don’t let those anxiety demons win 😄😄

[Tototcx]

Thankyou Kateuk. I appreciate your kind words. You're totally right and I do try to have that glass half full attitude. I believe that the NHS will struggle though and I think it's this that I find most difficult. Anyway, I'll do my best. Counting one's blessings is a skill which I've yet to perfect! But thankyou for your reply and stay safe x