COVID 19 and AFIB

[KMRobbo]

You may be interested in this from WebMD regarding COVID 19 and AFIB

webmd.com/lung/news/2020110...

[CDreamer]

Not recommended reading for those with a nervous disposition.

[Sixtychick in reply to CDreamer]

Thats going to ramp up my health anxiety

[CDreamer in reply to Sixtychick]

Then don't read it. That's why I put up a warning. There is a lot of information that can be unhelpful if you have health anxiety as any anxiety is going to exacerbate existing conditions.

Oh and do read MarkS's comments. Studies are very difficult for those not trained in how to read them as it is mainly statistical information and there are 2 types of statistics, as the saying goes - Lies and dammed lies.

[BobD Volunteer]

Oh what a cheerful person you are. Just do like the rest of us and take precautions.

[KMRobbo in reply to BobD]

Thats why i thought it was worth reading.

[tcpace in reply to KMRobbo]

Thanks for posting it. Reassuring for those of us on ACE or ARB blood pressure tablets given the early scare stories when CV19 first raised its ugly head. Also a timely warning for those with AF and their friends/relatives etc to be extra careful. What isn't clear is the impact on people whose AF has been "cured" by ablation.

[KMRobbo in reply to tcpace]

I am in the same position but I am assuming that my " cure" doesn't count. The reason why is probably not scientific but I have read that Covid gives some (not all) people AFib, and assuming that having had AFib I am more succeptible to it , so more likely to get it via Covid, so then in the same boat as someone who already has it. Several "leaps" in assumptions there but the safest bet is to try not to get Covid then I wont find out!

[pottypete1]

That’s cheered me up no end😂

[Hidden]

Your an absolute tonic KMRobbo. Bet your fun at a dinner party!!

[Hidden]

In attempt to try and get things into perspective, the link between Coronavirus and AF has been raised several times at our “virtual” support group meetings and in the opinion of the medics who have spoken, lone AF is not considered to be an underlying health condition. Anyone with AF and other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure etc etc then the situation is likely to be different. Hopefully, most folk with AF are a bit more savvy and take precautions to protect themselves as much as possible........

[KMRobbo in reply to Hidden]

Until I read the article I did not believe Afib was potentially an additional risk factor. I am 60 so I am in a fairly high risk group anyway, so behave as much as I can appreciating that (21 year old son living at home is a difficulty).

However there are people on this forum with AFib who are not in high risk age groups groups who perhaps need to be aware.

[Jalia in reply to KMRobbo]

Not a bad idea in my opinion to draw attention to the need to follow government guidelines particularly for those living in the high risk areas.

[Paulbounce]

Doesn't make for happy reading I must admit. It makes us all aware (regardless of being in afib or not) to make sure we follow social distancing reg's etc.

However it's not all bad news.

"Looking at 17 studies, researchers found that people on two common types of heart medication -- ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) -- were not at increased risk of testing positive for COVID-19. And when they did fall ill, they were at no greater risk of dying compared with patients not taking the medications"

A quick Google also shows that some (quite a few) deaths from covid occur from a stroke caused by the virus. We afibbers on an anticoagulant are safer than the general population in this respect.

One other thing to note. Other surveys show there is no greater risk having afib and covid. In fact some members on this forum have had covid and said it made no difference to their afib at all.

I also think until such surveys are peer reviewed the findings are in no way conclusive. It's often the case that other underlying factors play a role.

Paul

[wilsond in reply to Paulbounce]

Paul

Thank you for this sensible reassurance ,makes sense to me

I appreciate that knowledge is power but also need a lot of positivity at the moment.

The study findings may well be helpful on focussing those who might be a little laid back into better self care, although all such studies have their limitations and can get interpreted in various ways .

Fingers ,knees and elbows crossed for the roll out of vaccines. What an achievement by the scientific world!

[Paulbounce in reply to wilsond]

Hiya Wil.

First of all I hope all is good with you and you are keeping well and healthy.

Yes I totally agree about us all keeping our fingers crossed about the new vaccine - it sounds very positive. I have just seen this mornings headlines and there was more good news. Another one has been developed with 95% immunity. Let's hope these bring hope for us all and we can start to return to normal in 2021. I think (and hope) it really could be a Happy New Year.

Have a lovely day and take care of yourself.

Paul

[Sixtychick in reply to Paulbounce]

Thats reassuring

[wilsond]

Thank you for sharing KM,if it makes one person to raise their protection game it's worth it.

I think most of us on here are pretty cautious but it's those who are not that worry me ! As in the general population ,some people are just cruising along with various conspiracy theories about Covid even with underlying conditions.

Studies can be interpreted in different ways of course but it's good to read to compare info.

Look after yourself

[Polski]

I've always felt this must be so, but I take comfort in the knowledge that we have the anticoagulants which help, so I think it's a swings and roundabouts situation. Either way I prefer to stay as safe as possible!

[qp3usavk]

Great! Have had my arrhythmia "restored" by cardioversion but reading many comments here, my existing anxiety has rocketed. So now I seem to be at higher risk because: a) I am not on blood thinners, b) I am not on ace or arb meds for my high bp and I'm nearly 60. The only plus is I'm female. Well, thank goodness for that!!!! I know of 70 year old obese diabetics having Covid recently and recovering with no problems at all. I think a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Covid appears to attack randomly so often. Yes, there are risks for some but we need to put things into perspective. Stay safe and careful, of course, but don't read anything that might scare you: your bp will certainly rise then. And your afib won't thank you for it.

[MarkS]

Once again we have a misleading article.

The study found that those with Covid who had an AF episode in hospital had a worse prognosis. It did not say those with pre-existing AF came out worse.

20% of Covid patients had an AF episode whilst in hospital. That is far higher than the general rate of AF.

So what it really means is that having Covid so seriously that you need to enter hospital can lead to AF amongst a host of other risks.

I would also say that this is a study of just 400 patients and the results are statistically not really relevant. We should stop worrying.