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
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.
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.
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 !
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
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.
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.
I had my first ever af episode a few weeks after getting covid, before the vaccinations.
Thank you for your reply. i do hope that you are receiving treatment . Best wishes
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.
Thank you - really helpful. I am now not taking any medication ( apart from Edoxaban) and don’t want to have to go back!
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
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 .
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
I’m sorry tohear that. I hope it settles for you. I am keeping my fingers crossed for NSR asap .
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
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
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!
Did they prescribe a medication for the Covid? I was reading that the one prescribed here in the US can cause heart arrhythmias.
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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