Can Covid affect a successful ablation

[Norfolk_spaniel]

I had an ablation in October which has been successful and I've been in SR since then. Last Tuesday I went down with covid, I'm really ill with it and have been confined to bed with total exhaustion and lots of other symptoms. I'm now worried that because I feel so debilitated I could go into AF again. Anybody been in the same position? I'm 70 but currently feel like 90!

[etheral]

Get treatment immensely. If no major contraindications Paxlovid would be your best bet. Keep hydrated and take acetaminophen if you have a fever. Call your doc now! Covid has a big risk of promoting afib.

[Norfolk_spaniel in reply to etheral]

spoke to my GP on Friday and she didn't suggest that I need any medication as it is a virus.

[etheral in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

Your GP is badly mistaken. Paxlovid is a anti-viral that will dimininish your chance of having a serious problem if taken within the first few days of contracting Covid. In the states a pharmacist can prescribe it. I hope you can get better advice and I wish you luck, etheral

[Norfolk_spaniel in reply to etheral]

I don't think it's prescribed routinely in the UK. My GP was very clear that I just have to wait for nature to take its course and it will take time to recover. Today is day 6 and I still don't feel like getting out of bed. My ribs are so sore from coughing.

[etheral in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

If you can check your pulse oximitry and it is below 90%,you should see a physician to make sure complications such as pneumonia haven't set in. A+E if necessary.. Wear a mask..Best etheral...

[CDreamer in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

It is routinely prescribed if you are in a high risk group, you get it automatically from NHS Direct with a positive COVID test. AF and older age do not qualify you as in high risk group but if you take steroids, immune suppressants or are severely immune compromised you would be.

There are various anti viral drugs, one of which I have on repeat prescription.

[FancyPants54 in reply to etheral]

You sound American. We don't have anti-virals prescribed here unless you are a seriously ill person to start with, such as on cancer treatment etc.

We just have to trust in the vaccinations and hope for the best.

[CDreamer in reply to FancyPants54]

Not quite true - nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

[FancyPants54 in reply to CDreamer]

Well what they can do and actually do are two different things. I know of only two people prescribed antivirals for Covid despite knowing loads of people who have had it, some of whom are ill or old. One person who got it has Lukemia. The other was undergoing chemotherapy.

[jeanjeannie50]

I had both covid and pneumonia at the same time and all I can tell you is my heart took off racing in AF, don't know which illness was the cause. That was the first time since my ablation in 2016 that my pulse had gone really high. The good thing to know is my rate gradually went back down as I became better. So even if your pulse does misbehave, because of covid, I think it will go back to normal once you are better.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Just to be cheerful you probably still have a week or more of feeling bad judging by my experience last year. It will pass! Also impossible to tell if your AF will be affected but best to stay positive, well hydrated and resting. You are what you think so think happy and fit.

[mjames1]

Covid is the worst. Hopefully, your ablation will hold, but even if it doesn't I wouldn't read too much into it, given the insult to your system. As suggested, try and remain positive, stay hydrated (drink more than you think you need) and take Paxlovid if within the five day window, keeping in mind that it is contraindicated with a number of heart medicines, so check and double check that. Personally, I'd probably ask my ep if I could temporarily go back on flecainide for extra protection during this period. The catch is that flecainide is contrainicated with Paxlovid. Feel better and hopefully you will come out fine.

Jim

[Cat04]

I had a sucessful ablation for AFib in October 2018 with no re-occurance until I caught covid in April 2022. Went into persistant AFlutter/Afib & as a result was hospitalised. My bicuspid aortic valve also deteriorated "surprisingly quickly" according to my cardiologist so I ended up having OHS AVR, left atrial appendage clip, pulmonary vein isolation and ligament of Marshall divided.Take care & ring 111 if you have the slightest need to x

[CDreamer]

That is how COVID can make you feel. Rest and stay well hydrated and don’t try to do anything until you feel better.

I was AF free until I got COVID and was blue lighted to A&E. I was very ill for about 3 weeks and had pneumonia with it and went straight into AF. It took me about 3 months to recover completely but when I did, I went back into NSR and haven’t had much since so even if you do go into AF episode it may pass when you recover from COVID.

I suspect I’ve just had another bout of COVID but it was very, very mild. Most of the family have had 2,3 or even 4 times now.

I didn’t gain antibodies from the COVID jabs (I was tested after every one of the 6 jabs) but did respond after getting COVID and the last jab - which made me very ill but survived it all.

[Bowcat]

I've had 2 Ablations and was relatively OK until I caught covid and 2 chest infections 6weeks ago and have been back and forwards to my GP every week since as my AF has been playing up. A high and low heart rate and so breathless. I was told to just rest and take plenty of fluids. I am seeing her again tomorrow, she told me it could take months to fully recover. I hope not as I started a new job last Sept and I am worried I may lose it as I am too sick to work at the moment. I'm a 64year old female!

[Desanthony]

Keep hydrated and do whatever your Docs say and take whatever they prescribe. It is usually a good idea if you can get up and walk around a little whenever you can, if you can - even if its just to walk around the bed and get in the other side - or to the lavatory and back - this is what they told my niece when she had bad Covid a few months ago. If you are anything like my niece though she slept most of the time when she wasn't coughing - which I suppose is good.

Take care and let us know how you get on.