Hello.
A question for AF sufferers.
Has anyone who has had the covid vaccine, did it trigger your AF? As I'm due to have the AZ Vaccine this weekend and I'm worried it will trigger my AF off. I know it's a small price to pay rather than catch covid. But I can't even take cold and flu tablets without it setting off my AF 🤔.
I've had 2 ablations in the past couple of years.
I think many people who have the AZ vaccine have some reaction in the form of flu like symptoms for a day or so. Being older I had Pfizer and no problems at all apart from a slightly sore arm for either of mine.
If you normally have a bad AF time when you have a cold or flu then yes it may affect you as any inflammation can trigger an event but stay well hydrated and be positive. The alternative is far worse as you say.
Pfitzer for me - sore arm after 1st, headache, flu achiness, extreme fatigue, tiny blood clots from nasal passages, sore arm after 2nd for 36-48 hours. No heart arrythmias.
I have postponed my Covid jab because of this concern; haven't had AF for a long time and don't want to 'wake the baby'. I am speaking to my cardiologist later this week to see if any of his patients have gone into AF as a result or if he is aware of any national data for AFers (unlikely I know). I will post here if I learn anything new.
I asked my cardiologist and told me to just take it no matter what. I know what you mean though as I too haven't been too bad lately but I know if I caught covid the outcome would be a whole lot worse. I had suspected covid last March and was ill for a couple of months.Please let me know how you get on?
My son in law also suspects he got it back in March and just had his first jab with no significant reaction but he doesn't have AF. Don't want to stray into the world of stats with incomplete information......but you may have antibodies now and the vast majority who contract it are asymptomatic/ don't need hospital treatment. You do of course need to be fit & healthy.
Hello Bowcat, I had the AZ jab and had a bit of a feverish reaction for a day but thankfully no AF. I know a virus (suspected Covid) triggered my AF over a year ago so this had been concerning me prior to the jab as my AF is persistent & required a cardioversion - which I’d rather keep to a minimum to be fair.Good luck & stay strong 💪
Steve
I have had both mine without any side effects, other than a sore arm with the second one. It appears that it’s some younger people who are experiencing side effects - one of my daughters, who is 43 & two son-in-laws all did, who are 40 & 49. But these were just chills & tiredness.
My husband was fine. It was the AZ vaccine we all had.
Best wishes with what you decide on.
Ally
I have had two doses of Astra Zeneca, 2nd one 9 days ago. No Afib
I had my jab on 11th of February and went into AF that night. I am still in AF waiting for an ablation second jab on Thursday not sure if I will have any reaction, but worth it to avoid COVID Not very helpful sorry
Hi Bowcat, just had my second AZ vaccination last Saturday and had no problems at all, not even a sore arm. There was no way I was going to miss my vaccination due to AF so just got on with it. I decided to take it easy for a few days afterwards just to let my body recover from the vaccination (Dr John Campbell recommended this for everyone in a recent video). Hope all goes well for you. Best wishes Steve.
Thank you
I had AZ 13th feb got 2nd on Saturday 8th May. I did have a very short AF episode but then I’m not sure that was directly a side affect as I had terrible side affects from it for 10 days I yellow card reported it but my AF couldn’t been as a result of the cough etc I had as a result of the vaccine I’m dreading my 2nd dose but I will suffer a month of flu & AF rather than covid I know I will survive the side affects & they are only temporary compared to Covid where I may not survive
Had both vaccines and not a problem at all,my heart rate did not change at all. Go and get protected and stay safe.
I did have an attack after the second jab. There again though I may have had one anyway. It may just have been coincidence. Anyway fully vaccinated now and the attack just ran it’s course
I did not have any reaction
Forgot to say I had the AstraZeneca
I'm 75 and have permanent AF which is asymptomatic most of the time. I had the AZ vaccine. First jab gave me a niggling headache for three days taking 7 paracetomols during those three days. 2nd jab, a week ago, has caused no side effects. Neither jab affected my AF.
I cancelled my first appointment while I decided what to do, as I was really concerned about the vaccine triggering AF.
My GP wouldn’t even return my call to discuss it (no change there) - my heart consultant said he had heard about it happening but it was still less of a risk than getting covid. I see sawed for another two weeks before finally getting the jab (AZ) and fortunately I was ok. Not even a sore arm. Hopefully the second one will be ok too!
You may find our video helps to answer some of your questions? or please contact Patient Services for further advice - healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
OK thanks very much
Hello Bowcat 
I have very symptomatic P-AF which can be set of my the slightest thing like getting angry or upset. I am pretty sure the standard reaction of flu like symptoms I had to my second AZ vaccination triggered a reaction from my heart which was not just a normal AF event as it did with some other AFers according to the comments under an instructive video by the AFA. With such a huge vaccination programme a few people were likely to get a reaction.
It would have been helpful to have been made aware that this kind of reaction might happen and that you are not alone and to have been some given some useful advice .
I think it is also a good idea for those who can to rest after the vaccination to help your body while it is working to create antibodies also eat light meals and keep up the fluid intake.
Although unpleasant I don't consider having had a reaction to the vaccination to be important , things do settle down again.
The main thing is that AFers get protection from a virus that isn't going to go away any time soon and can itself cause really serious heart problems (and death) in addition to any existing heart problems .
So for me there is no question about having the vaccination, I would have it regularly regardless of any reaction rather than spend the rest of my life living in fear of contracting the virus.
I had flu-like symptoms after both doses of the Oxford vaccine, but no effect on my heart.
I've had one jab, it didn't seem to set afib off, I did feel quite ill for a couple of days, like flu but that's all
No probs with Pfizer. Best wishes.
Come to think of it, my Husband had his second Phizer jab three weeks ago and seems to be in permanent AF for the last couple of weeks - keeps popping off to bed several times a day - but that isn't right is it?? What is the best thing to do?
Hello Bowcat.
I had Pfizer in January on a Saturday and on the Monday I had Afib/tachycardia which took at least a month of trials and pills by hospital to get me right again. However I was told it was probably coincidence as I had been having a lot of problems throughout the December. I had my second jab in April and absolutely fine which maybe shows it was coincidence the first time???????
As you said better a hiccup, although probably it won’t happen, than catching Covid.
Good luck and try not to worry.
Hi Bowcat, I had the AZ vaccine on February 10th, discovered I was in AF the next day, and have been since. I had not to my knowledge had an episode prior to the vaccine for four years.
Fortunately, I have an appointment with a consultant today and my GP has advised that I speak to him about whether to have the second jab or not. Since I am already in AF, I'm thinking I may as well go ahead though I shall listen to the medical advice.
I've not read of many reported cases of the vaccine triggering AF and as, personally, I have more questions than answers around the condition I have no idea if my vaccination was the trigger on this occasion. However, as you can imagine, I do wonder.
On a recent trip to A & E a friendly nurse did say that she thought it was quite possible the vaccine was a trigger as the body treats it as an invading infection. It was noticeable, though, that doctors I saw subsequently chose not to offer an opinion.
I have had the first AZ and less impact than the seasonal flu shot. Had some minor joint stiffness at day 3 all gone the next day. I am 10 weeks out from a PVI for Paroxymal AFIB.Vaccination was a well managed process at my GP's surgery, in Canberra Australia.
Had AZ vaccine , no problem with Af following jab x
Had both no, problems,
I have had both my vaccine jabs (AZ) only mild side effects. You mention in your opening post that cold and flu medications trigger your AF. Afers are told not to take any over the counter medications for colds or flu, most of them have caffine or ibroprofen in them which triggers AF. Best to only take paracetamol, honey and lemon.
I didn't realise this. Thanks you. If only I knew this beforehand 😂
Same applies to cough mixtures, there is one recommended by my GP and that is Pholcodine, it contains codine, it is not great but does help (also quite cheap compared to over the counter cough mixtures).
Hi bowcat. Had both of mine and no AF at all which is good as prior to jab had a couple of bad episodes. I was just pleased to get the jab as have lived in fear of catching covid so good luck hope all goes well for you x
Yes thanks I found out the hard way 😂
I had no a-fib symptoms after both of my two vaccinations.
Hi Bowcat.......When I had my first jab (AZ) I felt lethargic & washed out the next day, then all ok.I had my 2nd jab Saturday 24th March & at about 2am went into AF. I took 100mg Flecainide & still in AF in morning. Took another 100mg & returned to NSR at around 10.30am.
However, since then have been having a bit of a fuzzy head, but has been getting better daily.
Still glad I’ve had the jabs & would certainly have a booster if needed.
All the best !!
I've had both AZ vaccinations. Slight headache and feverish for one day after the first but no reaction after the second. I think you should bear in mind that Covid 19 could kill you whereas a bout of AF if triggered by the vaccine is very unlikely to kill you.
I had pfizer, sore arm twice. Second one a very low temp. 99, tired, stiff, joints achy for 1-2 days. Thats it..... I was concerned to take it, but felt it was a opportunity to be more safe with the vaccine. So glad I did.
Two doses of AZ and not a murmur x
No issues with either of my Pfizer doses. Get vaccinated!
Just a headache and fatigue after first jab (AZ) but some arrhythmia including AF after the second jab. A bit gutting after a long run with a steady heartbeat! But it could have been total chance timing. And even if it wasn’t, I’d be first in the queue for any booster jabs! For me it’s wayyyy better than risking getting Covid
I totally understand your concern when you’ve been clear for so long. But the vast vast majority of people won’t have any arrhythmia triggered. The odds are very much on your side 😊 Good luck, do let us know how you get on! Jx
I had the Moderna vaccine and I went into AFIB the next day. My second dose did not trigger my AFIB. However, four weeks later I’m in AFIB and again a month later. My normal AFIB pattern is 1 to 2 per year. I’ve had 3 since the vaccine. I am a bit concerned now.
Had the first AZ shot 2 weeks ago.A non event really
Did notice that overnight my hr was elevated 10 bpm to 65 and my skin temp a bit up.(on my fitbit)
Now all normal
I'm 67 and have had paf about 18 months with last noticeable episode 14 months ago
On digoxin,flecanaide,perindopril ,eliquis and a statin
Statistically getting a jab is a definite no brainer
My only concern is about how few side effects I had.
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