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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

@windyshores

Is there a link with Moderna as well?

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YES! My suspicion about the connection between the Mod jab and within weeks in the ER with fib/flutter grows. I'm mid 70's, 7 mos out of the year vigorously biking 5+hrs wk, plant based etc. I'm not anxious to get a booster, the second produced 102 fever and malaise for 3 days. Admittedly I take a little beauty called Hydroxyurea for a platelet issue, who knows?

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I'm 73, I have had a pacemaker for couple years for low pulse rate at night. I got a call from my cardio that alarm went off for flutter/pulse 100+. The day of that occurrence I got my Moderna booster. No side effect at all from that other than possible flutter, no real side effect from earlier Moderna vaxxes. I got a Cardioversion a few days later, a week ago now.

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I hope all went well and wish you the best. I had my second Moderna vaccination in April and wound up in the ER 2 weeks later with afib. I am 57, and am a runner so I’m in pretty good shape. I’ve never had afib previously and don’t know if it was related to the vaccine. I had a sleep study, echo, stress test, and CT scan all of which came back as low risk and no evidence of any cardiac issues. I rarely drink alcohol which was another question I’ve been asked. I think it was just a coincidence that my afib happened after my vaccination. However, it’s interesting to see others may be experiencing something similar. I get my booster in a couple of days and selected a Moderna booster. I personally think that my risk in getting the booster is less than the risk I will have with Covid. Thank you all for your posts and comments. It makes me feel as though there is some support out there for me.

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@windyshores

I am curious how your sister's pericarditis was diagnosed. I had my Pfizer booster two days ago and got costochondritis, which feels just like pericarditis. Is it possible your sister had costochondritis instead (inflammation of connective tissue between ribs and breast bone).

Now that there is are antiviral pills about to come on the market, I supposed they could offer another path of safety. I have paroxysmal afib but my 3 Pfizer doses did not trigger any arrhythmias.

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Please pardon my delay in getting back to you. I'm sorry you had to experience the costochondritis. My sister definitely had pericarditis. I hope you're better now!

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@mojoh

I'm 73, I have had a pacemaker for couple years for low pulse rate at night. I got a call from my cardio that alarm went off for flutter/pulse 100+. The day of that occurrence I got my Moderna booster. No side effect at all from that other than possible flutter, no real side effect from earlier Moderna vaxxes. I got a Cardioversion a few days later, a week ago now.

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I heard back from my Cardio re the connection. He said "potentially". If so, I should never have the flutter occurrence again. Cardoversion is still cake compared to Covid.

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I started having heart palpitations after second Moderna shot. Went to doctor when they continued and found I had high BP ( also had pulsitile tennitus for first time ever in one ear...( My BP was normal a year ago) ...Put on meds for BP but palpitations have continued. Very concerned now about getting booster. Reading about connection between afib and inflammation, and wondering if the shot somehow replicates what COVID does to the degree that it can induce elevated BP and afib....??? Sure, I "get" that same folks vulnerable to dying from the virus must weigh the risks, a real catch 22...but hey, they need to BE OPEN about such risks, so we can make informed decisions...and I don't think they are being transparent enough on this issue at all...(I'm nott an anti vaccer!) Saw an article from UK where they at least advised citizens IF they had signifcant reaction from shots - i.e, they LISTED palpitations etc.) as seriious effects, to do diligence prior to getting booster.. Right....So what are we supposed to do?

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@ccb

I started having heart palpitations after second Moderna shot. Went to doctor when they continued and found I had high BP ( also had pulsitile tennitus for first time ever in one ear...( My BP was normal a year ago) ...Put on meds for BP but palpitations have continued. Very concerned now about getting booster. Reading about connection between afib and inflammation, and wondering if the shot somehow replicates what COVID does to the degree that it can induce elevated BP and afib....??? Sure, I "get" that same folks vulnerable to dying from the virus must weigh the risks, a real catch 22...but hey, they need to BE OPEN about such risks, so we can make informed decisions...and I don't think they are being transparent enough on this issue at all...(I'm nott an anti vaccer!) Saw an article from UK where they at least advised citizens IF they had signifcant reaction from shots - i.e, they LISTED palpitations etc.) as seriious effects, to do diligence prior to getting booster.. Right....So what are we supposed to do?

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I agree I asked anybody if their doctors recommended one or the other vaccine if you have preexisting conditions and nobody responded.

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@mojoh

I heard back from my Cardio re the connection. He said "potentially". If so, I should never have the flutter occurrence again. Cardoversion is still cake compared to Covid.

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I'm interested to see that your cardiologist advised that there could be a potential connection. But would you be able to elaborate on your second sentence? Were you saying that your cardiologist said that if you had the booster, they did not think the flutter occurrence would happen again? I spoke to my PCP about my situation and she thought it might be wise to wait and gather more information. My understanding about the booster is that it is half as strong as the 1st and second doses we received previously.

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I have had the Moderna series including booster with absolutely no problem. I have PAF and SVT which was not triggered by these vaccines.

Sometimes things occur together without correlation and are more likely coincidental. It would be interesting to know what the rate of new onset arrythmia following vaccine is compared with new onset naturally occurring in the general population. I suspect it's lower.

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@ajnewyork

I'm interested to see that your cardiologist advised that there could be a potential connection. But would you be able to elaborate on your second sentence? Were you saying that your cardiologist said that if you had the booster, they did not think the flutter occurrence would happen again? I spoke to my PCP about my situation and she thought it might be wise to wait and gather more information. My understanding about the booster is that it is half as strong as the 1st and second doses we received previously.

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I have not yet actually spoken with my Cardio. My take from the msg. is , Ïf" my flutter was booster induced, I should not have a flutter incidence again. Will have to inquire about future boosters, if that is a possible trigger again. A lot is still really unknown atm. Flutter onset could be total coincidence, but there is anecdotal linkage.

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