Post ablation flu-triggered?

[RescueRanger]

I am 4 months post-pulse ablation (10/1/24). I have experienced two episodes of what felt like tachycardia: the first one 11/5/2024 in my regular cardiologist's office (not the cardio who performed the ablation) which showed up on the ekg and after through review, measurement, etc., she said she had no idea what it was, the other was similar in December at home.

Then, after contracting the flu on 2/6/25, 3 days later, I experienced low bpm early in the day (40s) then developed what my Kardia showed to be tachycardia. I took the pill-in-pocket 30 mg diltiazem as directed. First one did nothing, so took a second after about 40 minutes, then a third, but no reduction in heart rate.

Three hours in, the tachycardia morphed into a-fib. Total episode lasted about 7 hours.

I felt the flu bug advancing from upper toward lower respiratory, then on day 3 seemed to move to my heart, causing these issues.

Anyone else experience something like this?

Does this mean it is a failed ablation?

Thanks,

Rescue Ranger

[BobD Volunteer]

To be honest it is probably far too early to say. As we explain in our fact sheet on recovery many people are still improving at nine months or a year. Any inflamation can do this especially if you may have been de hydrated so try to stay well hydrated, relax and rest.

[RescueRanger in reply to BobD]

Thank you very much. I'm new here, so where do I find the recovery fact sheet?

[Rainfern in reply to RescueRanger]

I think this is the link …. api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

[RescueRanger in reply to Rainfern]

Thank you!

[ozziebob in reply to RescueRanger]

You can download the recovery fact sheet at this link ... heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Below the videos, it's one of the info sheets listed.

[RescueRanger in reply to ozziebob]

Thank you!

[Karendeena in reply to RescueRanger]

Listen to our BobD always a wealth of information and very knowledgeable, been know to have a great sense of humour too, love his analogies 😊

[CDreamer]

I was AF free from 2018 until COVID hit when AF returned big time BUT it all settled down once I had fully recovered which took about 5 months, I wasn’t in AF all the time though. Every time I had an infection, even mild, AF would start but I always self convert. Longest in last 12 months was 7 hours and although I often have raised HR and ectopics for a while, all settles in a few weeks.

[RescueRanger in reply to CDreamer]

I appreciate you sharing your experience

[Magtogrid]

hi - 7 months post ablation all well until covid infection then tachycardia into Afib. 1 main episode then a milder version. Settling down now - EP says it is probably just one of those triggers during the recovery phase. Interestingly have just been given bisoprolol 2.5mg for slightly raise BP and has immediately stopped the PACs I was left with post covid. Hope this helps. R

[RescueRanger in reply to Magtogrid]

Very helpful, thank you!

[DawnTX]

even though I tested negative for Covid and flu, I was extremely sick from the middle of November until about two weeks ago. I started with a cold it seemed miserable, but nothing I hadn’t had before. I was cursing I always get the flu shot, but I had the cold and they wouldn’t give it to me. Then I began to feel better for about three days. I woke up feeling of someone was suffocating me and it was all in my upper not only congested, but very dry and a cough that would not stop a very dry cough. With that everything started hurting. When I had my the doctor had put me on steroids antibiotics allergy medication and I forget what else. Basically they were symptoms because they didn’t know what I had. I went through the medication, but got no relief. Then yes, I started with a fib that would not go away. I had it for about three weeks. the cough were not fun. I don’t know what I actually have. Had. I think it’s something new out there? I have been sick. I have never felt like this not even with pneumonia or pericarditis which I have had several times. I still have an ache in my chest even now and will be seeing my soon he most likely will want to check especially for also had whatever I had minus a fib is usually the one bringing home the germs because he runs casino so you can imagine the number of people they come in by the bus load. I really have no doubt that whatever I had both first and second time are what gave me the a fib and flutter. I didn’t have sharp pain mainly an ache. it’s hard to know what to blame especially if you had a dry cough that was nonstop even in your sleep. I didn’t think it was ever going away.

I hope you’re feeling better now

[RescueRanger in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am feeling better for the most part. Hope you are too!

[DawnTX in reply to RescueRanger]

I am finally definitely getting some energy back. I see my cardiologist on the 25th although I don’t think. I actually need him now lol I’m so glad you’re feeling better

[kocoach]

I hadn't heard from my neighbor in quite some time so I called him and he said he had been sick and went to the hospital and was told it was an influenza flu that is rapidly spreading and the Drs. were a little concerned because they didn't know what else was in this flu. He and his mother (who is 85) years old and they both recovered but as I said earlier it took 4 to 6 weeks. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[RescueRanger in reply to kocoach]

Thank you for sharing and your kind wishes. I am feeling better. Stay well!

[DawnTX in reply to kocoach]

it sounds like they had what I am just getting over since November. Prior to that I kept telling my GP I kept feeling like I was coming down with something but I couldn’t give him specifics. It was just that overall lousy feeling like you get before a cold where you are just out of sorts. but then it hit me. I was for Covid and flu negative. I do not know what this is that I have had that finally seems to have left about two weeks ago, including the fatigue. I have been unable to and even drink simple it was showing on my skin getting flaky I was dehydrated, which only made me worse. I kept trying to force myself to drink finally drinking sports drinks, not the type with caffeine, etc., or sugar, but simply want to hydrate. You don’t realize how bad being dehydrated can be especially with a fib

it definitely sounds like what I have had. I think there’s something new out there and your doctor is right. They don’t know what else is in it. All my was treat the symptoms which did no good including steroids. We also know if it’s viral, those things won’t help. it appears they just don’t want to admit when they don’t know something and I’m tired of all these different names and numbers. Why don’t they just call it the flu or something if you read the symptoms they are all pretty much identical. There was not a part of my body. It didn’t hit

I’m glad your neighbors are doing better. It had to be really frightening for his mom. Pneumonia and that new RCV or whatever they’re calling it for respiratory is also getting serious here we go again for a number on it and make people panic. I am so sick of stuff like that. How about you?

I think you don’t hear as much about it because many of us do not go to the hospital or even the doctor and if you test negative that seems to be where it ends without further suggestions.

[kocoach]

I'm Glad to hear you're doing better now. I always try and wear a mask wherever I go but I don't know that it helps. The Bible details in several chapters about events such as this or Covid that happened thousands of years ago and the Word NEVER changes, just time. Stay Well and have A Blessed Day!

[RescueRanger in reply to kocoach]

Amen!

[BJ24]

I think covid and the covid vax might be causing afib...we know that covid causes heart problems. The vax isn't understood well enough and is too new to know for sure what can result and after getting multiple vaccines, who knows how they affect us? Lots of comments here that affirm worsening afib post covid or flu....must be a connection?

[RescueRanger in reply to BJ24]

Valid point. I may have had other issues, but afib did not materialize until I had COVID, just before it hit the headlines!