Afib during Covid follow up

[fibnum]

Two weeks ago, I came down with symptoms of Covid. It was not that bad, and I seem fully recovered. During the first week, I had two separate episodes of Afib. One seemed in response to a burst of coughing while sleeping and waking short of breath, but the other came on for no apparent reason. My cardiologist said that Covid can make one more susceptible to Afib, and others on here have said the same.

My question is: Do most significant illnesses put us more at risk for Afib, or is it certain types of ailments such as colds and flu? What illnesses have seemed to bring on Afib in those who have experienced it?

Thanks,

Fibnum

[jeanjeannie50]

I had Covid and Pneumonia at the same time and my heart certainly raced then and I would say it was one of the hospital I was in main concerns . I would guess that any bodily infection could set off an AF attack.

Jean

[fibnum in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Note to self: "Don't get sick!"

Thanks for the reply

[BobD Volunteer]

ANY inflamation or infection can trigger AF if you are so disposed, particularly those involving the lungs. I seem to recall that it used to be considered than AF was a possible marker for lung cancer for example.

[Maggimunro]

The only Afib I’ve knowingly had since my ablations in 2016-17 were immediately post Covid. Thankfully it only lasted a few days.

[mhoam]

Hi fibnum,

I caught Covid for the first time in March 22 and it changed my AF from Paroxysmal to Persistent. I ended up in a Covid ward, not because of Covid but my AF. At that time, all the other 5 patients in that Ward were there for other reasons but also had tested positive for Covid.

As Bob mentions, any stress on the body, mental or physical, can make AF worse. My PAF went from every 6 weeks or so to every week or more when I was in hospital for unrelated surgery in 2018.

[Vonnegut]

As I’ve posted hear before an AF episode started at around the time I must have been infected with covid though I only knew I had it as I tested positive after our daughter who was visiting the previous day told us she had tested positive. The AF episode ended as usual a few hours after taking an extra 100mg of flecainide and I didn’t test negative until my day 15 though felt no different and my husband didn’t test positive until my day 10 and also didn’t seem to have any symptoms - and no further AF episodes - how different we all are!

[Snowgirl65]

After being a-fib-free for almost a year, I got Covid in Dec. 2020 which triggered two a-fib episodes. That set off more of them after I recovered from Covid, which then necessitated an ablation. On the other hand, anxiety has also triggered me in the past, as well as a broken wrist. Maybe the cure for all of us is to stay in bed with covers over our heads!

[wwatson280283]

Hi there, I can only speak from recent experience. I have had PAF since 2016. It was very much under control after being prescribed flecainide since January this year.I returned from holiday in Italy on 17th September but unfortunately covid travelled back with me. After a few days of very bad flu like symptoms I started to slowly return to normal. However in the last few days I have started suffering repeated bouts of ectopic heart beats with no increase in HR or AF according to my smartwatch anyway. Is it a coincidence that I am now suffering these ectopic beats or has it been caused by covid. Has anyone else had a similar experience.

[fibnum]

I have just had, until about an hour ago, a 7-hour-long third episode of Afib. I am pretty certain it came from sleep apnea, as I failed to be careful about my sleep position after getting up to go to the bathroom around 4:45 AM. I woke up with it at my familiar witching hour of 5:30 AM. It was the 3rd episode after starting Covid symptoms over two weeks ago.

Although fully recovered from other Covid effects, I don't know whether I am now more susceptible to Afib and how long the susceptibility will last. I had been free of Afib for over 9 months thanks to resolving digestion and stomach gas issues and losing weight.

Time will tell...

[Barbuch in reply to fibnum]

do you have cpap? i am unable to use it so I have untreated sleep apena and i always go into afib when my head has slipped off my pillow stack.....

[fibnum in reply to Barbuch]

I sleep on my back, but slightly turned to the right with my shoulders elevated some and my head turned to the right on my pillow, chin up slightly. It works unless I get careless after getting up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

I know it sounds a little wacky, but it seems to make the difference.

I tried to get a neck brace to prevent my head coming forward and closing the throat, but can't find anything comfortable so far.

[Barbuch in reply to fibnum]

So no cpap then? Thanks for fast response.

[fibnum in reply to Barbuch]

That's right, no CPAP. I have enough trouble getting adequate sleep without adding that!

[Barbuch in reply to fibnum]

Ditto! I tried…it was AWFUL!