I had a rather mild covid in early June (fever, runny nose, fatigue) but after 2 days when I was tested negative I have been feeling constant bumping , pounding,missing beats in my heart. My Apple Watch ecg is constantly ‘inconclusive’ . My usual heart rate is rather low ( rest is from 43) so there’s a problem with beta-blockers. I sent my watch ecg to the cardiologist and he told that it was SVT (ectopics) not AF and they usually don’t harm your heart.The situation makes me rather anxious as I am rather symptomatic and the amount of ectopics is very high. Firstly, ectopics started after mild physical activity (I am active and do lots of walking and swimming) but now they start from mornings and last until night.
Has anybody experienced something like that? I would be very grateful for any advice.
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Kittyca
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Are you on any rate lowering drugs? I asked because usually SVT refers to a rather fast arrhythmia, but at the heart rate you mention, it does sound more like ectopics. I'm sure someone will come along soon to assure you that ectopics alone are not serious and suggest various techniques for dealing with them. And Covid indeed can be playing a part and hopefully the ectopics will go away in time. As you know, none of us are doctors here, so always take that into account.
Hi. I have frequent supraventricular ectopics, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation often at same time during the height of an episode. I can have ectopics and flutters (several in a day, sometimes start as I wake up) that do not lead to full blown afib episode. It is all very disconcerting, since episodes are daily and throughout the day, so quality of life at mo sucks. Have had two A&E visits in last three weeks. When AF subsides I then have POTS which takes several more hours to resolve. Thinking of what you have written episodes definotely increased since I had Covid in Jan '21. I hadn't thought of that before. However I am convinced food / eating seems to be triggering my episodes. I am no further forward on managing episodes as struggling to see cardiologist at mo. Thinking of going privately for initial consultation to speed things up. If you find treatment pathway that helps please let me know. I will do the same. Watch this space.........
I will. The cardiologist told that definitely ectopics connected with covid. I am going to speak (fingers crossed! ) with him tomorrow and let you know a result.Bumping and pounding all day long is very stressful and even when I am in normal rhythm I am still waiting…….. very definitely to get rid of thoughts…..
Going private for an initial consultation cost £250. It was the best thing I ever did. AF patients have difficulty seeing an NHS cardiologist at the moment so private is the only way to get the info you need. S/he will write to your GP with advice. Follow up appointments are cheaper. It won’t fast track you to an ablation but you will find out all you need to know about your condition. Hope this helps.
As promised: saw a private cardiologist yesterday. He told that ectopics are very common and there is no need to worry (easy to say!😊). Nevertheless he advised: blood test, ecg, echocardiogram and 7 days monitoring. He stressed that all these are a ‘gold standard’ of nhs and all patients with ectopics must perform it.
I developed ectopics months after my ablation and had runs that lasted days. 4 years later I still get them, but I don't worry about them. However I do have most( or notice them most) , when I have a bug of some sort. So I am not at all surprised that covid would bring them on. I hope they reduce soon!Not medically trained .
I’m going into my second week of daily ectopics.!!!Had a days break yesterday but have woken with them this morning. They can be really distracting and can start the old anxiety level rising but I try to blank them out of my mind and carry on.
My EP told me that there not going to harm me so don’t worry( easy for him to say)😳
They usually start to subside around midday for some strange reason.
Iv tried breathing exercises, yoga, early bed, no coffee, the only thing I haven’t tried is dancing around in a Sesame Street big bird suit, and that probably won’t work either.!!!!
I had similar to you a couple of weeks ago- pretty sure it was a dose of COVID but tested negative throughout. I get these Supra Ventricular Ectopics too sometimes. Try to sit quietly for a few minutes and slow your breathing down to 6 times a minute. Remember to breathe in through your nose for this unless it's really blocked up. This usually sees the ectopics off and also helps one calm down.
I have suffered boughts of high volume daily ectopics, especially bad/worrisome in the evenings and in bed. Historically I was having AF episodes but 50mg Flecainide twice per day has addressed that but not the ectopics. I have since increased to 100mg twice per day and that has certainly helped although I have still had a few periods which I increasingly think is linked to exercise/physical activity which I am reigning back on intensity and frequency. Not sure if that resonates with you but maybe something to bear in mind.
I have AF (18 year history) but significantly worsened following covid first time around (2nd time around didn't seen to effect so much).My husband has long covid and has developed ectopics recently. His doctor thinks there is a link between the 2. Others ...he's part of a long covid support group...have had similar experiences. I don't know the science linked to it/ haven't seen much research, but been trying to look into it. It has exacerbated the fatigue for him and is a similar pattern to you, morning to night.
As it sounds like you are discovering, ectopics are generally thought to be benign. But you can request a referral to a cardiologist if it is troubling you.
Hi Kittyca a very similar thing happened to me a week or so back. I'm nine months post second ablation, everything by and large was OK until out of the blue literally hundreds of ectopic every hour, sometimes every fourth beat would be missed, this went on for three or four days then just as quickly righted itself. Funnily enough the more I busied myself the less to non existant they occurred. I like you felt fatigued and had a sniffy nose, other than that no symptoms. My partner has tested positive for covid last week. Does make you wonder if covid was to blame for said ectopic.
Your heart rate is low unless you're an athlete. My docs didn't like mine being low but reason was leaking mitral valve and now have repaired valve and pacemaker to stop it going below 60. Are you sure your apple watch helps and doesn't just cause you more worry. I have ectpoic pulse but only feel it when i take my pulse.
I didn’t have any heart trouble during my covid spelll in January, however, I used to have exactly what you are describing. Discovered a “healthy” drink I was drinking had sucralose (artificial sweetener) in it that caused this. Aspartame also set these off along with anything that contains wheat. I did end up having an ablation in 2016 but these continued, less forcefully, until I eliminated these ingredients from my diet.
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