Cold & sore throat PAF

[tom0985]

hi, I’ve had a cold and cough for 7 days now and having been having AF episodes lasting from 30mins - 5hours almost daily. Normally I would get an episode once a month at worst. Can colds and coughs bring on more regular occurances of AF?

[jeanjeannie50]

Have you tested in case you have Covid? Also I believe there's something going around called the 100 day cough.

Yes, colds and certainly coughing can irritate the heart and cause more AF attacks. Just think how your body, especially your chest, shakes each time you cough.

When I had pneumonia and Covid together my AF heart rate shot up and the consultant wanted to put me on 10mg of Bisoprolol. We agreed on 7.5mg but once I left the Covid ward I gradually reduced that.

I think you are going to have to put up with more AF attacks until you get rid of your cough.

Hope you feel better soon.

Jean

[Mugsy15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Is testing for Covid even a thing any more Jean? Where I live tests are no longer offered at the walk-in centre and the kits we had at home are long out of date. In any case there is no action to be taken if you do have Covid, you only stay off work if you feel unwell these days, so as far as I can tell there's not much point in knowing whether you have it or don't?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Mugsy15]

Yes, I guess that's true. I'd still like to know if I had it as I visit and have contact with a lot of elderly people. Imagine them catching covid from me and dying! I'd be devastated. It's odd how we don't hear whether covid is still causing deaths.

[BobD Volunteer]

Any inflamation makes AF more likely.

[Blearyeyed]

Infections , especially things that cause more coughing and sneezing is a common trigger for aFib.Luckily , it's getting back in to control each day.

If you aren't getting medical help for your infection it might be worth ringing the GP surgery today letting them know how the infection is causing you aFib and ask if there is anything that they can prescribe to help your recovery or advise you to manage the aFib , for example. a shirt medication increase , especially as we are about to begin a Bank Holiday weekend.

Keep your fluids up and raise your head and shoulders in bed or lying down to help improve your breathing and reduce coughing. Try relaxing breathing or COVID breathing exercises through the day ( there are videos online) this can help clear the chest and speed up the recovery as well as helping to reduce your stress and keep your heart rate stable.

Hope you feel better soon. Bee

[Autumn_Leaves]

Viruses of any kind could put you in AF as the immune response is inflammatory, regardless of the type virus. . It doesn’t have to be Covid, but speaking from experience, Covid was bad news my AF. Many years previously I had a nasty respiratory virus (long before Covid was a thing) and that was when my arrhythmias started — frequent ectopics and SVT at that time. It eventually led to AF. I had almost a year of no AF then Covid kicked it all off big time. So a definite yes to viruses being a trigger for AF. My EP can also confirm this as he said he’s seen a lot of this. Viruses are a part of life, unfortunately, so it makes sense to protect yourself as far as that’s possible. Get well soon.

[Janna24]

Its yes for me. Anytime i have cold i do have AF . Its very annoying . Good luck with you recovery!

[Buzby62]

Short answer, Yes

My episodes were 3 to 5 weekly except when suffering covid and other infections, the only times I flipped in and out a few times in a day. Also much more symptomatic during infection.

Best wishes

[Ppiman]

It is likely to be purely a mechanical effect from the coughing. This contracts the diaphragm muscle sharply and this can then easily press against the heart setting off palpitations which, in prone individuals (i.e. people like us), can set off AF.

Steve

[Tapanac]

yes I was told by my EP coughs or any infection or stress can start up afib. I had covid in early February and was coughing so much, then suffered uncomfortably with my afib for nearly 5 weeks

Have you tested for covid ?? I know it’s not the same as first happened, but should you have it you don’t want to pass it on especially to the more vulnerable When I checked my packs were out of date but they worked

Hope you feel better soon