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Covid and AFib Connection?

Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Jan 28 12:20pm | Replies (308)

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@shoshin

Your post captured my attention. Thank you sharing it. A confession: I am motivated by self-interest to read your post (& the others).

Why?

About two months ago, Google implemented its Afib algorithm (Afib/irregular heart beat detection & tracking) for all premium FitBit users. I activated it.

On October 9th, I received the new Moderna bivalent COVID-19 booster (fifth dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: 2 originals; two WT boosters; new bivalent booster). I had no adverse reactions of any kind after the 4 preceding vaccinations.

On October 14th, the Friday following the bivalent booster dose, I experienced a very distressing/stressful incident (that really activated sympathetic nervous system). I note this because I really had a stressful meltdown that wiped me out physically & mentally.

I went to bed that night & awoke the next morning, October 15th, to a flurry of FitBIT Afib notifications. Firwst ever. One was recorded as early as 10:21 p.m. while the majority recorded events that occurred in the very early hours of the next morning.

Apart from being alarmed–& puzzled, by the Afib notifications, I felt fine.

Note: According to FitBit, which has been collecting health- & specifically heart-related health & fitness data (on me) since 2015, my cardio fitness ranks at the 99th percentile (within my age group; I am 64). I do extreme fitness workouts (Insanity, TapOut XT, P90X, P90X2, P90X3) 4-5 times each week, I average about 12,000 steps per day (even though I am an office worker). My BMI is 18. My resting heart rate is 46. I have NO history of cardiovascular disease whatsoever. I take no medications.

So I was profoundly disturbed by the FitBit/Google AFib notificaitons. Btw: The Google/FitBit AFib algorithm is an FDA-approved medical device & a clinical trial confirmed its accuracy (corresponding to a medical-grade EKG) at 98%.

More information: I consume a plant-based diet that I supplement with Bulletproof Brain Octane, which is a an MCT-based (distilled & concentrated caprylic acid, C8) Keto supplement. I do this primarily for the brain-nutrient benefits. However, Keto supplementation, like a Keto diet, drives depletion of essential electrolytes, especially magnesium & potassium. I have not been supplementing with either magnesium or potassium (though I do take a multi-vitamin with both in small amounts, far, far below the minimum daily requirements) .

Well, we know how important both potassium & magnesium are to heart function.

My reading of some literature (both of a scientific & non-scientific variety) on Keto/Keto supplementation & the essential roles that magnesium & potassium play in electrocardio function lead me to wonder…whether the combination of the recent bivalent Moderna booster (creating the expected immunological activation & inflammation) & my three-times daily Bulletproof supplementation (I put it in a plant-based protein shake; once a day I make a shake with my blender that includes 6-7 cups of fresh baby spinach, which should provide me with a healthy dose of magnesium)…

…did not precipitate/cause these bouts of arrythmia (which the Google algorithm terms "irregular heart beats")?

Since October 15th, I have had two other series of FitBit 'Afib' notifications, recorded once again during my sleep…in the early morning hours.

Note: I have ordered high-quality magnesium taurate & potassium citrate supplements (& am anxiously awaiting their delivery).

Would very much appreciate reading other people thoughts & feedback.

Anticipatory thanks, Shoshin

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Replies to "Your post captured my attention. Thank you sharing it. A confession: I am motivated by self-interest..."

Shoshin, I experienced A-Fib as a result of an adverse reaction to the Pfizer double jab. No boosters for me! Wish I were a "pure blood." If I knew then what we know now. The Covid "vax" is not a true vaccine. The Covid "vax" did not pass rigid testing standards. The Covid "vax" has resulted in thousands of VAERS, including myocarditis and death. The Covid "vax" is not effective. A compilation of international data proves the Covid vax has "resulted in a worldwide spike in food hypersensitivity." An uptick of 2.6%. Doesn't sound like much but lucky me! Count me among that 2.6%. Oh, Covid testing? Totally unreliable! False positives and false negatives.

Now, back to my adverse reaction. I, the Goddess of Regularity, suffered 18 months of MCAS/GI-D (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome/Gastrointestinal-Diarrhea) with up to nine "episodes" per day. Loss of nutrients resulted in A-fib and the attendant blood clots. Long-term loss of all foods, minerals and vitamins resulted in a broken metatarsal in my left foot despite no acute injury.

That diarrhea was caused by an allergic reaction ("food hypersensitivity") to almost every food on the planet and even some supplements. I tried a highly restricted, low histamine diet and it helped but was not the magic bullet. I took 6 doses of antihistamines every day (2 H1 Blockers and 4 H2 Blockers). Desperate, I went to the ER for slow drip, IV infusion of a second generation H2 Blocker. None of it helped! Continued to lose weight and dropped down to an alarming, for me, 115 pounds!

This may not be of interest/benefit to you but I finally got my MCAS/GI-D totally under control by taking a histamine digesting enzyme called DAO. I learned about DAO Enzyme on the Inspire.com forum, which has several groups sharing info on different forms of mastocytosis. One, just one participant had a genius of an Allergist who steered him to DAO Enzyme. Thanks to God's Pharmacy (that's what I call nutraceuticals), I have been back to normal for months now. My weight is back up to 127, my high school graduation weight. By today's standards, even at 127 I'm a "little thing." (My size 4 blue jeans are too big in the waist and tight on my calves.) But I feel terrific!

Getting back on topic: A-fib. My A-fib did not calm down until a couple of days ago. I researched, researched, researched. In my quest for health, I had overdone the potassium supplementation (for me and my size). Excess potassium can also cause A-fib. I backed off the K literally a few days ago and my heart rhythm has been back to normal for 36 hours now. Oh, I should add that, like you, I am a health nut--super fit! Used to be a dancer. Used to work in automotive manufacturing. Point being, I earned my $$$ with my body. Planet Fitness three times a week. Limber? You can't imagine! And I'm going on 69 years old! Low blood pressure. Low heart rate. Low cholesterol. Always hydrated. And, and, and... Acute joint injuries (tears, separations, scar tissue pressing on nerves) healed with broad spectrum collagen, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and MSM. I am the poster child for natural healing.

That metatarsal? I hope it heals by Christmas! Calcium, magnesium, boron, collagen, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2 and and and. Fingers crossed/Sign of the Cross!

Finally, the following may be of interest/useful. Twice a year (on my birthday and Valentine's Day) my husband and I send in hair samples to Advanced Food Intolerance Labs. AFIL has promotional pricing via Groupon.com. Though I am no longer "intolerant" or "hypersensitive" or "allergic" to any foods thanks to DAO Enzyme, the benefits of hair sample testing are comprehensive and the information is easy to understand with color coded columns. For example, despite being a health nut, I'd never heard of molybdenum. I was deficient. So now I supplement. Also, more concerning, that 18 months of MCAS/GI-D resulted in a deficiency of choline. Choline deficiency is a precursor of cognitive decline: dementia/Alzheimer's. Turns out all those H2 Blocker antihistamines I was taking inhibit our bodies' ability to utilize choline! Double whammy! So, yes, you know I'm supplementing choline (along with myriad other vitamins, minerals, herbs, enzymes, amino acids and more). And I've been able to cease taking any and all H2 Blockers! I hope my Valentine's Day hair sample shows sufficiency of choline. I can't praise AFIL enough!

Again, I pray just one bit of sharing above is beneficial to you or someone you know. I thank YOU, Shoshin, for sharing your journey. Please keep us updated. I'll be back to read of your (hopeful) future success! Of course, your root cause is different from mine. That's the key: identifying and addressing the root cause!

Oh, my blood clots (which I could feel since I'm so in touch with my body--former dancer...) were/are resolved with one low-dose aspirin at bedtime. Aspirin, also from Mother Nature, a blood thinner with centuries of use, has resolved that scary problem. The last thing I need is to suffer a stroke! I will continue that low-dose aspirin at bedtime until Valentine's Day even though my A-fib is resolved. Will it stay resolved? After all, it's only been 36 hours. So, I adjure you, Shoshin, whether you can feel the blood clots or not, be advised that A-fib can cause clotting of the blood and strokes.

Can you tell I care? We will never meet face-to-face but I want the best for you. For everyone!

I have AFib about every two weeks,which turned into mostly PACs over a period of a couple months, then about another month without it, except occasionally and not for long...minutes to an hour of AFib bf going I to normal rhythm. I take magnesium taurate, 125 mg about four times daily and drink a Vita Coco coconut water which gives about 640 mg potassium and occasionally two per day. Also for the anxiety caused from AFib, I began taking half of a .05 mg tablet (.25 mg) of Klonopin, which usually takes care of any symptoms. Magnesium and potassium very vital for AFib. Only other med taken is Metoprolol Succinate, 50 mg once daily for heart rate control. I am a woman so I take more magnesium than daily requirement, but with AFib, we need more, I've read between 600-800 mg. I do well on 3-4 doses, so 375-500 daily.