Hi Just have a general question that's been on my mind for a while. In short, following afib diagnosis in Oct 21 and eventual ablation all has been relatively good; no obvious afib runs, have sensation of ectopics but not giving cause for concern. EP and cardiologist didn't feel that I needed any medication, assuming because other than this afib that came out of nowhere & Graves Disease diagnosis the year before (confirmed no link between the hyperthyroidism & irregular heart rate but looking like hyperthyroidism was triggered by covid) my health is on the whole good.However I've noticed when it comes to coughs, colds, chest infections I have real trouble getting rid of them. They go on for weeks if not months. Most recent bout needed 2 lots of antibiotics to help clear.
As these are chest / respiratory related I just wondered if when you have afib you are more susceptible to these kinds of illnesses?
Hope that makes sense! Thanks
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It’s a good question, I have similar experience but in my case it’s because I take immune suppressant medication so any infection takes weeks to clear my system.
I think AF will mean you are slightly more vulnerable though.
Hi CDreamer Thank you for your response. Did wonder as since having covid and all this afib stuff kicking off, I've never had so much trouble with respiratory illnesses. Was never an ill person before all of this. It does make sense what you say though. Thanks
Can I ask how they discovered the hyperthyroidism wasn't linked to they irregular heart rate? I developed hyperthyroidism (not Graves) out of nowhere last October and at the same time got Afib. All my doctors have said not is almost certainly the hyperthyroidism that has caused the Afib. I read that 60% of hyperthyroid patients that go into Afib will revert to NSR after they have been euthyroid for a while. My thyroid appears to be on the mend but fib not improving and I am probably going to have an ablation later this year.
Hi Jafib53 I was under endocrinology at the same time as cardiology, for a period of c.12 months. It was thought initially they were linked & I was seeing endo quite regularly at the time, undergoing regular tests.
I'd also had a loop recorder implanted previously to monitor things following an initial collapse in April 2020 which started me off on this cardiology journey.
Both consultants were in contact with each other and said the endo test results did not support what cardiology were seeing.My thyroid levels had levelled off (believe its termed going into remission for Graves?) at the time of a 2nd near collapse which resulted in the afib diagnosis.
This was followed 3 months later by another episode which again, endo tests showed my thyroid levels were not linked.
I just seem to have been hit by a double whammy of thyroid and cardiac issues in a relatively short space of time.
I see. That's interesting. I was under the impression that they thyroid levels can kick off the Afib but even when the thyroid levels are okay, the afib can still stick around. I initially went to the doctor for an irregularity in my heartbeat which turned out was Afib and on that first day they tested my thyroid levels and realised I was hyper. Since then both the endos and the cardios have all just said the thyroid is what has caused the fib, but I do sometimes wonder if i already had fib and discovering it this way was just a (lucky?) coincidence!
TBH I wonder if I've had it for years and only picked up on it in 2021. I remember having what I thought was a lot of palpitations in my mid-20s. Didnt bother me. Was due to see the GP and then they stopped as quickly as they started. Also noticed sometimes after running around like an idiot all day, a number of occasions when I finally sat down of an evening I got the sensation of "falling over" but as I was already sat down I never hit the deck. After a few moments the sensation passed.
This all changed 1 month into the 1st lockdown when I did hit the deck. No warning, just went.
Anyway the ablation seems to have done its job so now I just try to make sure I'm as healthy as possible, get regular exercise, eat well and try to notice any triggers for the ectopics I experience now and then.
It sounds like the COVID might be the reason for taking longer to recover from respiratory infections. Perhaps means you need to be extra careful and mask up in crowded places. You've a good reason. When people look at me when I'm.masked I simply say 'heart condition' and leave it at that.
Hi Singwell I will be asking the question when I see my GP. But I will not wear a mask. Clearly I'm no clinician but part of me feels that with masking up you would stop yourself being exposed to whatever viruses are out there, not giving your body a chance to build up any immunity. Maybe because we masked up in the previous 2 winters is why so many people seem to be floored this winter? But like I said I'm not a clinician so don't know anything!
I don't think youe alone in this actually. Although personally I DO tend to mask nowadays, partly because I'm a professional voice user working with other professional voice users. But when I saw my EP last December he said it was fine to take off my mask if I wished while we were talking. I think.he picks up a lot on.visual cues and masks.do tend to.change out breathing pattern.
My take on this is that whilst any infection or inflamation can trigger AF events, having AF does not make us more suseptable to infections. I also feel strongly that Covid can leave one with long term chest problems as well as possible arrhythmias.
Thanks BobD So much info out there, difficult to know what exactly is right. My GP has ordered bloods to be done because of the amount of times I'm coming down with these respiratory illnesses and how long it takes me to shake them off. I'll certainly ask the question!
Has your GP checked you for asthma? I used to suffer terribly from respiratory illnesses from childhood but when eventually diagnosed with asthma and my treatment sorted out it is very rare for me to get a respiratory illness. Also didn’t have Covid very badly. I have atypical asthma, I cough instead of wheeze. Asthma is not always easy to diagnose.
Hi Buffafly No GP has never tested me for asthma. In fact I haven't seen the GP in person since well before 1st lockdown. I've always been healthy even as a child. Only since covid came on the scene have my health woes started!I'll see what he says when I get my bloods back.
If I remember from my days in the industry, asthma would usually result in poorer breathing in the morning compared to the evening. You can test this easily yourself by buying a low-priced peak-flow meter and using it throughout the day and recording how well you "puff". Any significant drop in morning peak flow would need a doctor's advice.
Hi JOY2THEWORLD49 Obviously I can't answer that question. All I know is both consultants were in regular contact and the tests I underwent did not produce any results that supported my thyroid causing the afib.As mentioned previously I just seem to have been hit with a double whammy.
Graves Disease looking like it was triggered by covid.
Afib materialising possibly before I had covid but as I was fobbed off by my GP originally, will never know!
I'm just glad it was eventually caught on the loop recorder and from that point the ball started rolling towards my ablation.
I have come to suspect the covid experience has somehow led to an increase in chronic catarrhal problems. I think most of the problems remain in the upper airways as a kind of sinus trouble but some will become bronchitic or even "chesty".
I've had chronic catarrh since catching covid at Christmas and my wife was similar, although hers has largely cleared recently, giving me hope. Mine, too, is somewhat better but still annoying. Neither of ours became infected that we know of, or, at least, required antibiotics.
Hi Ppiman I am going to raise the subject of respiratory illnesses and how I now appear to be prone to them when I speak to my GP. See what he says. In the meantime will just try to live a healthy a life as possible, and that it from there.
I would guess it's more a result of the covid. My son had it really badly right at the start- the type that killed so many then got it again last year when he flew to the USA. His lungs still haven't properly recovered from the first bout. I'd suggest asking your GP for a lung function test.
Hyperthyroid definitely predisposes towards AF. My own GP experienced an isolated AF episode 5 years ago whilst skiing and shortly afterwards discovered he was hyperthyroid - Once the hyperthyroid was addressed no AF since.
Hi mwcf All can say is what I've said elsewhere on this forum. Tests I had did not support the thought my thyroid was causing the afib. Just seems that although they can be linked, in my case they aren't. Just bad luck I guess.
Do you think you are retaining fluid when you are in afib or otherwise? If your lungs get congested with too much water, it might make it harder for you to clear them when you cough ?
Hi liketosing I honestly can't answer that question. Since the ablation I haven't had any afib runs. When I did have them it certainly didn't feel like my lungs were congested. It just seems I'm picking up respiratory illnesses more since having covid. I will be quizzing my GP when I see him!
Please tell me you are on a blood thinner. That was the first thing I was put on even before it was fully diagnosed. A fib is difficult to catch. It took eight months for mine. I had a loop recorder implanted, and it was diagnosed with him two weeks the following week I had an ablation. The thought of having a stroke terrifies me even with the pacemaker. I will probably be on one the rest of my life and that’s fine with me. I have not had, any real issues with the blood thinner even bruising is not that bad like it was in the beginning I can’t speak on other meds, but I think anyone with a fib should have a blood thinner and if you can’t use them talk to them about the watchman
I will be quiet about this, but I will see you this once to you. AFIB IS your risk factor maybe you need to read more. Blood pools and you can have a blood clot fast that will go to your brain possibly. It has nothing to do with anything other than blood not pumping so it’s it’s there and it clots. Think about when you cut or scrape yourself and you get a scab a scab there’s no more than a blood clot if you don’t wipe it. That has nothing to do with your chances it’s gonna happen. I would like to ask you to rethink and talk to your doctor. I cannot think of anything worse than having a stroke. I had family members with one people on here will tell you about it also.
best of luck there is no guarantee blood thinners will prevent one, but I am going to give it my best to try not to have a stroke
I will tell you what I have seen in the hospital. During the most illness-producing strains of covid, such as alpha & delta, there was an overwhelming number of cases of new afib. In fact, our hospital rented a mobile telemetry unit because we didn't have enough units for the patients. Many covid patients were having other, more serious respiratory concerns that made them less stable. The afib was a side note, so to speak. But, all patients are placed on VTE precautions (venous thrombus embolism)/ blood clot prevention strategies. The VTE uses medications, and/or leg pumps, and/or frequent walks to increase lower extremity circulation & decrease the risk of clot formation.I don't believe either of your physicians is having a complete understanding of the risks associated with underlying metabolic disease, hyper & hypothyroid, electrolyte disruption
fibrin coagulation, and the way covid affected all those factors.
There is alot of new information coming out showing how much more damaging covid was in people who had metabolic illness. Obesity & low vitamin D levels were huge predictors for severe illness & death. Whereas many were aware of the "comorbidity risk facotrs," there was alot of focus on the top five without paying attention to the common denominator of undiagnosed underlying metabolic disorder that is the top four "comorbidity risk factors." The risk factors or obesity, hypertension, diabetes, advanced age are all associated with decreased metabolic regulation and insulin resistance.
I'm not sure that all physicians were aware or are aware of this, even now. I'm not sure whether most physicians are reading the literature that early & mid-pandemic research was showing.
Regardless, your afib could be caused by a magnesium deficiency or a combination of a magnesium deficiency and fibrin clotting caused by the body's cytokine reaction to the sars cov-19 spike protein. The cytokine reaction causes a fibrin clotting cascade that can cause clots to form & also build of "scar tissue" formation in areas where there was inflammation, such as the lungs, heart, & other organs.
There are new modalities being proposed to treat these microclots, such as new systemic fibrin-dissolving enzymes.
You might benefit from taking an over the counter mag taurate supplement to help calm down the electroconduction of the heart during afib. Mag taurate is less likely to cause diarrhea & helps calm nerve conduction within the muscles. Many people experience better, deeper sleep, less anxiety, and less muscle soreness when taking magnesium taurate.
There are studies being conducted regarding the benefits of nattokinase, an enzyme produced from a japanese food, fermented soy beans, called natto. Nattokinase therapies have been used for decades to effectively treat women with uterine fibroids. Nattokinase has an excellent safety profile. Fibroids and amyloid fibrin microclots cause damage to many areas of the body, including heart, lungs and other organs during inflammatory distress, like covid, menstruation, viral infection, allergic response, asthma. Amyloid fibrin scars or fibrin build-up blocks the microscopic respiration between cells and cellular phospholipid layers. Systemic nattokinase enzyme therapy can help clear the fibrin accumulation safely from the organs, thus restoring the normal pathways for healthy cellular respiration and metabolic exchange.
Hi Morristhecat As it happens yes I'm taking magnesium supplements amongst others. I will be asking my GP whether covid has caused people to contract mire respiratory illnesses as before I caught it, was never like this!! In the meantime will continue to try and help myself and keep as fit and as healthy as possible
You may search out relevant research regarding the supplement nattokinase & how it has been used in treating the fibrin aggregation from covid.If you feel your doctor is helping you sufficiently, please disregard my suggestion regarding natto.
I have never read such a brilliant thread before on HU. Some very well informed and highly articulate contributors. I suspect we have been infiltrated by some bright sparks from a Thyroid board.
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