1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Covid and AFib Connection?

Posted by cece55 @cece55, Oct 8, 2021

Hello Everyone,

I am curious and would like to ask this group a question. I have AFib but had not had an event for over a year except for last November. In early February of this year I took the Phizer Vaccine for Covid and had several Afib events with one lasting over a month even with cardioversion. I ended up having an ablation in May and the electrophysiologist found an enlarged and scarred atrium.

I have been doing well and am still on Flecainade, Metoporal and Eliquis. He is about to take the Flecainade away. It is time for my booster shot and I am scared that it will put me into Afib again. My Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist at Mayo said they don't feel that the vaccine had anything to do with my Afib events starting up again.

Has anyone here experienced this? I am debating whether or not to cancel my appointment next week or just take the shot. My doctors said it is better to take the booster than to get Covid.

Thoughts?

Thank You...Blessings to all of you during this trying time. CeCe55

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shoshin | @shoshin | Jan 4, 2023
In reply to @jerrysgirl3 "I took flu and pneumonia vaccines this year but no more Covid vaccines or boosters for..." + (show)
@jerrysgirl3

I took flu and pneumonia vaccines this year but no more Covid vaccines or boosters for me. Just the original two.

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There is a safe & effective protein-based vaccine alternative to the two mRNA COVID vaccines: Novavax. I encourage everyone to investigate it & consult with their physicians (if their physicians are knowledgeable--& up to date on the peer-reviewed literature; most clinicians are not; as far as I know there are 3 peer-reviewed studies, with one published last week, documenting mRNA vaccine-induced adverse effects in a percentage--perhaps 5-10%, of the vaccinated population; in that subset there are other subsets with pre-existing conditions that combined with the mRNA adjuvants to result in adverse effects; net-net: adverse events are sometimes not solely caused by the mRNA vaccine adjuvants). We have the Novavax alternative now. We will have a nasal COVID vaccine in the not-too-distant future.

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shoshin | @shoshin | Jan 4, 2023

And this morning, I read an article published today in "Circulation" (authors: Yonker, Swank, Bartsch et al.) attributing the documented mRNA-vaccine induced mycocarditis events--such as my own, which also included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) to...increased levels of the viral (SARS-CoV-2) protein spike in their bloodstream (study carried out by a team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital). This study does not document the adjuvant-related factors (lipid-delivery technology featuring polyethylene glycol, PEG), which have been reported elsewhere. These papers & data provide much-needed insight into the experiences of a subset of the mRNA vaccine recipients. Thank heavens we have an alternative to the mRNA products.

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camatema75 | @camatema75 | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @shoshin "Your post captured my attention. Thank you sharing it. A confession: I am motivated by self-interest..." + (show)
@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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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.

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scarlett40 | @scarlett40 | Jan 13, 2023
In reply to @ajnewyork "I had my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in early February, 2021 and 6 weeks..." + (show)
@ajnewyork

I had my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in early February, 2021 and 6 weeks later, through a routine medical exam, learned that my resting heart rate had jumped to 120 bpm and was arrhythmic. I'd had no prior history of arrhythmia and none in family, but I had been diagnosed several years earlier with Sinus Bradycardia. Since March, when the arrhythmia/tachycardia was found, Ive had two ablations, the most recent in September. I am experiencing post-ablation symptoms of tachycardia and arrhythmia which have so far resolved. In the course of treating my atrial flutter, I spoke to two separate nurses on two separate occasions who asked me (perhaps out of general interest) if my arrhythmia had started after receiving the vaccine. When I told them it had and asked if they knew of a connection, both replied, "They just don't know". This has not been reassuring in helping me to move forward with the booster shot! I am sure that my cardiologist and GP will tell me that the risks of Covid 19 are far greater than the risks of arrhythmia from the vaccine and I think they would be right, but I wish I felt more sanguine about it. My sister at age 63 had one of the rare side effects of pericarditis from her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, but it resolved within a few days.

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Had afib after second shot have been very healthy until then now on eliquis rest of life

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scarlett40 | @scarlett40 | Jan 13, 2023

Had afib and stroke after second Pfizer shot on eliquis rest of life

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tct | @tct | Jan 14, 2023

Not necessarily… I too got AFIB after 2nd booster shot. Had the ablation procedure in Nov and will talk with my EP in a couple of months about stopping Eliquis.

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hunby2blas | @hunby2blas | Jan 14, 2023

the enlarged and scarred atrium issue, i would take mayo advise it could be that it was found after the shot otherwise you might have never known . i had an enlarged heart know one new till i had open heart surgery done at mayo. the surgery found it, no one in c my other heart drs found it. with the ablation you had hopefully it helped the condition.

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biggfoot16 | @biggfoot16 | Jan 19, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello, I'm sorry to hear you have been experiencing Afib episodes. If you compare the incidence..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello, I'm sorry to hear you have been experiencing Afib episodes.
If you compare the incidence of Afib reported after the vaccine to Afib during or after a Covid infection, you will find your doc is correct - infection poses a much higher risk than vaccination.
This is especially true for anyone who has already had Afib in their medical history. In addition, having an underlying condition like Covid makes it more likely you will get other complications like pneumonia if you get Covid.
So it is a matter of deciding whether you would rather risk an episode of Afib, which you and your doctors know how to manage, or an infection with Covid.
Sue

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I had a-flutter 7-8 years ago. I took medication and after a couple of years it settled down, I had my 1st vaccine in Apr of 21 and my 2nd in May. In June the A-flutter started again. I went to my cardiologist and he suggested an ablation procedure. I didn't get in to the specialist until the end of July. They scheduled me for the procedure for the end of Sep. I aske "Is there that many A-fib and A-flutter to have to wait so long. The PA giving last minute instructions etc. told me there was a significant increase in those incidents after taking the vaccine. When my booster was due I saw an article by the AHA on ACS. They tested 500+ people and 11% had ACS prior to the vaccine, after the vaccine that number jumped to 25%. I have made an informed decision, risk verses rewards to not get another Covid vaccine. that might be a mistake but I'm a healthy, active 74 year old male. If you've never experienced a constant 250 bpm heart rate, energy level so low sleep was all that was on my mind, feel like I was going to pass out when rising, unsteady walking. I've had Covid, it kicked my butt for about a month. I'll take my chances.

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nancymulloy | @nancymulloy | Jan 20, 2023

I made the same decision (also active 74 yo). Tachycardia and Afib followed vaccines. Had an ablation, still on meds. Done with that vaccine.

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ruby2020 | @ruby2020 | Jan 20, 2023

Just a little over a year ago, my (previously in perfect health his entire life) 34 year old son was diagnosed with Viral Myocarditis, Atrial Fib. and Flutter, and a few days later our lives changed in the blink of an eye- this all resulted in 2 strokes. They won't say what virus - although I have my own theory. They only called it Viral because they ruled out every other possible cause. He had his 2nd vaccine about 5 weeks before all this happened. At the time, he had been to the dr 2 times within the previous week and a half. He was being treated for an upper resp. infection and tested negative for Covid. So we don't know if it was a false negative Covid test or a result of the vaccine. We are all DONE with the vaccine, just in case it was related.

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