Effect of Covid on AF: I am now... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Effect of Covid on AF

BriontePip profile image
20 Replies

I am now recovering ( tested positive 7 days ago) from a nasty bout with Covid . I am finding that my heart rhythm is all over the place. Had an ablation in December and have been largely but not entirely in NSR for a while. I am now either tachycardic, unclassified or possible AF according to my kardia .

Has anyone else had similar experience?

thanks for your thoughts

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BriontePip
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20 Replies
Cat04 profile image
Cat04

I had a very successful RF ablation for PAF in October 2018 and remained afib free until Easter this year when my heart went into a really fast beat, next day when I tested for covid, I was positive. I was admitted to hospital for 3 days and diagnosed with atypical flutter with 2:1 block. Despite increasing my normal bisoprolol dosage, adding digoxin and now last week swapping bisoprolol for sotalol which I am curently titrating up to 320mg daily with ecgs every 2 weeks, I remain in flutter and afib.

My EP/cardiologist is hoping to get the rate and/or rhythm controlled and is looking to do a surgical ablation at some unknown date in the future. However, had I stayed in aflutter I could have had the simpler cti ablation but now I'm afib & flutter that boat has sailed.

Unfortunately covid has been responsible for many people being thrown into arrhythmias.

Puzzled8 profile image
Puzzled8 in reply toCat04

Had Covid back in March 2020. Hospitalised for 4 days due to tachycardia . Still trying to get rate down 2 years later. It is finally starting to improve now, although still over 100 resting. Am currently on Diltiazem slow release 120mg twice daily, as could not tolerate Bisoprolol . Review due next week to see if doze needs increased. Prior to Covid, I was perfectly normal 60/70 resting rate although already on usual meds after 2 stents fitted in 2015.I wish you best of luck . Sounds as though you are being well looked after by cardiologist.

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply toCat04

Thank you for your reply - and I am sorry to hear about your experience. I do hope that you manage to get the treatment you need . I am hopeful that my arrhythmia will settle once I recover from the acute phase if Covid. We have to stay hopeful !

Yachtsman profile image
Yachtsman

Hi

Yes, after an ablation in 2020 I was in NSR almost 100%. During and after Covid in June this year I had a lot of Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC's). These showed up on my Kardia as unclassified. I upgraded to Kardia Care to find out what was going on.

After about 3 weeks I returned to 100% NSR.

Heart arrythmia is a common Covid symptom.

All the best

Colin

JackyMac profile image
JackyMac in reply toYachtsman

I was the other way around. I was in AFib for three months but couldn't get to see the cardiologist. Then Covid came with a lung infection which the doctor said would get better without antibiotics. Two months later I still had trouble walking up steps and tired. Another trip to the doctor, infection in both lungs. A cardioversion came and I now just about back to full (ish) health. I'm convinced having AFib gave me a bad Covid experience.

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply toYachtsman

Thank you Colin . It is really helpful to read about your experience.I am keeping my hopes up for a return to something like NSR when I recover from this stage of Covid.

Lupaal profile image
Lupaal

I had my first ever af episode a few weeks after getting covid, before the vaccinations.

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply toLupaal

Thank you for your reply. i do hope that you are receiving treatment . Best wishes

Easternmost profile image
Easternmost

I had an ablation for flutter in Oct 2020 and had a couple of episodes of tachycardia after Covid in Dec 2021. Barts nurse told me that they are seeing this frequently and hopefully episodes should clear after a few weeks or even months , once the virus has gone. Every case is different though, so always check with your own consultant/doctor. Wishing you well.

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply toEasternmost

Thank you - really helpful. I am now not taking any medication ( apart from Edoxaban) and don’t want to have to go back!

mjames1 profile image
mjames1

I had my first afib episode in many months during Covid. Don't know if was being dehydrated or just the insult to the body of a major virus.

Jim

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply tomjames1

Thank you . We are so attuned to our heart rhythm if we have af that I sometimes feel I cause arrhythmias with anxiety ! I have certainly felt the insult to my body during the past week of Covid though and hope as this lessens my hr will settle down .

javo123j profile image
javo123j

I had COVID last Christmas but then was in sinus rhythm for 4 months which is my longest spell afib free in years. Probably just coincidence. Unfortunately it's back and had 5 episodes since then

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply tojavo123j

I’m sorry tohear that. I hope it settles for you. I am keeping my fingers crossed for NSR asap .

iris1205 profile image
iris1205

5th ablation in December 2021

Symptoms slower and less in duration... 1-2x per week 150bpm 8-12 hours instead of 1-2x per week 180-200 bpm for 24-34 hours

COVID two weeks ago, and just as with the vaccine, major reaction, more Afib and Aflutter.

Hoping we all can have a few breaks in 2023! Best wishes - Annie

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply toiris1205

I agree! My symptoms nowhere as dramatic as yours sound to be . I hope you continue to recover and that your af and flutter settle . Best wishes

iris1205 profile image
iris1205

Never a competition, just more data... grist for the mill! We got rain here today, I am counting that as a good day! Take care!

Amcech profile image
Amcech

Did they prescribe a medication for the Covid? I was reading that the one prescribed here in the US can cause heart arrhythmias.

BriontePip profile image
BriontePip in reply toAmcech

No - no medical treatment . I self medicated at home .

This is exactly why I haven’t stopped masking in public spaces. I have just gotten my arrhythmias under control - definitely don’t want to poke the beast.

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