Can a chest infection cause AF to start?

[Cha275rL]

For the last week I’ve had a horrible chest infection with a very deep loud cough ( unfortunately for my other half). I’m asthmatic, which tends to make it worse. Since Thursday I’ve been in AF, which is extremely unusual for me, because when I get it , it only lasts about a couple of hours. It’s pretty fast AF, 140-160 bpm, and get breathless going upstairs. I know some of you have aPIP for this, but have never been given that as yet. I am on 50 mg atenolol every day but that doesn’t seem to help the racing heart much.

I’ll put an email in to my GP tomorrow, but just thought maybe someone could tell me if the cough could bring it on. Thanks to anyone who replies.

,

[BobD Volunteer]

Any inflammation can bring on AF, especially chest infections. Have you done a covid test?

[Cha275rL in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, yes I did, but it was negative luckily.

[C66t in reply to Cha275rL]

That's a relief!! As Bob said any infection can trigger af. Good luck with GP.

[Jalia]

I've had some pretty awful coughs over the years but they have never brought on my AF which is always waiting in the wings.Do ensure that you speak to your GP tomorrow if your AF is sustained at 140/160 though and meanwhile rest up.

[Cha275rL in reply to Jalia]

I will thanks Jalia. Back in nsr now thank goodness. What a relief.

[Jalia in reply to Cha275rL]

Good to hear. Take care .

[Cha275rL in reply to Jalia]

Thankyou x

[Truckerclark]

I’ve had AF for years ,also have asthma & pacemaker ,,,each time I get a bad cold or chest infection ,it kicks of my AF worse than normal , coughing particularly brings it on and ,makes me light headed and unsteady ,,,so take care and hope you get to see doc asap ,,,,

[Cha275rL in reply to Truckerclark]

Thanks Truckerclark. Waiting for a phone call…..

[Leechg]

Yes, I have found that a nasty cough can tip my heart into AF. Hope you feel better soon.

[Cha275rL in reply to Leechg]

Thanks for that Leechg

[CDreamer]

Absolutely - chest infection guaranteed to start AF.

[Cha275rL in reply to CDreamer]

Went back into nsr last night, but still getting a few extra beats, which are horrible. Thanks CDreamer.

[CDreamer in reply to Cha275rL]

They may last a few days but rest and staying well hydrated will help.

[bassets]

I agree with all the comments here. Chest infections are he pits and I was told in hospital that they will bring on AF. Not so good for those of us with asthma like me. Hope you are feeling better now x

[Cha275rL in reply to bassets]

Thanks a lot, I’m sure I will soon.x

[Hidden]

Yes, definitely. My AF first started in context of an extreme viral chest infection - I thought my ribs would break with coughing. Cardiologist I saw then said it may not recur for years, very outside chance of never returning. 4/5 years later it did. Good luck!

[Cha275rL in reply to Hidden]

Thanks FaberM, much appreciated.

[MoyB]

I have COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis so cough regularly. Sometimes, a particularly strong cough sets off the AF and it can last a while before settling again.I'm waiting for catheter ablation procedure due to my AF becoming more problematic this year. Xx Moy

[Cha275rL in reply to MoyB]

Thanks MoyB. Good luck with it x

[Crystalbowl]

I think my AF was probably started with a virus and most likely a chest infection. I was hospitalised whilst on holiday in Madeira 3 years’ ago because of a chest infection which had sent my heart markers sky high. Not sure about the AF as it is permanent now in my case and I am largely asymptomatic.

[Cha275rL]

Bit of a bummer getting that on your holiday, but good that you’re asymptomatic. Thanks for that.

[daysyday1]

I had a cough which turned out to be a chest infection and I am certain that it was the coughing that started of an Afib episode that needed hospitalisation. The consultant agreed that it was most likely the coughing that caused it as it is like a valsalva episode with each cough and if in sinus rhythm it can cause arrhythmias.

[Cha275rL in reply to daysyday1]

Interesting to know that. Hope you’re ok now. Thanks.

[Rachel1945]

Can a terroist attack in which my sister-in-law was killed ( I was with her) have brought on my constant F B

[minchern]

Yes my chest infection moved into pneumonia and put me into AF so in my case it did there a quite a few articles regarding this so its pretty common. I ended up with Cardioversion as post infection I did not revert to NSR.

[Cha275rL in reply to minchern]

Oh that sounds dreadful. Hope you’re ok now.

[minchern in reply to Cha275rL]

Yes Tks all good now 2nd month and in NSR

[Cha275rL]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. Got a phone consult with doc, and have an antibiotic and steroids, so that should sort it out. As for the AF, she said call for an ambulance if the high heart rate starts again. Fingers crossed it doesn’t.

[Flyer2820]

Hi Cha275rLA couple of years ago I had a chest infection and I collapsed three times resulting in being hospitalized for two days. The af which I had,coupled with the chest infection did not sit well together and that was the reason for the blackouts. Once I was on antibiotics and the chest infection cleared I could cope with the af without blacking out. So I think one will make the other one worse and if it is coupled with other conditions it will be aggravated even more.

Thankfully I have had an ablation since and am af free so as I have only recently had a chest infection have had no other problems.

Hope this helps and good luck for the future.

Regards Flyer.

[Cha275rL in reply to Flyer2820]

That sounds horrendous Flyer. So glad you’re much better now. Thanks for your help.