Heart Arythmmia

[urrrgh46]

I've developed an irregular heartbeat - I can trace it beginning to just after I had covid - and will have a 24hr monitor this week. Anyone else living with this and how are you being treated? I attended A&e last week and was meant to have been monitored within a couple of days - I've now arranged my own monitoring privately as I haven't been contacted as yet - suspect they're just overwhelmed with patients right now. Anyhow, just want to know how other people cope and what treatment they've received (medications etc).

I have gone privately too to the consultant. If you can get to Welbeck health and see Dr Lim, he specialises in arrythmias post covid. He is very good

@PeeJayDay it seems that viral illnesses are a common cause of irregular heartbeat so it doesn't surprise me that Covid is a possible cause of it for many people. Myocarditis has been a noted side affect (rare) of the Pfizer vaccination. I've had all my vaccinations and am sure that isn't the issue for me but I think possibly the Covid infection itself is - I could have caught flu and had the same problem. Just wants some answers really! And to know whether I need medication or not!

@trying29 let's see what my monitor says - should be done this week. And an echo next.

@PeeJayDay how is it paranoid? I had an episode of arrhythmia after each vac, I don't have it constantly. Hence why the doctors told me it's how I respond to stress now. As I already said upthread a family member has it & I know it's very common in older people....

Also the doctors told me covid caused my first episode & treated me with IV antibiotics & fluids which put me back into rhythm at hospital. I'm not sure why you are disagreeing with the doctors @PeeJayDay?

@trying29 thank you, I will look into that as I feel private is the best way forward.

Calm down @drogh

You didn't mention any doctors before my post 🤣 (apart from the ones that didn't want to talk to you)

OP - you won't be in any immediate danger, it's something I and many others have lived with for a long time. I'd advise staying calm whilst they find the best treatment for you (if any).

Yes, me. 51, non- smoker, very busy with 4 kids and full time job had an “episode” changing tubes on the way home from work late September. Didn’t get better and 4 days later spent 8 hours in A&E with massive chest pain-had bloods done, x ray etc but no answers. It wasn’t a heart attack, thank God but felt very bad. Still waiting NHS follow up so went private and had CT scan which showed heart architecture ok bar leaky mitral valve - but still no real answers re: obvious arrhythmia (which was diagnosed). Fully vaccinated and boosted. Had Covid (delta) October 2021 and just recently Covid again (still feeling ropey). Have been given anti- inflammatories by GP and bought a heart monitor (£80 Amazon) on recommendation of private consultant but still nervous. Personally I think (hope) it is inflammation post- Covid (twice). I don’t think this is being talked about much, as before Covid I was fit and healthy with no heart issues.

@PeeJayDay err I did, perhaps you should calm down & actually read posts?

Also I said upthread I find it quite a horrible thing to experience but I'm glad you're entertained!

@Paris14eme that's interesting the doctors gave you anti inflammatories. Did you find it helpful?

My 2nd covid bout gave me 3 episodes in 6 weeks which I found very scary.

@drogh I'm fine. I've had this for a long time, you seem to be trying to link it to the vaccines and accusing doctors of a "cover up".

Fine if you believe all that shite but I don't, I think it's paranoia on your part. As I said earlier.

@drogh it does feel very scary, doesn’t it? The anti- inflammatories have helped a bit though not stopped the arrhythmia. I do wonder if the vaccines or Covid itself have caused my inflammation- the private consultant said that more research is needed on this.

@PeeJayDay
Yes I believe the doctors are covering up which is why I've had more than one vaccine...🤔 I do however think the potential link with stress, hormones, inflammation is interesting.

Do you have anything useful to contribute?

@Paris14eme thank you, I do find it scary. It will be interesting to see if my attempts to reduce inflammation make a difference.

I'm sorry you don't find my input useful but I'll stick with "stay calm" if that's all the same to you.

Getting yourself worked up with conspiracy theories won't help your heart. Paranoia helps nobody. It's more likely that your arrhythmia was already underlying long before covid. It often isn't detected until slightly later on in life, like lots of things.

What covid conspiracies? I'm utterly confused. It's common knowledge that an infection can cause an arrhythmia...

From the NHS website

"Common triggers for an arrhythmia are viral illnesses, alcohol, tobacco, changes in posture, exercise, drinks containing caffeine, certain over-the-counter and prescribed medicines, and illegal recreational drugs."

The key piece of data will be whether unvaccinated people are getting the same heart issues after having covid. As far as I know, that data does not exist - but it probably should

I certainly don't appreciate your advice of stay calm because you likely had it before covid to be useful at all. Perhaps other posters do?

Ok

I've been having skipped beats ever since I was ill in March 2020. Unfortunately I never had a covid test at that point as I wasn't knowingly a close contact so they didn't provide them here but symptoms were similar so I think it may have been. Ever since I've had daily chest pain and when I check my pulse I can feel the skipped beats. I've had a CT, echo and stress test which show no other issues. Had 2 ECGs a year apart which both showed arrhythmias (as did the stress test) but was just told to cut out caffeine even though I've drunk decaf for over 8 years and don't drink alcohol more than once a year. For now I'm just dealing with the discomfort.

I’ve had this all my life. I’ve got a congenital heart block but wasn’t diagnosed until my 30s. It’s a bit annoying but has no implications but can be uncomfortable at times.

Thank you both @DohaDragon and @Usernamenotallowed sorry you both have the problem! @Usernamenotallowed we are certain our eldest daughter had Covid in Jan 2020 (she was at a London university with lots of Chinese students who'd just returned after Xmas) fortunately she doesn't seem to have any lasting issues!

Hi @trying29 just coming back to say the results of the ecg have revealed I'm having 18% ectopic beats and is regularly in 2 and 3s. I've been prescribed a beta blocker (bisoprolol) , although this is contra indicated for people with raynauds (which I have quite badly) so the GP didn't want to prescribe it but has and is asking cardiology for their input. I'm also being referred to cardiology but honestly think I'll get a private consult as the GP said it would be months. My 24 ecg was done through a private complaint and the result analysed by a cardiologist in AUS and then the results sent to my GP.

Oh this seems very similar to me! Mine was 12%. I take that beta blocker and flecanide.
im happy to recommend my cardiologist - he’s at one welbeck in London.
how do you feel on these results?

I only got the results today and got a bit upset tbh!! It's a bit scary but feel glad to be starting the beta blocker. 🤞🏼 it helps! I have seen improve my with giving up caffeine even though I didn't have very much - I must be very sensitive to it.