I receive daily reports from Google as to anything new being published that's related to AF. This morning I've received this which suggests that AF is a comorbidity with relation to having the virus.
today.com/health/coronaviru...
Hope the link works. If not try copy and paste.
Jean
On the basis that we are all different and perfectly fit people of young ages die whilst elderly people survive I prefer to ignore all these generalisations Jean. If you read all the stuff out there you will find something bad which applies to all of us. Apparently people of ethnic minorities are more at risk if you believe what you read. When its your time its your time. Keep safe follow the rules and carry on is the only way
Quote: If people with atrial fibrillation get acutely ill with an infection, their heart rate control could be very poor, leading to bouts of rapid AFib, which often requires hospitalization.
I would read this as an after-effect of having the virus in the first place and I so agree with Bob - this is a whole new situation for medical opinion and there is a lot of 'feeling our way' with 'might, may, if, could and possibly' being often-used words.
For me, the best thing to try to do is avoid the damned thing like the plague (which it is). I now read only the Guardian and then avoid the so-called political stuff, try to think positively, never watch TV and try hard not to worry. Keep safe Jean.
I partly agree with you Bob, but I don't want to be told lies. That having AF wont be a drawback if I get the virus. I'd rather know the truth, so that I can take stricter precautions. I'm wondering now whether everyone with AF should all be on the vulnerable list. I've had AF non stop since last November and surely that would put me more at risk than those who get an attack every so often.
Not happy at being duped and I'm still under 70, so having to get my own shopping.
Surely your GP could support an application to place you on You.Gov Vulnerable list?
Don’t hold your breathe though ...It’s not A fast acting fix !! Our GP told us to self isolate 5 weeks ago, the day I after had had a 7 day heart monitor fitted at aRoyal Brompton Hospital. It was virtually deserted, it broke my heart for the lovely staff there, knowing what trials lay ahead for them.
I registered my beloved 83yrs ex Para over 4 weeks ago , I finally got a phone call yesterday from Gov . Agency to register for priority shopping slots .... I might possibly be able to book a shopping in 10 days time ! Now , I do realise that it’s a HUGE undertaking, but how would the average 83yr have managed on his own?!
I’m out once a week shopping , even though I too am on vulnerable list, due lung issues & AF .....
We are lucky that we have great community volunteers here , we live in a remote rural community , so we’re used to helping each other . I get most of my news on Twitter these days ,where I have some reliable Military friends .
I stay calm by not thinking about the future, am just trying to stay as safe as possible , and at the moment enjoying the blissful Spring weather . I was lucky, that I was taught breathing exercises as a child with asthma , I’m still breathing in , when a Dr asks me to breathe out! Dec 2016 I had some dreadful virus , which led to GP finally catching an SVT episode on an ECG ... which then led to eventual diagnosis of AF during EP studies for ablation, they had to Cardiovert me 3 times during procedure .Its seems thatcI had AF a lot longer than anyone realised ( except perhaps me, but thats another story!) That led me to you lovely lot, and I wish that I had had the information , giving the knowledge that I now have years earlier! My Cardiologist was always looking for blocked arteries , I had never heard of MVA .... etc etc
Stay safe, stay well . I hope that you can get some help over the shopping issue !
My 86 year old husband manages perfectly well to order food online - no ageist remarks please! Doesn’t always mean we get the food we need though.....😂
‘Shielding’ is different to vulnerable, I wish people could grasp the difference. If you are on the ‘sheilding’ list you shouldn’t be going out at all.
My problem is trying to stop the government food parcels which continue to arrive as I now don’t need them but stopping them seems quite problematic. I found the government response incredibly fast, efficient and very caring to those who needed it.
The first 2 weeks, before the supermarkets got their act into gear, those food parcels did keep us going and lessened our anxiety. Now the supermarket priority lists are working well I really don’t need food parcels and am trying to donate to our local community food larder - who won’t collect. Yes, sometimes they are unpredictable and sometimes you can get a delivery tomorrow and other times it is longer so forward planning is required.
Hope you continue to stay well. I’m also practising Patrick McKeon’s Covid prevention breathing - even indoors!
Hi jeanjeannie50 thanks for this, are you due to have another Cardioversion? so sorry you've been in AF since November
I rang my AF nurses in December and they said I probably wouldn't be offered another cardioversion (had two last year), but may look at different meds.
I'll toss my hat into this ring. This Cardio doc is emphatically stating that AF is a comorbidity, but the majority of medical experts are actually stating that anyone over 60 is quite vulnerable, over 70. high risk, over 80 well, keep exercising, don't smoke or drink, etc. Now that we know, really know, STAY THE F... AT HOME! And anyone that comes to your door, better be wearing a mask or don't open it. AND, if you need reminding, listen to this:
Hi Jean I hear the concern. Having afib scary enough now we worry about the virus on top of it. I’m having episodes again after none for past 2. Don’t know if it’s the stress of this virus lurking or just afib popping up again. This is a very stressful time for us all. I hear you loud and clear.
Most of the medications you take probably reduce your susceptibility to the effects of the virus. Lung problems caused by clots in virus... do you take blood thinners? Etc
Yes, warfarin. This post is 10 months old, but of course the subject is still valid.
Jean
I'm just relieved that our family group is not too sensitive and panicky over this virus.
We are not in the least concerned and never watch or listen to the news. An occasional read on our cellphone is enough.
I also don't need a piece of paper to prove to my family that I really am sick. Worrying won't help me at all.
No, I'm not a worrier either. Whatever will be, will be.
Jean, whilst I agree with what Bob and Finvola have said I can see your problem with being in continual AF.
If I was suffering the way I was at the beginning of the year I would certainly be concerned. All you can do is continue to be vigilant as I'm sure you are. This is all so new to everyone and opinions change from day to day.
This is part of the problem of "hyper-normalization" in that we dont know which source of new or information to turn to in order to access truthful information. There is so much fake news out there, and supposedly reputable sources like the BBC are exhibiting bias and following the government narrative. Where do we go?
Personally, as crazy as it sounds, I got my understanding from 2 podcasts with notable medical professionals on them.
Stay safe, be sensible and do what you have to to avoid infection.
The trouble with the government narrative in the UK is that it has become totally untrustworthy because of lies and machinations. Add to that the bias of news organisations and you get what we have at the moment. What sickens me most is that the misery of thousands of families in the UK is being exploited by the more sensational press in death graphs and 'statistics' to push up their readership figures.
I agree with your source of information - especially if it is free of interference by the leader of the free world.
Good to hear from you - how is going in Japan? We don’t seem to be hearing much at all about international news and I totally agree that we what we don’t need is daily death statistics. We’ve now stopped watching/listening to the BBC news.
The government is utterly shocking, they spent 50 billion $ to provide every family in the country with 2 cloth masks, there are 4 in my family, so I guess we are supposed to play rock/paper/scissors to decide who uses them.
Anyway, the contract to make/provide the masks went to Taro Aso's (foreign secretary) friend, his company couldn't fulfill the order due to the virus so it was subcontracted out to a company in myanmar. The masks are found to be infected with mites, human pubic hair and are moldy, so utterly useless.
The masks are so bad, they have been recalled at a loss of 50 billion to the Japanese tax payer.
No lockdown, just an advisary for 7 counties, during which people continued to travel/work/have parties etc etc and the virus continued to spread. We now have more cases than south korea which was once top of the list and the first country to pass china in numbers.
Then, we had a nationwide state of emergency where a further advisory was given, which half the country ignored. They wanted to decrease footfall by 80% in cities.
My city was the worst in Japan and only reduced public footfall by 28%.
This means that 75% of people ignored the advisory, and as there is not punishment or fine, what motivation is there for the cockwombles of Japanese society to stay indoors?
Mark my words, Japan will have massive losses due to their inaction.
Several celebrities have died from the virus and according to my cardiologist the cases are much higher than the press report.
Deaths are being reported as "non specific pneumonia" and being cremated without being tested for the virus.
Funeral workers wear hazmat suits.
Sad, sad times that in Japan the economy is more important than human lives.
One guy was rejected from 110 hospitals before being found a bed 40km away from his home.
Terrible, Japan as a nation should be ashamed of their leaders.
Truly worrying. Our grandson and his wife were training for the Olympics and both hoped to compete this year. They are at the end of their competitive life and we knew something was going on as Japan (along with the IOC) failed to cancel, leaving athletes unable to train safely in Lockdown, or knowing what to do as they didn’t want to lose out. Eventually the IOC took the decision, whilst Japan continued to say they would go ahead and then agreed to delay for a year. We were all very concerned back in February about how Japan seemed to be behaving.
Hosting the Olympics is such an expensive enterprise, I could understand their reluctance to delay until more was known but what you have said, sounds far more like denial and deception.
Meanwhile - our government is still ‘taking scientific advice’ on whether or not there is a benefit from wearing a mask - with divided opinions and advice that all the masks should go to health and care workers - and which there are not enough of anyway.
Just heard a snippet of the news this morning that Trump suggested that if disinfectant killed the virus, maybe people could be take a dose of disinfectant.🙈🙉🙊😱
Are we leaving in a virtual reality dystopian government nightmare drama? Yes we are.
My 2 grandsons are part of a group of schools - led by teachers - who are making face visors as they have the the design technology and 3D printers. The boys have one of the smaller printers at home and are currently printing adjustable visor straps per hour. Comes to something when teachers and children can mobilise a response and respond to local hospital demand. My sister is ICU nurse in red zone - said their PPE is coming from local companies and schools and communities. Schools developed and make the visors & assembly, scrubs - ladies in the local community, specialised protective gowns & masks from government.
Meanwhile I am making our own masks - it seems that 3 layers of good quality cotton with a high thread count will give some protection - as long as you don’t touch the mask and then your face. Masks seem to be also a fashion item in Asia, I wonder if it will catch on here? I’m not planning on going out anytime soon though.
Hope you and your family all stay well and you all take very great care.
Infections can (and do) put you back into afib if you are in sinus. I think there's certainly an increased risk of an irregular HB kicking in for afibbers - if you are unlucky enough to get Covid. However with rate control that can be managed - having heart disease seems to be the real high risk factor.
Paul
Did you read the article Paul? It said that AF was one of the top ten causes for causing death for those with Covid19. I was just surprised to read that, as I'd been thinking it wasn't.
Jean
Hi Jean. I read the article and just checked it again. I can't find where it say's afib is one of the top ten causes of death with those with Covid ?
What I did find was
"The No. 1 cormobidity was high blood pressure. Hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, was in third place, followed by coronary artery disease. Atrial fibrillation and stroke also made the grim list."
Maybe it's me and I've missed something ? You know what I'm like 
I hope all is good with you x
Paul
Edit - also found "As of April 20, five of the top 10 chronic health problems suffered by people who have died of COVID-19 in New York — the U.S. epicenter of the crisis — involved cardiovascular disease"
Not afib Jean ?
Atrial fibrillation made the list of the top 10 causes of dying with the virus.
Hi there. Hope you are still ok after your absent minded face touch incident at the supermarket.
I am reading this 18 days after you posted this so I am catching up. But as I read it (I may be wrong) the list quoted is the New State Dept list of comorbidities with Covid death. The link below. Comorbidity is simply a co-existing condition, I think, not a cause as such?
As we are all more vulnerable as we are older, the most common comorbidities for older people will always be top of the list of comorbidities of those who die of Covid. Hypertension will always be top of the list as it's the most commonly treated condition as we age.
Anyway all it means for me is to try hard not to catch this thing. I hope you are ok.
covid19tracker.health.ny.go...
Thank you for that link, I found it very interesting. I don't think I've seen anything as detailed before. I wonder if we in the UK have listed deaths with so much detail and wonder if you should put it as a general post on here for all to see?
I'm still alive after my supermarket mishap and no symptoms as yet. To be honest I haven't given it much thought recently.
I thank god I'm not a worrier.
Hope you are keeping well.
Jean
Funnily enough the link was in the piece you posted, but a long way down, and that was the "list" the article was talking about. But yes I will post it.
Glad to hear you are well!
Jean - I’m with Bob. Too many unknown, unknowns currently to draw any conclusions.
What exactly does - ‘being on the vulnerable list’ mean? I think everyone is vulnerable but there are those with certain conditions it is known there is absolutely no chance they would survive so wouldn’t receive (nor would I personally want to receive) critical care mechanical ventilation. I’ve told my family that and I’m not worried about it.
People such as I are on the ‘need to be shielded’ list - which is different to the vulnerable recommended to self-isolate ie it’s a personal choice -means that neither I nor my husband can go out of the house - at all. No walks, no shopping, no car travel - nothing. That is a very small list of people of which heart disease doesn’t really feature - it’s more to do with the lack of immune response so -people who are immune compromised. I am still receiving letters and telephone calls and texts daily with advise and to remind me to stay indoors.
A very good friend of mine - in constant AF - is now recovering from COVID - she had a very high temperature for 2 weeks with a rash and chronic fatigue but no other symptoms - her immune system worked, although she was very ill for those weeks luckily she did not require hospitalisation and is now back to walking and going out whilst social distancing.
I have stopped reading all those alerts simply because uncertainty heightens anxiety which stresses the body which in turn suppresses the immune response - suggest you also turn those alerts off during this pandemic and smell the roses and enjoy your walks. Wish I could.....
After reading this article I'm no more concerned about catching the virus. Was just surprised to see it in the top ten causes of death from COVID19. If anything I'm probably too much the other way, carefree and think whatever will be will be and worry won't change anything. I was however thinking AF would cause no problems if I had the virus, so was surprised to read in the link that it rates in the top 10 causes.
Sorry to hear that you can't go out and enjoy a walk. Lets hope this virus is soon just a distant memory.
Jean
Glad you’re no more worried about catching the virus. Who knows what will happen but living for the day, thank goodness for my garden! I can do a Captain Moore and walk laps! I just feel for those in tiny flats in towns and cities who don’t have that option.
Really appreciating what I have and enjoying every moment.
PS - still holding kefir grains for you - maybe for a long while..........
Oh to have that lovely train ride along by the sea and river to Exeter. Will look forward to meeting up again.
I thought of making me my own kefir - would you recommend that? Where do you get your grains from?
Many thanks
Steve
Yes I make my own - really easy - we have a local sharing group as they tend to multiply but obviously one thing which doesn’t work on line!
If you go to this blog run by Tiffany who is a friend & runs all sorts of fermenting courses - email her asking for some grains - she does both dairy & water grains - I’ll post in a separate reply!
Asan aside, if anyone is fearful that they might have it, a simple do-it-at-home-test can help. A report was published today that I copied here in the US - buy a pulse oximeter:
A New Hampshire emergency room doctor says simple technology could save lives in the fight against the coronavirus. Dr. Richard Levitan, who has three decades of experience, volunteered last month at Bellevue Hospital in New York City for 10 days and shared what he learned in a New York Times op-ed.
Levitan told "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King that people could potentially detect coronavirus earlier by checking their oxygen levels at home with pulse oximeters.
Read part of their conversation below.
Dr. Richard Levitan: People were sick for days, and then they only came in with shortness of breath, like, the day they presented. ... And they would arrive with oxygen levels that basically were incredible to us. I mean, almost unimaginable how people could be awake and alert and have oxygen levels that are half normal. … Normally we are 94% to 100% on these devices, these pulse oximeters that measure how much oxygen we have in our blood. And people were showing up with oxygen levels of 50%. Now, this matches the level of oxygen that we've measured on the summit of Mt. Everest. And it's amazing to me that patients could be sick for days, getting sicker, not realizing it.
There is a long established correlation between the number of drownings and ice cream sales. Should we ban ice cream?
Makes sense from a purely generalised view. I've maintained for years when I'm ill with something else it either takes me longer to get over it.... or it kicks off a PAF episode. Even when medicated.
Colds, Chest infections, D&V, covid-19.... viral or bacterial it adds to the strain. It's taken 5 years+ to get this point over to my manager and some people still don't accept it.
Those people who can't accept and understand the awfulness of ill health are generally those who have never suffered from it. I can remember when I was very young wondering why old people always talked about their ailments, we'd laugh about them. Well it's not so funny now I'm there! I find I tend to keep quiet about what I have wrong when talking to family or friends. No one really wants to hear our health problems.
Being on the list myself I wish I wasn’t
Ok after a 3 week battle getting a priority slot at ASDA is great, but it’s outweighed by virtually every medic you contact asking you if you want to consider DNR
Have persistant AF but also other co morbidities
Keep safe
I'd want them to ask me, so that I can make sure they understood that 'no' I don't want to be resuscitated. Though I'm sure when this has been asked many times it would be easy to get a bit fed up with such a dismal question.
Glad you've managed to get food shopping delivered.
I feel annoyed because I like a certain make of lactose free milk, but am only allowed to have three 1L packs, which won't last me a week. I try to explain that I don't want to come back again to get more, but it falls on deaf ears. They only do the one size. Now if I could have tolerated normal milk I guess I could take three huge containers of it!
Jean
I find it sad that people complain that they have not been issued with free face masks.
WTF. When it's cold and I'm wearing jocks thermal underwear and thick jeans and then fart. Within seconds the fart escapes the bindings like Harry Houdini and waifs across the room to everyone's noses.
What will keep airborne viruses from entering a finicky face mask?
Lightheadedness With AF
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