Return to A-Fib

I want to thank again all those who helped me with feedback to decide to go ahead and have the pacemaker implanted in March 2021.

The device has been working very well since that time until recently, in mid July 2022, I tested positive for Covid while traveling on holiday. I had no obvious Covid type symptoms.

About two days later I started to experience what I remember as A-Fib symptoms: nervous sensation in the chest, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, fatigue. EKG at the local health center confirmed A-Fib.

My Cardiologist started me on metoprolol, 50 mg/day. 
 

I'm wondering if anyone out there has experienced A-Fib returning in conjunction with a positive Covid test. And especially interested in how do we get our heart back in rhythm when this happens. I'm waiting to hear back from my cardiologist as to what sort of treatment plan we're going to be looking at. In the meantime I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has similar experience.

Thanks to all from Joe 808

 

 

 

3 Comments

Covid and increased arrhythmias

by Gemita - 2022-08-08 05:05:48

Joe, it happened to me.  I was enjoying a quiet period of normal sinus rhythm when Covid struck at the start of the pandemic, before I was vaccinated.  I can remember weeks of increased rhythm disturbances, some of which were quite severe and I had to seek help.  

My cardiologist said he wasn't at all surprised that a virus like Covid could cause such havoc to my heart's electrical system.  He advised me to increase my rate control medication (Bisoprolol) during the acute period until things settled down - and they did settle after a few weeks.  Whatever you do, please do not panic and stress yourself further. That will make AF and any lingering Covid symptoms worse.  Deal with Covid too.  Keep well hydrated, rest and eat well (and of course make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations).  If your AF has been triggered by Covid, then once Covid has fully resolved, your AF should ease, or even stop.

I had to have three courses of antibiotics also for a bacterial chest infection during my long Covid illness, so seek medical advice if you don't start to feel better generally within a few days, particularly if you are having worsening arrhythmias.  Metoprolol should be all that will be needed to calm everything down while you wait for Covid to run its course.  If AF continues long term, then your cardiologist may want to add an anti arrhythmic medication to your beta blocker medication or talk to you about other treatments (like a cardioversion or an ablation), but hopefully this won't be necessary.  I hope you will feel better soon

Thank you Gemita

by Joe808 - 2022-08-08 18:42:31

Hello again Gemita, so nice to see that you are still helping pacemaker patients and others. Healthy diet and proper rest, yoga and meditation, and medication have been noted online as far as possibly helping hearts get back into rhythm. I do have two Covid vaccinations and two boosters, so should be OK there. I did have a negative Covid home test when I returned from holidays on July 28, 2022. So Thanks to you I'll be more patient, and give the above mentioned time to work. 

Aloha from Joe 808

Covid and arrhythmia

by AgentX86 - 2022-08-08 23:56:31

This wouldn't surprise me at all.  Covid has caused all sorts of long(er) term problems than would be expected from a virus. I have been over covid for a couple of months and the headaches are just starting to dissipate.  They weren't too bad but were always on the left side, rear, of my head.  I'd get them every evening until this last week, when it hasn't been every night. 

More to the point at hand, I'm getting a lot of PVCs. I don't remember if I was getting as many before but it sure is a PITA now.  I don't really feel them now (weird) but do get SOB and can feel for the PVCs.

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