Hi, I’m new to posting on this forum though I regularly read everything posted. I have been very grateful for what I have learned about AFib since it is not easy to find practical information about living with the condition. I am 99.9% certain my AFib was caused by the Pfizer covid vaccine and the electrophysiologist that I recently visited privately agreed that this was more than likely.
When I had my last Covid booster in September I had some frightening symptoms the following morning. As I was going upstairs I became very breathless and clammy and I almost felt too weak to get to the top. I managed tu get to the bedroom and I lay down on the bed to recover. I then felt a squeezing sensation across my back between my shoulders which came and went for several minutes. After it stopped the other symptoms disappeared also.
I was very worried as I didn’t know if I’d had some sort of a heart attack. My husband drove me to our local A&E department where I was thoroughly tested. After receiving blood test results I was told that I hadn’t had a heart attack. I was obviously very relieved but now I have the worry of deciding whether to have another covid booster in three weeks time. I explained the situation to the electrophysiologist and he advised me to have the booster as he said it would be more dangerous for me to catch Covid. I did catch Covid last year and though it wasn’t particularly pleasant I got over it ok.
I would be very interested to hear your opinions about having another booster as it’s quite a worry for me. Many thanks for taking the trouble to read this
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Thank you for your reply 10gingercats. I am booked in for a Covid booster in three weeks time and with lots of hesitation will probably go ahead with it. I caught Covid last year after having a booster and I’m worried that without a booster this year I might not recover so well.
I just recovered from dose a few weeks ago, pretty much followed the pattern described but I did get chest infection with it and needed antibiotics. Even so it that was a lot better than the 3 weeks to recover from my last booster which is 12 months ago. My husband did spike a high fever with it which resolved with Paracetamol & fluids, no lasting symptoms for either of us so I am choosing not to have further boosters.
Thank you for your reply CDreamer. It sounds as though your last booster was a really awful experience. Three weeks is a long recovery time. I can understand why you have chosen to have no further boosters. My own bad booster experience lasted little more than ten minutes but it was very scary. Take care,
We really can't advise you on this forum about having another Covid jab. People here can get quite upset disagreeing with others and we have two arguing groups some saying have it- they had no problems and others saying don't.
The vaccine doesn't necessarily prevent Covid, but various studies have found that there's a lower risk of severe Covid for the immunised - less hospitalisation, need for ICU etc.
I've had 3 as well with unpleasant side effects. I caught Covid just after the injection last November and I was really ill for a few weeks, especially at first when my heart rate was very high. Looking back I think that was probably when I started with AF but it was never picked up. I was finally diagnosed in February this year.
I'm with you Jean, I've had three and for the time being at least ,will not have any more - I have not had Covid, but, I feel I would like to wait a bit for further knowledge of the vaccine. I have not discussed it with anyone, but it seems to be forgotten by the Govt, here in SA. I would just like to wait and see and take normal precautions. Interestingly, I have not had a letter from my Medical Aid Society (the system we have here instead if insurance,) advising me to have one, and I am on their 'chronic list' and had plenty of letters and arrangements for the first two and later booster!
That's not very efficient of your system if you haven't been called in. I have but like you will stop after having had 3, though I believe the effectiveness of the vaccines only lasts for a few months. I never wanted them anyway, was scared into it by our government and their daily updates on the situation.
Totally agree with jeanjeannie50,both my husband and myself have had 3 but no more ,am convinced it brought on my AF in 2021+ my husband was in hosp with many blood clots on the lungs soon after 2021 jab ,personal choice though ,but really worried about testing that has gone into thesjabs ,and the long term affects, not necessarily now ,love sue x
I agree my friend had jab 16hrs later rushed to hospital blood clots in the bowel she had to have major surgery which was touch and go in icu for 15 days l wouldn't touch it
Oh no LaceyLady, so sorry to hear that, it's all such a mess, I was quite ill after my 4th.jab... No more but everyone must choose their options. Best wishes, Tom
Ssuegos, my nephew also ended up riddled with blood clots after the vaccine. Medical community always in denial also. Drs insisted it was because he had covid but he did not!
Thank you for your reply jeanjeannie50. As a first time poster I should have been more careful how I explained myself. I really was after reassurance from members who may have had one bad reaction to a booster but then had no further problems with subsequent boosters. I was only expecting a few replies so this has been quite overwhelming. I will certainly never post about Covid again!
Don't worry about it, you weren't to know. You certainly had a lot of replies. I guess your more confused than ever now. Just trust whatever your instinct tells you.
Thank you jeanjeannie50. I certainly have had lots of replies. I’ve tried to reply to all the ones directed to me as it is so kind of members to take the trouble to message me. I am still confused but at the moment I am veering towards having the booster.
Thank you again
Linda
Just remember Boris Johnson and that, when he was pressing everybody to stay home, "for their own safety", he was partying with his palls in his office.
How is that relevant? It's not. Medication would be easier to sort out of there was a standard human body, but as we know we're all different.I've had 6 COVID jabs, and flu jabs for umpteen years, without any adverse reactions, ever. I have already made an appointment for a flu jab and the 7th covid jab.
I've had Astra Zeneca, Pfizer and Moderns jabs without any reactions.
As others have said, I'd be loathe to advise you in any direction. However, to share my own personal experience, my AFib started after my second Pfizer jab and while that could easily have been a coincidence another person started a thread on here sometime ago saying that he and several other equally fit and otherwise healthy people he knows personally also had the same thing happen. I was about to completely poopoo it until I looked up when my own jabs had happened and ohhh.....
I had the first 3 Covid jabs but I won't be having any more.
I did have Covid for the first time (that I'm aware of) about a month ago and it was very unpleasant for about a week but passed, thankfully, with no lingering effects.
But how much worse would you have been had still not covered by the last jab.
I have AF now rarely though, but take all the meds, and was wondering if i should have booster, but had covid last xmas and felt like death for 10 days, but how worse would i have been if not for protection from my jab, that is the question we all have to ask ourselves.
Thank you for your reply TopBiscuit. Your story is similar to mine apart from the unwanted side effect of the last jab. Without that I would have not hesitated to have the next booster.
I understand what a worry it must be, as it seems the vaccine triggered AF, and then after the booster having those frightening symptoms. Well done for getting it checked out immediately- at least you have peace of mind you didn’t have a heart attack.
The decision about the booster can be v difficult, can’t it? You asked about our opinions on having another booster… Personally I think I probably will have it. Even though I do worry it triggers arrhythmia. I’ve had all the others. I was thinking I may not need it, as I caught covid last November after a long time shielding, and it wasnt as bad as expected. But then I’d had my booster only 6 weeks earlier, so maybe that’s what protected me! Without the booster, the next time I catch Covid it might be much worse. (These are the things that go through my mind!)
If I felt pretty certain that I’d had a bad reaction to the booster (other than the usual post vaccine type stuff) I think I would probably not risk it again this year, and just hope I had enough antibodies from last year. But everyone is different, and no one knows what’s best for someone else of course. I don’t even know what’s best for me, sadly!
Would it be worth a conversation with your GP? I know they’re busy but if you’ve got someone who knows you, they may have some helpful insight? Good luck- please do let us know what you decide. Jx
Thank you for your reply Janefinn. It is virtually impossible to get any sort of appointment at our GP practice at the moment. Also, I have never been seen by anyone at the surgery for my AF. I was diagnosed in the A&E department at the LGI as I went there during an episode so they could confirm the diagnosis with an ECG. Since then I have seen an electro physicist privately on two occasions. The first visit resulted in me being put on a list for an ablation which took place four months later. This first ablation wasn’t really successful. After purchasing a Kardia I sent some readings to the AFib clinic and eventually I was contacted by one of the nurses who put me on the list for a second ablation. I had my second private appointment with my electro a few weeks ago as I had a lot of questions I needed answering. Really, my GP surgery has had no input at all with my AF.
I will probably have the booster when the time comes but I’ll have an anxious wait afterwards! I’m too worried about potential problems if I were to catch the new Covid variant without having been vaccinated.
Ugh I know just what you mean about being impossible to get any appointment with the GP 😕 Likewise I don’t have any comms with my GP surgery about my AF, I guess once it’s been escalated ‘up’ it isn’t usually necessary. But oh how I long for the days when your GP had an overview of what’s going on for you in your health, and could give some more rounded advice. Maybe some still do, but it’s getting scarce for sure. 😕 xx
BA.2.86 is a variant of Omicron but it has not had the very serious impact that the original and early variants had. Hospitalisations are very low and thank goodness for that. Viruses evolve and it is not to their evolutionary to kill their hosts so they evolve to survive and create a symbiosis with their hosts. Early days of an emerging virus are the most dangerous.
Having had COVID twice (and I am immune compromised) I can assure you that this last dose of COVID was NOTHING like the original COVID when I literally wanted to die as I felt so ill and took months to recover and I had had the original vaccines - but not produced any antibodies. This variant meant sore throat, congestion, headache for 24 hours and recovery within a week, I’ve had far worse colds but if you are extremely vulnerable and immune compromised you will be at risk from the mildest infection so must take care. To be honest I am more worried about picking up something when I go to the GP that I will do almost anything to not seek to see a GP! Everyone I know who has had COVID recently had been travelling and had to pass through major travel hubs, airports, rail, ports etc. We picked it up from a port and travel home I am pretty sure.
I think when you post on this forum about anything you will always get a wide variety of experiences and viewpoints so if you are seeking reassurance about a dilemma of should I/shouldn’t I then I think you need to look inwards and ask the question of yourself - will I feel better having had the booster or not?
Whatever you do, feel confident that it will be the right thing for you.
There seems to be little awareness amongst the people replying to this thread about the difference between the immunity conferred by catching covid and that provided by the boosters. If you have had covid then the immunity acquired is better than that given by the jabs alone. That is because a virus is made up of several parts and an infection results in the body making antibodies to all the parts of the virus. The antigen (the thing that triggers the body's immune response) in the jabs is the spike protein only. The body only makes antibodies to this if this is all you get. This bit is mutating rapidly whereas the other bits of the virus stay more or less the same . It is mutating so rapidly that the bivalent boosters are often "out of date " by the time they are administered ie they have been overtaken by newer variants. Last years bivalent booster had a pathetic level of protection. Only 29% against the variant actually targeted. The variant that superceded it provoked an even lower level of protection - just 20% and the variant that succeeded that was not protected against at all. There is no guarantee that this year's will do any better. What is more you are more likely to catch covid if you have had the boosters . Despite the howling of the factcheckers that this is not a causal link the Cleveland Clinic study shows such a correlation. So does other official data from various countries. You are even more susceptible in the 2/3 weeks that follow the jab and would do better to isolate as much as possible in that time. Also for those who get the jab now it is very unlikely that the limited protection it might afford will last the winter even if the variant stayed the same. For those people who have had covid already and have had bad reactions in the past to the jabs why take the risk of another? Your previous infection will protect you .
More likely to catch covid if you have had the boosters for a start. But I have neither the time nor the inclination to dissect the rest. I prefer to take on board the advice given by EPs and Cardiologists. It is not for either of us to bombard others with what we believe to be facts nor to question the decisions of others. Each to their own.
The Cleveland Clinic study which was done on it's employees ( tens of thousands of people) clearly showed that those who had had more previous boosters had a greater risk of catching covid. It was not a finding that they had anticipated and the authors of the study admitted this and said they could not explain it but the correlation was there. I actually think that people should make up their mind as to whether to get a booster or not on all the evidence that is available and not just the fear porn propaganda put out by the media ie this years variant is more scary ( there is no real evidence of that) or on whether other people have had bad reactions or not. Just because x number of people have had no reaction does not mean anything for you - nor the opposite. But one thing is sure. If you do not catch covid you will not get a bad case be hospitalised for it or die of it.
You are on target with your response. It amazes me how some people have a closed mind. For years now I have not responded to the Covid vax supporters, but it's about time they did the recent research on the subject and realize there are negative side effects and inadequate trials. Thank you for the statistics on the Cleveland Clinic. This is what people need to read before making their decision and not taking recommendations from others, including some doctors who are only following protocol. (also notice the number of "likes" on your post opposed to Gordon 6!)
Thank you . I just think people should be aware that it is not all black and white. People who have had bad reactions should not be frightened into getting another booster and possibly getting an even worse reaction by the fear mongering in the media about the next variant.
The absence of a medical qualification does not preclude you from rational thought or reasoned debate.Auricular makes some cogent and pertinent point. It is better to make an articulate response than to utter the word rubbish
I am pretty sure my husband had it over Christmas 2019 . He coughed for 3 weeks and grumbled he could not appreciate the festive fare because of diminished smell and taste. Despite 24/7 contact I never caught it. I have had no respiratory infection since March 2016 - not even a cold.
Auriculaire, I am sure he did too because my son and I both had it around that same time. We were sick well into Jan of 2020 and it wasn’t until around late feb or March when it was being talked about. Everyone kept telling us we had bad flu, but we knew differently because of the loss of taste and all the weird things it did to us. We both had slightly different symptoms. He was real high temp but I didn’t think I did. We both ended up fainting at some point and it took weeks to get over and get any kind of strength back.
I have already read this fact check and I pointed out that the fact checkers insist that it does not show a causal link. Nor did I say it did. But the authors of the study admit the correlation between more previous jabs and greater risk of testing positive and try to find explanations for it. Yes it could be due to other factors and it could be due to the vaccines . Time will tell.
Absolutely agree with you. I had the original Covid shot (J and J). I also have Lyme disease and so my Lyme doctor wanted to track Covid so he tests me every 3 months for Covid antibodies. After my shot my antibodies were 859. Anything over .08 means there are antibodies. I contracted Covid 8 months later. Next antibody test my count was >2,500. That was in 2021 and it has stayed that way ever since. I don’t know how long the vaccine antibodies last but immunity from the disease lasts a long time. My last test was a month ago. No more shots for me. I don’t trust the doctors who have been coerced by the government agencies and just repeat their mantra.
I had the J&J vaccine too. I bitterly regret it even though I don't seem to have had any bad consequences. There is one silver lining. The AZ and J&J vaccines do not seem to affect the switch to IgG 4 antibodies like the mRNA ones.
Exactly right. That is why I will never touch an mRNA vaccine….ever. I don’t know about AZ but J and J is a regular vaccine using dead virus. I don’t regret getting that one but no more. I only got it under pressure for travel.
Obviously your decision but I have had all those offered to date with zero side effects other than slightly sore arm and when I did catch covid it was little worse than a bad cold so for me it is a no brainer. Covid would be worse without it for sure.
This was my experience as well with boosters and having had Covid a few months ago. I’ll be getting the next booster. We all need to do what we’re comfortable with at this point.
Vaccines that did not guarantee no transmission were called "leaky" . They have changed the definition of a vaccine to accommodate the Covid vaccines. They are probably the leakiest vaccines invented!
I have a problem with my tablet. For some reason I can't reply to posts , like them, post myself or get notifications. This all works fine on my phone but I hardly use my phone at all and usually it sits in another room charging. So I have been replying less!
A vaccine uses a mild form, sometimes deactivated, of the target infection to prime the body's defence mechanisms to protect you against the real thing.There is much evidence from smallpox and polio programmes that vaccinations work.
Yes that may be so Tigger, but on the ground where i live during roll out i only seen the vaccinated becoming ill, thats from the horses mouth so to speak , without relying on any data from anywhere, it was simply clear to see, Im not an anti vaxxer by the way, hesitant ,yes.
But the Covid vaccine is not that way. It’s that mRNA technology in it that is the problem. Johnson and Johnson used the tried and true method for their vaccine and that’s the one I got I wouldn’t touch mRNA with a ten foot pole. I had one shot, contracted Covid a year later and like Bob said it was nothing worse than a bad cold. Not even the worst cold I’ve ever had but I did use the meds recommended by FLCCC. (ivermectin and Hydroxychloriquine) and I was over it in 4 days
I'm really uncertain as to whether the vaccine does create a milder form. I know several people who had it before the availability of the vaccine here, it was late, who suffered little more than a loss of taste and a bad cold. On the other hand, a fully vaccinated , much loved , and superficially fit (surfed most days) doctor from the practice I attend, died. It seems to be very indivudual responses. None were overweight and were all of the same white ethnicity.
Thank you for your reply BobD. I had the same attitude towards vaccinations until my scary experience with my last booster which has given me plenty to think about.
Thank you for your reply Rosie1066. Normally I am happy to have all vaccinations offered to me but after the problems I had with my last Covid booster I’m very nervous about the next one.
A family member had the vaccine last Autumn and within three hours had a very severe reaction to it, although he had had the previous ones without any problems. I’m not prepared to take any chances.
Thank you again Rosie1066. I’m really rethinking my initial thoughts about going ahead with another booster. If I suffer a worse reaction this time it will be too late to alter the consequences. After all, the vaccine has already given me AFib!
How do you know it gave you AFib, i feel pretty sure no Drs. have confirmed this. I have AF last few months, but have had 5 jabs so far with no effects, its easy to jump to conclusions, i weigh up the pros and cons myself, i had covid xmas and felt very ill, but how much worse if no protection is the question a lot of us may find out too late.
It is true that no doctors have confirmed that the Covid vaccine/ booster gave me AFib as I don’t believe there is a test that can prove it. All I know is that I have been a very healthy and extremely active person throughout my life with no heart issues. Like several other people I know personally ( including my vey physically fit firefighter son- in-law), the first episodes of AFib occurred after Covid jabs. I have also read / heard about many others who have found themselves in the same situation. My EP agreed with me just three weeks ago that the vaccine was most likely to be the cause of my AFib. I believe that EPs have seen a big rise in AFib patients recently.
Even with AFib I have been happy to have all my boosters because of the worry of being unvaccinated and catching Covid. If like you I had had no effects afterwards then it would have been a no brainier as to whether to have the next booster. My experience after the last one has made me very nervous.
I am 76 now, usually fit as fiddle, do not smoke or drink, not fat and work on the small holding even now, had 5 vaccs, no probs at all just sore arm for a day, caught Covid last Xmas heavier than a cold, but not as bad as Flu. 4 months ago had an AF event, and 3 months later another one, PAF i have, this is how life goes there are no causes sometimes things happen, its all to do with ageing. my booster is due in 2 weeks and all i know is Covid is worth with no protection and who knows what getting it will now do to my heart, but at no time do i think it Caused it. As for your Drs, telling you it probably was the vacc. well, i am rather bemused at they should be stating this, most Drs. know they do not have the facts that vaccs cause this. Have it or not have it, the decision is the person concerned, ONE SIZE does not fit all as they say.
My Mother, her Father, and Her Brother all died of sudden fatal heart attacks with no warnings or symptoms, all in their 40's in their sleep, way before Covid.... these things happen, its life.
I really envy your easy come easy go attitude to life, Nightmare2. I am a bit more of a worrier when things go wrong and I like to research and consider all my options. A bit boring I know but it’s how I am.
Like everyone else, you must make the decision that is best for you. All of us have to do that. I was hesitant to even post because it is such a contentious issue. I am a nurse in the states and have seen both sides of the issue. In my experience, people that have had trouble with any of the shots will have trouble with consecutive shots as well. Others who have no trouble, probably won't. My understanding is that it can come down to inflammation, which certainly can affect every body system, including the heart. In our practice, if someone has a bad reaction, we recommend not to get more. Listen to your instinct though. If you feel right about it, get it. If you don't feel good about it, don't. You can't take it back if you do something you don't want to do. I think Covid has just as much potential to cause inflammation, but for me, I'll take my chances.
Thank you very much for your replyMeganMN. You have given me a lot of food for thought and I shall certainly spend more time considering what I should do. It is interesting to hear that in your practice patients are not advised to have further boosters after a bad reaction. That does make a lot of sense as next time the reaction could be even worse. Thank you once again.
What you state doesn't follow. I had a bad reaction to my 3rd and 5th vaccination and no reaction to the others. All the vaccinations aren't the same . They are changed according to the variant. Also they aren't all made by the ame company.
What you state doesn't follow. I had a bad reaction to my 3rd and 5th vaccination and no reaction to the others. All the vaccinations aren't the same . They are changed according to the variant. Also they aren't all made by the ame company.
I’m assuming you’re over 65. I’m advised that AF isn’t included in the eligibility criteria for under 65s. I’m not going to be offered it anyway. My journey to AF began after a severe respiratory illness some years ago caused arrhythmias and left me with constant ectopics and SVT episodes. It wasn’t Covid, it was long before anyone had heard of that. I don’t think I’d had any kind of vaccine for decades so I can’t blame that. I’ve had Covid and it triggered AF and pretty bad ectopics that went on and on and on. A flu virus can trigger AF. If you’re susceptible, you’re susceptible.
So you take your choice - the vaccine or the infection. The purpose of the vaccine is to prevent severe illness and death, not to prevent transmission, so you need to consider your personal risk factors and take into account your individual co-morbidities, if applicable. The biggest risk factor for severe disease and death is age and the risk increases for people with certain conditions. Your risk profile isn’t going to be the same as for other people so what’s the best decision for someone else isn’t necessarily the best decision for you.
I’m interested you’ve been told AF isn’t in the covid booster eligibility criteria for under 65s, as I had understood it was… I can’t remember where I read it, but if I track it down, I’ll post it here
If I’m not eligible, it’ll make my decision a lot easier 😂 x
Thank you for your reply, Autumn Leaves. Yes, I am over 65 (I’m70). I have rung the AFib clinic at my local hospital today and the nurse I spoke to has reassured me a little about having another booster after the ill effects of the last one. I need to decide what I am going to do. I suspect I will have the booster.
This must be a new development. I was told to wait two weeks after the Covid booster (this was March last year, I'm in the Southern hemisphere) before having my annual 'flu jab'
I won't be getting one as after my booster it seemed to kick in an old chronic fatigue syndrome that has lasted 2 years and just starting to lighten. I have heard if you have had certain types of virus's in the past it can reactivate.........every one is different however and if you were ok in the past likely fine..........
I had this happen to me after my flu jab in 2010. I felt like death warmed up all winter and suffered palpitations. chest pains, sudden blood sugar drops ,breathlessness ,headaches . My GP sent me to the cardiologist. I stopped having them and have to say I feel much better on the whole in winter as a result. Nor have I had any respiratory infection since 2016 - not even a cold.
I've had all my boosters so far and will continue to do so. For my second jab I felt absolutely awful ,(bad flu-like) for a day or so and was extremely weak accordingly, but it passed. Other jabs no problem. So I think you might get a reaction and it sounds like you did but that may not be unusual.
I was in hospital just before covid was announced in Jan 2020. Diagnosed with myocarditis and told a rare virus had attacked my heart. I've never felt so ill. My husband didn't think I was coming home. It left me with af diagnosed some weeks later. I think back and do wonder if I had covid in the first place. I've had all jabs offered and suffered no reaction apart from a sore arm. I will have my booster.
Nice to hear about a person talking some sence and not blaming the vacc, for everything that has happened to them healthwise, surprised not reading about weight gain, or haemmoroids, sorry to be flippant, but its getting a bit sill on here some of the time. personal decisions but leave horror stories alone.
It might have been covid. There is evidence from blood samples here in France and also in Italy that SARSCoV 2 was circulating in the late autumn / early winter if 2019.
Many viruses are known to affect the heart. Cytomegalovirus is one, but there are others. Influenza virus is also a known trigger for new onset AF. My problems started with a severe respiratory virus in 2012. No Covid back then. Covid triggered AF too. If you’re susceptible, any virus could do it. It’s probably more to do with your immune response, and no two people have identical immune systems, just as no two people have identical hearts.
What an awful experience, Lovetheoutdoors. My husband had myocarditis( before Covid times) as his pacemaker got infected . He was also really ill and I too thought he might not come home. It’s reassuring to know that even after such a nasty illness you have no problems with the booster
It must have been a terrifying experience. I’ve known it to happen to people who were infected with Covid prior to the vaccines. I hope you have made a good recovery.
I had a hideous reaction to my first jab (AZ) so won’t be having any more. I blacked out on the stairs in the middle of the night, fell downstairs, hit my head on the wooden hall table and knocked myself unconscious. I had the biggest black eye for weeks after. Since that time my AF has gone from infrequent and barely a bother to weekly episodes. Oddly enough, exactly the same thing happened to an old schoolfriend of mine, in a totally different part of the country, after her first jab. But she blacked out and fell in her kitchen, and didn’t hit her head. Same as with me, her husband slept through the whole thing! Much more worrying for me, my extremely fit and healthy 30-year-old son went into AF and fainted in the clinic after having his first jab. His first faint ever. He felt that his heart was affected for a few weeks afterwards, but still chose to go ahead with all the jabs. I’ve had Covid itself twice now and it’s been horrid, like a really bad dose of flu. Both times I caught it from my partner, who has had all the jabs on offer! As everyone says, it’s a very personal decision and I’m not offering advice, just sharing my own experience.
I have had 4 Covid jabs and will be having a booster next week. The only time I hesitated (briefly) was after my successful ablation last September when the booster was due a week later, so I asked my EP who is one of the leading specialists in the UK if I should delay the booster (rather than not have it at all). The unequivocal response was no, go ahead. Personally I cannot understand why folk will trust the medical profession for complex operations and procedures but not when it comes to vaccines, where my belief is the overall balance of risks is overwhelmingly in favour of them. Anyway all the best with your decision.
Thank you FindingCaradoc, I was happy to trust the opinion of the medics about the covid vaccine and had no hesitation in having both the initial vaccine and the boosters. However, the medical profession don’t know which people are going to have a bad reaction to the vaccine and this is what worries me after my scary experience with the last booster.
I am really in a quandary because my EP in the USA, who is world renowned and highly respected in the ablation field did both of my ablations and has cured my rhythm disorders -- at least for now. He advises against getting any further covid vaccines, and I have already had five, and never had covid. I trusted him working in my heart, but I am having a really hard time trusting his advice not to get further boosters. I just can't decide which way to go.
As with all of these things, it is extremely difficult to be sure of a causal link, even when you say you are 99.9% certain.
For example a research programme in the USA with various vaccines, not just Covid, gave people vaccines and also a placebo to try to determine what caused short term reactions in many people.
“About five percent said they got sicker than they ever had been in their entire life,” says Jacobson. Half of these people had received the placebo and yet they complained of the worst headaches, or worst fever, of their lives. The take-home message here, says Jacobson: “It’s easy to confuse an allergic reaction with nervousness or emotions or even stomach upsets from anxiety.”
I would think that even if the original vaccination DID cause the AF attack, and it is difficult to understand the mechanism for that, a subsequent vaccination is less likely to do so, unless it was caused by some particular component used in vaccines as the 'carrier' for the virus. It may be that the vaccines now in use are differently formulated anyway and manufactured by a different company.
I think that as the doctor suggests, the dangers of a Covid infection will be far greater in terms of effects on your AF, so you must balance the risk. In the end it is YOUR decision, but it pays to be as informed as possible before you make it.
Thank you very much for your reply oscarfox49. I am always happy to have any vaccines offered to me in order to remain as healthy as possible. I was really impatient to get my first Covid vaccine as the thought of actually catching Covid was terrifying at that time. I felt perfectly fine apart from a bit of a sore arm. Even after my AF was diagnosed I was keen to have boosters and apart from the last one I was fine afterwards. Perhaps it was a component in that particular vaccine. I have had Covid . It was unpleasant but bearable but that may not be the case if I don’t have my booster in three weeks time. I’ll probably take my EP’s advice and have the booster.
At the height of the Covid epidemic, many people got very worked up about the issue, quite rightly, as those unvaccinated were a potential source of infection to all of us. That is not the same today when there is a much higher level of resistance due to vaccinations and actual infections, so I don't think there is the same social pressure to 'comply' with doctor's orders. It is for everyone to make up their own mind.
I have at least one friend who believes she has suffered very badly from the vaccination and I respect her views knowing she is a well educated and sincere person I have known for years. But on all the balances of risks, especially for those of us who are elderly and suffer from existing serious conditions, it still makes sense to have the booster. Sadly, life is not without risk! Nor is human science and technology perfect. Good luck to you whatever you ultimately decide.
That your decision, but best you dont try to put the rest of us off, if you decide no, then that that be it, we none of us should be swayed by others experiences, and to keep a level head on the subject.
Personally I agree that if the jab made you feel that bad, full blown Covid would make you worse. My first Covid jab lead to afib and urgent cardioversion but the others were fine so hopefully you will be okay. Best wishes x
Thank you for your good wishes Jakarunner. You certainly had a bad experience after your first Covid jab but it is reassuring to hear that further boosters didn’t cause any problems.
I have rapid persistent AF, had a stroke 2019. Thyroid removed cancer.
Your EP is correct that COVID affected is worse is not jabs. But it is your decision.
I had antibiotics after 2nd jab because nurse put it into a nerve not my deltroid muscle. A round red and itchy mark appeared. A 5-day treatment fixed it.
Your decision.
Ask Dr if a course of antibiotics could prevent any inflammation.
Thank you for your reply JOY2THEWORLD49. I like your suggestion about a course of antibiotics possibly preventing any inflammation. It is incredibly difficult to speak to a GP at my practice but I have three weeks before my booster appointment so I’ll do my best to speak to someone about antibiotics.
I have had 4 covid jabs and had no reaction. Had a bit of a sore arm where I had the flu jab. Personally I will take it as long as it is offered but that’s my decision. I just remember how many people ended up in hospital, many in a critical condition, before the break through vaccine. I have my boosters booked for the 30th. You must weigh up the odds yourself.
I was always happy to take whatever vaccines were offered to me until my bad reaction last time. I had my flu jab yesterday with absolutely no side effects whatsoever. I didn’t want to take two vaccines together if I decide to go ahead with the Covid booster.
I know of people who afib was triggered by vaccine. Mine definitely worse and bedridden for 50% of last year. Now had an ablation and I've decided not to risk any more mRNA vaccines. It's a devision for each induvidual.
National Library of Medicine in USA did a study where they estimated that there were five occurrences of AF in every million doses of vaccines. I'm having my booster this morning and I've already got AF. I got it before the pandemic and after a couple of binge drinking events. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
McIvor, thanks for bringing "Sensible Medicine" to everyone's attention. I am a research dr & it is one of my favourite medical sites because of the truly "sensible" attitudes displayed by the contributing doctors. Cardiologist/EP John Mandrola also (on his own site, drjohnm.org) does us all a great service by analyzing all of the emerging atrial fib & cardio research studies, then interpreting the results for the public. Free to subscribe to his updates.
And on the vaccine question--I, along with many epidemiologists, believe that careful and frequent hand-washing would prevent more cases of covid than vaccines. But as we say--people are going to do what they want to do. No more to be said :-).
It's a decision only you can make make but I'm just curious, what you'll base your decision on...... the advice you have already been given by qualified medics or advice from the forum? A genuine question.😊
At the end of the day I will probably take the advice of the EP and have the booster. I think that what I was looking for was reassurance from anyone who has had a similar adverse reaction to the one I had . It was very scary.
I had AF prior to the pandemic but had a reaction to the three jabs I've had so far......... Palpitations etc.I'm not rushing to have another, as yet, until I next speak to my EP.
I'm very symptomatic with AF so can sympathise with how scary your attack was.
I had mine and was persuaded to have the flu one too like last time even though I’d had painful swelling from it afterwards! The same thing happened this time. I had the jabs on Saturday and once again it’s been difficult to sleep since as both upper arms are sore ( particularly from the flu one). Heart has been fine though, as I take Flecainide regularly. When we actually had covid at the end of January we wouldn’t have known had we not tested after our daughter who we’d seen the previous day rang to tell us she’d tested positive! No temperature either and though I tested positive that day my husband didn’t until my day ten and both negative on my day 15! Of course, we are all different and if it affects your heart it might be best to follow the EPs advice.
I have absolutely no symptoms at all following my flu jab yesterday - not even a sore arm this time! I did have Covid last year and the first few days were certainly not pleasant but I was ok afterwards You are right - we are all different.
So true. I found arnica cream has helped with the sore swollen parts and amazingly, the doc who rang me today to explain my latest blood test results agreed that was a good idea, even though it’s a homeopathic remedy, that they don’t usually acknowledge!
I’m having a booster vaccine next week, a few days before I have an ablation. Yes, of course there was some “shrapnel” as my EF put it from such a massive vaccine program. My AF started after a double bill flu and covid jab - I’d avoid that in the future but not the jabs. Evidence of heart issues following covid far outweighs vaccine issues. Besides which I’ve too many vulnerable and lovely friends I don’t want to put at risk!
Sorry if I’ve been unclear. I have not had covid. I have remained fully vaccinated. I wish to avoid covid and thereby not spread it to other vulnerable people and medics, for instance the team who will be operating on me in a week or two. If they go off sick someone else will miss a long awaited appointment.
Lots of people have had all the jabs and still got covid - more than once. My daughter has had covid 3 times despite 4 jabs. The last 2 times after her 3rd and 4th jabs. You have just been lucky. Being fully vaccinated is no guarantee.
Rainfern, I’m sorry to hear your AF started after having the flu jab and covid booster together. Good decision to separate them this time - I did that last year and intend to do it this year if I can.
I’m wondering if you’ve had any advice about the spacing - Eg how long is wise to leave between the vaccines? And I wonder too about having them in the same arm, if there’s a time gap between them? Jx
Thank you Jane, a good question. I know a friend of mine always has the two together, in different arms to no ill effect. I’ll probably leave a month between vaccines by which time I’ll probably have forgotten which arm I had it in!
Hi Blackscottiedog, you say you are 99.9 per cent [thats a dot of 100 per cent] certain that your afib was caused by vaccine and you ep agrees its more than likely, what more advice do you need, of course the decision is yours, if i was told that the fire would burn me i wouldnt put my hand in it .
So you both believe that the vaccine was likely the cause of your afib and now that you have afib he thinks you are more at risk, does that not tell you something, if it was likely the cause would it also be likely to make it worse.
It makes complete sense to me. Just cos I’m unlucky once doesn’t mean I avoid that situation in the future! We have to keep the bigger picture in mind.
Personally I'd rather take the better odds of the slight chance of getting a dose of covid and then suffering side effects rather than definitely getting a dose of m-RNA booster and then suffering side effects.
Hi, I'm not going to have the covid booster or any other vaccines.. In January this year I had PE the first 2 drs at the hospital saidbit because of my vaccines again I had Pfizer..im still trying to recover..but these vaccines have done me in and as 2 drs have confirmed this ..no more for me.
In all probability the jab is the best decision given it’s benefit to the general population, however no one knows if it’s right for you. Come to that no one knows an awful lot about Covid.
The current variant is particularly bad and very contagious, my wife just recovered after 4 days in bed (never known her to spend more than a day in bed in the 50+ years we have been together) and was clearly the worst of the 3 Covid infections she had (works in a Ward that has Covid on all 3 occasions).
Now what baffles me is why I did not get it this time (first twice I had it within 24 hours), being in close proximity daily, it just does not make sense at all. Our bodies and these viruses are far more complex than anyone can imagine.
What I can say is that ventilation is a really good mitigator for preventing infection. Also 3 months after I had Covid last year, I had around 2 weeks of ectopics which the Doc (after the usual tests) put down to “long Covid” - again just does not make sense to me.
Hi there 😊I go for my booster tomorrow (it's been a year since & haven't caught anything in that year). Had 2 x Astra, 1 Pfizer, 2 x Moderna. I have had SVT / Afib issues since being a teen. I'm 64, fairly fit, active. I do get an Afib reaction and I expect it now from the vaccines. It passes quickly enough. I caught Covid once (after the Pfizer - sharing a car with a friend who didn't know they had it until next day). It was very bad for my Afib - though I got thru it fine in time - but my feeling is, and the science says, I'd have been much more vulnerable if I'd not been vaccinated (despite the fact I get some side effects). I hope you find a decision you're comfortable with. Bottom line is that Covid itself is bad news for Afib sufferers, with potential long Covid there too, and the vaccine - which fades after 6m - a year - reduces the risk of really serious issues. Best of luck! ♥️
Thank you for your reply Garaidh. All my vaccinations have been Pfizer. It is reassuring to hear that your AFib reactions settled down each time. Good luck for tomorrow !
Welcome to the Forum, and we are pleased to hear that the members have previously offered their support and helpful advice to you in the past. Please feel free to contact our Patient Services Team at the AF Association. The team are there to help with any questions, provide guidance or information to support you in a confidential manner.
If you have any specific questions relating to the Covid vaccine/booster, this should really be highlighted to your own doctor. They can provide advise on an individual basis, based upon your own individual medical notes and suitability for receiving the jab.
Regrettably, in the past many Covid related posts have received bad press and caused negative responses on the Forum.
Unfortunately, just this morning we have already received a flood of reports relating to this post. Admin request that everyone should consider their response before commenting, taking into consideration the feelings of others. Admin monitor and will remove posts or negative comments without warning.
I’m very sorry, TracyAdmin but as this is the first time I have posted on the forum I didn’t realise that Covid related posts should be avoided. I know that I have read one or two posts about Covid vaccines and AF in the past. I realise that I didn’t explain myself in the best way. What I was looking for was reassurance that it was safe to have another booster after a bad experience. I have consulted an expert privately and the EP is advising me to have a booster. I am still nervous about taking his advice as I’m worried about having an even worse reaction..
I shouldn’t have asked directly whether I should go ahead with another booster and I’m sorry for any problems this may have caused.
I have had lots of responses from forum members for which I am very grateful .
Trying to get an appointment to speak to a GP at my practice is more or less impossible! I had my flu jab yesterday as I didn’t want to have a Covid booster and flu vaccine at the same time.
The day after my last booster in September last, I started to feel very odd heartbeats and by the next day had developed an arrhythmia. I went to Urgent Care and was told it wasn't A Fib but I was fitted with a 24 hour holter monitor. The electrodes actually fell off after about 8 hours but in that period they showed over 5000 ectopics; both atrial and ventricular. This lasted in all for 3 weeks, improving during week 2 and tailing off in week 3. I had no more incidents until just over a month ago when the arrhythmia started again. It would jump from very fast to very slow. When I couldn't even take a BP reading I rang 999. The paramedics were fascinated watching the monitor go crazy. After 24 hours in A&E I was admitted and monitored for 4 days. The diagnosis was extrasystolic arrhythmia. I was given diltiazem to which I was allergic so it was decided that I should take nothing and wait to see if it happened again. I was told by 3 different medical personnel that there is now proof that the boosters can cause arrhythmias although it's not certain what caused mine and why the events happened over 6 months apart. Having another booster is purely your choice and depends on your circumstances and heart condition. Because of other health problems I rarely leave the house so I know what my choice will be. My husband rushes to get his on the day it's offered. I know that doesn't make me safe; anyone could bring it into my house or I could even catch it at the doctor's.
I read just yesterday that they have changed the boosters to include the spike protein so that it covers all new variants. I've no idea if that will make a difference.
Thanks. The second bout settled down after about 2 days and, touch wood,there's been nothing since. The first wasn't too bad but he second was h orrific. I have fibromyalgia too which often causes bad reactions to all sorts of medication- my GP dreads prescribing for me but as I said, everyone's different in how they react , their health conditions and their circumstances. After a bad allergic reaction years ago I no longer have the flu jab but who knows with the covid booster. It was my 5th. The other 4 |(Pfizer) were fine. All I can say is talk to your GP about your personal risks. Good luck.
My experience? Thrice jabbed with zero effects, will be getting the 4th when it comes out. All of mine were Moderna. I read forums, but tend to listen to the advice of my GP. Unlike so many on this forum, I trust mine.
Without the vaccine you might have died. And that would have felt worse than just feeling like you were dying. You didn't end up in intensive care on a ventilator. That was a win!
When the first jab was offered, I decided against as several posts here suggested some hearts were adversely affected and with my AF in remission for a number of years I didn't want to rock the boat.
Since then, as I am interested in medical matters I have followed different independent doctor opinions from around the world.
Myself: I won't be having any mRNA jabs
My wife: Has had 3 and won't be having any more.
A doctor from the States, who I am seeing in person later today, made this presentation to the European parliament last week:
I think catching covid is very likely and that the booster is likely to reduce the chances of its being severe. That said, it seems that most people retain a strong enough immune response from previous boosters or from having had the disease itself, to prevent the "cascade" inflammatory-type reaction that is severe covid and which invariably involves hospitalisation.
So, like you, I am left wondering whether to have it. However, having known a few people who have had a bad attack of covid, I don't want that, either. But those people were "boosted", so that doesn't help except to show me that I need to avoid places where catching covid is likely, keep my distance and be sure of good airflow. With a young grandson, though, I suspect we'll catch it via him and his little school friends.
As to the vaccine bringing on an AF episode, mine didn't, and what you described does indeed sound very much like you had a short-lived AF episode, perhaps with a very high heart rate (in fact, my first two "AF attacks" - although atrial flutter, in my case - were very much like that), perhaps yours, like mine, were worsened by increased anxiety? From my reading, I don't think that any vaccine can directly "cause AF", but I suspect that it can perhaps have indirect effects or side effects that might trigger an episode. That sounds more likely.
At this point, I am reading as much as I can about the vaccine to help me decide. I haven't been very helpful to you, however, I feel.
Thank you for your reply,Steve. For me it is reassuring to know that other people have similar symptoms and “live to tell the tale” I had never experienced a bad reaction like that to a vaccine so it gave me a nasty scare. Good luck with your research!
I was indeed very frightened after my last booster and had decided not to have a further one. However, the private EP I saw told me that catching Covid would be far worse than having the booster. As he is an expert and I am not medically trained I have to give his advice serious consideration. I’m finding it very difficult to come to a decision.
Glad you were still able to read my response. Follow Auriculaire's post. I hope you follow your heart and research opposed to following some uninformed people on this site. I did the research, (and I have a health science background) so it hurts me to see people get convinced to do something without the current information. We know so much more today than a few years ago, yet the medical community and pharma companies do not want the people to know the truth. Follow the money!
I think you answered your own question with being 99.99% sure of the end result. We all have opinions but what is right for you may not be right for someone else. Right on the website it says that the vaccines can cause inflammation of the heart or lining of the heart. Since I knew I already had AF, and Covid before the vaccines came out, my decision was clear from the start. I know family members that have permanent life long issues from both Covid and the vaccine.
Thank you for your reply Peacefulneedshelp. Unlike you I had neither Covid nor AF before the vaccines came out. I have been having boosters even after acquiring AF as I believed I would be more at risk should I catch Covid. Now I’m not so sure.
Hi. I had AF 2 1/2 yrs ago and have since had a cry-ablation (luckily no return after 2 yrs:-)) My AF came on shortly after Pfizer booster. No certain connection but ... My daughter is a Medical SpR in hospital acute medicine. I have of course discussed with her....her response to me was "your AF could have been triggered by the vaccine BUT it would likely have happened anyway. Further that it is better to have vaccine symptoms than have COVID without the booster". There is no certainty here but when we have (or have had) AF the potential of worse than necessary COVID are likely to outweigh the risk of vaccine symptoms.
If you consulted with a medical person and they agree you should get the booster, there may be other reason (in your case) to get the booster.Getting Covid for not make you immune.
If the same thing happens again, go to emergency immediately.
Here in the U.S. there is documentation of the covid shots leading people to Afib, myocarditis, blood blots, cancer, sudden death and the list goes on..
The people on this forum are not experts. They are expressing their opinion based on personal experience, impartiality or prejudice towards medical professionals, procedure and drugs etc.
Your doctor advised you to get the covid shot. If you don’t feel comfortable with the physicians advice find another doctor.
I’ve had all four original jabs,the two boosters for bivalent, the flu jab, pneumonia, and both shingles. No bad experiences with any but a sore arm. Planning to do the latest Moderna jab and RSV asap.
I always massage my arm, take paracetamol, and rest afterwards with plenty of water for a day. Easy Peasy.
I had a 4 hour episode of Supraventricular tachycardia after a Covid booster, followed by a couple of months of A-fib episodes and eventually a visit to the ER where I was worked up thoroughly. I had a bout of what I know now to have been a severe night of a-fib prior to the booster so I don't blame the vaccine for causing a-fib, but I do think there was some cardiac inflammation after that booster that exacerbated the condition. On the advice of my cardiologist I continued to get the boosters, though I switched from Moderna to Pfizer. I have had three boosters since that episode with no issues.
Oh I thought this entire thread was about anecdotes- you know how people have experienced their previous covid jabs and whether they are going to have another. As for providing links for you I can't be bothered to look up papers I read more than 18 months ago or even last week for that matter. The data is out there - try doing a little reading on the blogs and substacks of dissenting doctors and scientists. Put in a search or two. Quite frankly I don't care if you believe what I say or not. As for vaccines in general I think flu vaccines are pretty useless. When healthy vaccinee bias is taken into account they hardly work at all. As for other vaccines there are pros and cons. Look at the work of Danish vaccinologist Stabel - Benn and colleagues. They have discovered some very interesting stuff about the difference between live and attenuated vaccines and their sex based influence on the immune system . Things are not black and white.
I used to get the flu vaccine regularly but then I found out that the flu variant that they “predict” for the coming year and create the vaccine for rarely is correct so for me the flu vaccine is useless. Haven’t had it in years and haven’t had the flu.
Of course ad hominem attack. You really think that " conspiracy theorist" is an insult these days when things that were declared conspiracy theories turned out to be true? Like saying that the vaccines did not prevent transmission and that transmission was never an endpoint in the clinical trials? And that Fauci and Walensky were lying when they said ( on camera) that they did. There are others here who know I am not lying and have read the same articles and papers .
I think it’s your decision to make scottie. Iv had all mine so far but wether I have any more in the future is anyone’s guess. I wish you well with either decision you make.👍
Thank you very much for the suggestion. I have heard one of his talks via a link posted to me and he obviously knows what he is talking about. I will look at other articles also.
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