Question

[Anxious37]

I have managed with medication and stress techniques to level my AF out and it’s been ok . I have now come down with a bug that’s going around but my AF started playing up again. Do infections and colds affect your AFib usually?

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes any inflamation can trigger AF. Remember to stay well hydrated, and paracetamol is fine for fever.

[meadfoot]

Yes. It usually happens when I get a virus. Follow Bobs recommendations.

[bean_counter27]

The short answer is yes, it can.... but we're all different. And even if an illness triggers an AF episode, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll have an AF episode every time you're ill.

I had AF a few years ago when I had Covid, along with more frequent AF episodes in the months following before my episodes settled back to "normal". I've had other "bugs" since then but they didn't trigger AF episodes.

[CDreamer]

Yes for sure. Should settle down when you recover, rest, hydration and paracetamol. Take good care of yourself and hope you recover very soon.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello

Unfortunately, feeling unwell can be a contributory factor with AF, try to rest up and hydrate until it passes, if you continue to feel unwell without signs of improvement over the course of a few days, do not hesitate to contact your GP.

Take care

TracyAdmin

[Anxious37 in reply to TracyAdmin]

Thank you unfortunately it’s really hard to get an appointment with the right GP . Trying to cope with things myself as I have a head cold the flutterings have increased and the odd not pain but ache in my chest like trapped wind or even costochondritis , which I already take omprezole for my reflux . Now as this has increased so my anxiety has kicked in . So it’s just dealing with all of that . But I will get through it

[DawnTX in reply to Anxious37]

I have recently realized just how badly you can be affected by a cold, etc. I got a cold in November. It was not fun, but then I thought it was gone. Three days later I woke never having felt as horrible as I was feeling. It’s only been a couple of weeks that I finally started feeling almost human again. I have a pacemaker and for the most I have been feeling so wonderful for the past two years until the bug hit. I was for flu and Covid and was negative. I guess it doesn’t matter if it’s bacterial or viral because I have been short winded yes with the ache in my chest similar to pericarditis. Along with flutter and just overall feeling miserable. The first time around with the doctor they put me on everything and nothing worked so obviously it’s viral. Whatever it is, I think it’s new. It seems more people across the pond are coming down with it then over here with I was actually glad to know others have had nasty because no one understand what I was talking about. Up until now I had been lucky and not had anything to throw my body off. Best of luck I wish I could tell you what makes it go Away, but it seems only time. One of the worst parts of it was an extremely dry cough 24 seven that made everything hurt. My heart rate has also been in the high 90s normally I am around 72 as I am right now. If there’s anything else going on, I will soon be meeting with my new EP not soon enough, but he will be more thorough. I just had my pacemaker transmission that I was notified went well although I wonder why they did it a second time two days later. Mine can be done remotely. They tell me the date. It doesn’t affect me when they are doing it. Everything is built right in.

I hope you get to feeling better soon and I hope they figure out what the heck this is and that we are not crazy when we try to tell people about it. I think it’s another new strain of something. Maybe they are afraid to tell anyone so they don’t start anything like Covid panic again

[bassets]

I sometimes end up like this with a virus.

[Hugheart]

Hi Anxious37

Absolutely they do and one of the reasons is you are likely dehydrated that can trigger AF. Drink more fluids.

Hugheart

[Hugheart in reply to Hugheart]

I forgot an important point. Some microbes are known to stimulate an immune mechanism that secrete small proteins called cytokines that promote inflammation. One of these cytokines can inhibit an enzyme in your heart cells needed to generate the needed energy in the pacemaker cells that produce sinus rhythm. Magnesium taken properly can help produce more energy to restart sinus rhythm. If you are interested there is more detail in my BIO as a physician.

Hugheart

[DawnTX in reply to Hugheart]

oh you are so right about the dehydration. I was so sick I could not eat or drink even water was making me nauseous. I ended up getting a drink with electrolytes not the type for sports loaded with sugar and caffeine but electrolytes similar to what you can even give children. Even sells it. What a difference it made fast. I was so dehydrated you could even see my skin drying out. The electrolytes are what really helped and fast if you can’t drink anything else and keep it plain water and electrolytes are your friends.

[secondtry]

My response would be take Vit C & Vit D3/K2, sunshine outside, eat unprocessed food, eliminate common triggers eg alcohol, caffeine , too much exercise (ie well within your norm) and no more flu or other vaccine shots.

[DawnTX in reply to secondtry]

I’ve been told no vitamin K