I wanted to write on the topic of COVID-19, vaccines, and atrial fibrillation because I wanted to provide a place for you, the reader, to voice your thoughts, opinions, and experiences on the topic.
Most websites these days don’t allow you to leave comments, and those that do aren’t particularly friendly to “free speech.” I was shocked to see that the Afibbers.org forum, a forum that was established on the idea of sharing information you can’t find on mainstream websites, has completely shut down any discussion on this topic. Why?
What is the harm in having a discussion on this topic (or any topic for that matter)? I don’t get it. I’ll never understand the desire to shut down free speech. It’s a completely foreign concept to me. This blog will always allow comments and will always allow people to voice their opinions on any subject as long as it stays civil.
To that end, I encourage everyone reading this to leave comments below this blog post and start a discussion. All I ask is that you keep it civil. If you don’t, I won’t publish your comments. That’s the only rule I have.
Jump Ahead To:
My Experience with COVID-19 and Atrial Fibrillation
As many of you know, I’ve been afib free since my 2015 ablation so during this entire pandemic I haven’t had any afib episodes. I’ve also been fortunate enough to be spared from COVID-19. I haven’t even had as much as a cough since the pandemic began (but then again I haven’t had a cold or any kind of sickness in years).
Fortunately, that’s all I have to say about my experience with COVID-19 and atrial fibrillation. I haven’t had an experience with either one since the pandemic.
How I Protected Myself from COVID-19
It’s interesting, as much as I fear afib, I had ZERO fear of COVID-19 from day one. I still have zero fear of it. I suppose the reason is I don’t consider myself to be in a high-risk group. I’m 49, relatively healthy, haven’t had any afib since 2015, and I’m not obese (although I am overweight). If I was 65 or older with active afib, then I might have a different perspective.
Because I didn’t fear COVID-19, I lived my life just like I did before the pandemic. If I had someplace to go, I went, and I only wore a mask when and where it was required (with great consternation because I HATE masks). And no, I didn’t wear N95 masks either. I wore the same worthless cloth masks everyone else wears, and like most people, I pulled it down as often as I could so I could breathe!
I followed the “six feet of social distance” rule out of respect for others even though I thought it was ridiculous.
I didn’t wash my hands any more than usual, nor did I use hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes more than usual.
The only extra precaution I took, and that I continue to take today, is I became extremely diligent with my vitamin C and vitamin D intake. I’ve always taken large amounts of these vitamins but when the pandemic hit, I figured it made sense to increase my intake of both. I also became very diligent about measuring my vitamin D levels every month to ensure they were adequate at all times.
I also started taking N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, zinc, and a targeted immune multivitamin daily.
My Experience with COVID-19 Vaccines and Atrial Fibrillation
I reluctantly (and regrettably) had one Pfizer shot. I was never going to get a vaccine, but my wife was pressuring me so hard that I felt I had no choice. You know what they say, “happy wife, happy life.”
For some reason she was very scared of getting COVID-19 so she couldn’t get a vaccine fast enough. The minute they were available, she lined up for one immediately. I held off for several weeks, but she wasn’t happy with me at all. You could cut the tension with a knife. I felt I had no choice but to cave, so I did and got the first shot. Thankfully, I had zero side effects from it. My arm didn’t even get sore.
Since I caved and already took the first jab, I had every intention of getting the second shot, but then during that three-week period between the first and second shots, I learned more about COVID-19 and vaccines. I decided getting the second shot wasn’t for me so I “accidentally” forgot about the appointment I had for the second shot.
By that time my wife had been fully vaccinated for a while so she had cooled down about the whole subject. While she believed I should be fully vaccinated as well, she finally realized I was going to do what I wanted to do so she just rolled her eyes when I told her I forgot to get my second shot. For the following few weeks she kept gently reminding me to get the second shot but she eventually dropped it.
The reasons for my skepticism with the COVID-19 vaccines are many. Mainly, I’m not convinced that the vaccines do anything and can potentially cause more harm than good. This is just my OPINION. I fully admit my opinion may be totally wrong, ignorant, etc. but it’s my opinion nonetheless.
Your Thoughts on COVID-19, Vaccines, and Atrial Fibrillation
I encourage all of you to leave comments below this blog post and start a discussion. Again, all I ask is please be respectful and keep things civil!
I’m curious to get your thoughts on any of the following:
Do you have afib now because of getting COVID-19? I’ve read that a potential long-term side effect of COVID-19 is getting afib and other arrhythmia.
Do you have afib now because of getting a COVID-19 vaccine? I’ve had people email me asking if I know of any connection between the vaccines and getting afib.
Has the COVID-19 vaccine made your afib worse, or affected your heart health in anyway?
Have you avoided getting a COVID-19 vaccine for fear that it might make your afib or heart health worse?
Like me, did you get a COVID-19 vaccine because you felt pressured by your friends or family? I can’t be the only one that reluctantly got a vaccine because of intense pressure from their family!
Were you ever denied treatment for your afib because you weren’t vaccinated?
Did you have afib when you got COVID-19? If so, what was it like? Did COVID-19 make your afib worse? Did your afib make your COVID-19 infection even harder to cope with?
Are you suffering from any long-term side effects after recovering from COVID-19 as it pertains to your afib and heart health? Perhaps after your recovery you now experience more episodes of atrial fibrillation, or maybe your episodes are more intense or last longer?
Did you experience heart palpitations when you wore masks? This is one of many reasons why I hated masks. I would experience noticeable heart palpitations when I wore a mask because my oxygen was being restricted.
Did your afib make you especially scared of COVID-19? If so, how did that fear affect you? Did you rarely leave your home? Did you take extra precautions when leaving the home such as only wearing N95 masks? And are you still just as scared of COVID-19 today?
What a nut!!!
O.K…lol. Have a good one!
Travis
My two cents on the virus, shots and afib. Many were concerned that getting the virus would provoke afib and the shot(s) would be their best protection. Speaking from my experience, I passed on the shots simply because I have had very few shots over my lifetime, the last being a tetanus in 1991. So my fear was not getting the virus which would provoke afib, Ive dealt with afib so of course that isnt a concern tho not welcoming. My thoughts were the same as any health issue, how to prevent and treat as naturally as possible. Getting the Virus this past Jan did NOT provoke afib, and did not kill me. It was not much fun for the first 3 days, but treating with natural along with Hydroxy and Ivermectin chased off the worst of it by day 4. It literally took 30 days before lingering symptoms such as fatigue and dry throat subsided, but quite tolerable. The good news was since that time I have been as healthy as Ive ever been and no afib episodes for the first year since 2012. A side note is that many support groups on social media are gaining hundreds of new afib members who were jabbed and many who had afib report it became worse. This is anecdotally speaking of course and other sites report no such findings.
Hi Travis – I got to thinking that many of us can unconsciously influence others more than we realize. There are several articles online saying the same thing.
That can happen especially when someone is highly skilled/knowledgeable in one area. And many of us may assume that that knowledge base is transferrable to other areas whenever that person gives personal opinions.
e.g. Say I’m an engineer, a well-respected business person, a lactation consultant, a well respected health blogger on a specific condition, or a topnotch carpenter or lawyer …. when I offer opinions on other topics about which I do not have the education/experience/expertise/extensive knowledge, some people may still believe my other personal opinions have more credence.
Even if I clearly state that it’s just my opinion. And it may influence their choices. It’s human nature. Our words do have power.
May we all stay well – we all belong to a club that we’d rather not have joined.
Thanks, Helen.
Helen:
I get what you’re saying but I don’t understand what the problem is here. I simply wrote this blog post to share my opinions on this topic and to give others an outlet to share their thoughts and opinions since it’s so hard these days to find outlets to openly share such things. It’s a sad state of affairs.
I simply want people to share their experiences with COVID and COVID vaccines as it pertains to afib. I’m not telling anyone to not get the vaccine or to get the vaccine. I don’t care what people do. It’s their life and their choice. That isn’t the point of this blog post! I simply want to learn how COVID and COVID vaccines help or hurt those with afib.
Travis
Ive already commented on this subject but just need to say I hope the negativity some expressed here does not discourage you from future blogs. I recently removed myself from social media( facebook) because I was weary of the nay sayers who could not just scroll on but had to be critical of others. Your blog is refreshing to me and I feel we are fellow travelers along this road of life with a fib. Please keep putting yourself out there as you are a positive light in the darkness of this world. Thanks for all you do Travis.
Lou:
Thank you for your kind words. I sincerely appreciate it. You made my day!
Don’t even get me started on social media. It’s the scourge of society. I believe it is one of the primary reasons we have such cultural rot in the world today. That is why you won’t find me anywhere in social media (although I do have a Facebook page for this site but I haven’t touched it in a long long time). I have refused to participate in it (personally) since it launched in the mid 2000’s. I will occasionally use it as a tool for research but even then it is rare. I HATE social media! My dream is that someday all these social media outlets will disappear.
I will never stop writing on this blog and sharing my thoughts or opinions. It’s a personal outlet for me, sort of a public journal, if you will. I don’t care if I get 1 visitor or 1 million visitors. I write as an outlet – period. I don’t care if I get nothing but negative comments and mud thrown at me. It has zero impact on me so you can rest assure I’m not going anywhere!
Have a great day!!
God Bless,
Travis
I chose early on to not get the vaccine simply because it was not proven safe. My wife had to get it to keep working but I’m retired and had nothing to force me to comply. I have had two afib sessions already this year. We both got Omicron after my last afib and she had a real bad chest cold but I had the mildest cold I’ve ever had. Just a little bit of congestion and a mild short lived sore throat. Because of my heart condition I will never get the shot. Thank you for you’re blog and I read very often! :-)
jwsmith2:
Glad to hear you had a mild experience with COVID combined with your atrial fibrillation. That’s why I created this post – to hear from people like you as to what their experience was having both COVID and afib. Thanks for sharing.
Your other comment is interesting as well. You are electing NOT to get the vaccine because of your afib. Yet, many others are getting the vaccine BECAUSE of their afib. I totally see both sides of the argument. The “experts” say that if you have afib, you’d be crazy not to get the vaccine because those with afib that contract COVID may be in greater danger, or at least have a much tougher go of it. But yet we know that the vaccines create at least some form of inflammation and we know that there is the potential for these vaccines to cause heart issues such as myocarditis. If you have afib, which is a heart condition that doesn’t like inflammation, then you might conclude that the vaccine will do more harm than good. I can see both sides. This is why I continue to be “vaccine hesitant.” I honestly don’t know which side of the argument is “right.”
Have a good day!
Travis
I am an almost 72 year old female that was diagnosed with AFib 12 years ago. However, since I was 21, I have had PVC’s quite frequently. So I could have had AFib for longer. Since irregular heartbeat have been a way of life for me for 50 years, I just live my life and don’t worry about them. The doctors do however and I have been on Xarelto since 2014.
I had 2 Moderna shots and one booster back in January. Looking back at the past year, I realized that I have had more and lasting longer episodes of AFib. Things calming down now and I refuse to have more boosters even though my doctor keeps pushing it. Oh yes I still got the Coronavirus and recovered quickly.
Mary:
Thanks for sharing your experiences. We all know that afib doesn’t like inflammation and it’s my understanding that these COVID vaccines and boosters do increase inflammation. I don’t know if that’s true. If it is, I don’t know how bad the inflammation is or how long it lasts. Maybe there is a correlation??? Either way, glad to hear your heart has settled down!
Travis
I think it’s important not to overlook the overiding takeaway from Mary’s story. She got Coronavirus but RECOVERED QUICKLY! Obviously a mild case. And the fact that she was vaccinated is, in all likelihood, the reason that her llness was so mild. But you are both so focused on the possible side effects that you failed to make that important connection. You glossed right over it. Without her vaccinations, Mary could very well have experienced a much more serious illness and a potentially bad outcome. But you’d rather focus on the possible side effects because that supports your oppositon to the vaccines. So let’s put it in perspective — saving lives vs. side effects. Hmmm. I gather from the tone of Mary’s closing statement that she, like many people, still doesn’t understand how this vaccine works. It’s not like the traditional vaccines we’re used to. It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get infected. What it does do is protect you from severe illness and the need for hospitalization. In other words, it saves lives. The numbers tell the story with undeniable clarity. The vast majority of people who have died from COVID were unvaccinated, while the vast majority of vaccinated people who had breakthrough infections had mild symptoms and quick recoveries, just like Mary. I’m glad she was one of those quick recoveries. But instead of being grateful that the vaccine protected her from severe illness, she chooses to focus on the side effects. That is her prerogative, but let’s give credit where it’s due, because it’s a fact that these vaccines save lives. Like everything in medicine, you have to weigh the risks against the benefits. If you’re afraid you might get side effects from the vaccine, please consider what the after-effects of contracting COVID are like if you’re unvaccinated: Potential long-term health issues like cardiovascular damage, lung damage, kidney damage, neuological damage, and, oh yeah… death.
Dormine:
That argument, “it could have been worse if you didn’t take the vaccine” is impossible to prove, and one that I struggle with a lot. My understanding is that the latest variants are far more contagious but not nearly as severe. It’s also my understanding that is typically the nature of viruses – that as they mutate, they become more contagious but less severe. If that is true, then one has to wonder just how bad it might be if you didn’t have the vaccine. It’s possible with the latest variants, that recovery would be just as quick even without the vaccine. Again, I don’t know and it’s obviously something impossible to prove.
The other thing that puzzles me is there are lot of people getting COVID but it’s very mild in most cases (vaccinated or not).
I don’t understand your continued “anger” over this discussion. You are free to believe what you believe and to do what you want to do. Why do you insist that everyone believe what you believe? Again, I’m not trying to sway people one way or another. And I’m not “anti vax” as you seem to assume. Vaccine hesitant as it pertains to the COVID vaccine, yes, but I’m not an “anti vaxer.” You can be for vaccines and still question the COVID vaccines.
What I also find fascinating is that people on both sides of the fence say there is all this evidence for or against it, and yet nobody can seem to cite specific sources. This holds true for you and me! I suspect it doesn’t matter because we’ve both already made up our minds. Anything you cite I can probably poke holes in and you could do likewise.
At the end of the day, I think it’s important to have discussions and let it be a spring board for further research and study. It drives me crazy that people who are for the vaccine think they have all the answers so any discussion on the contrary is “dangerous” and must be shut down.
That’s actually how science works – by constantly questioning the status quo. The science was once, “the earth is flat.” Science evolves by questioning, testing, examining, etc.
Have a good one!
Travis
You indicate that the COVID “vaccines” are reducing symptoms! What source did you use to make this statement because as of the time of this post, there is not such a source, only opinions. I would suggest looking at data from the Defense Medical Epidemiological Database (DMED) before rendering an opinion even though you provided your opinion in an intended helpful manner.
I am concerned that the spreading of non-scientific, anecdotal stories such as you and others have posted here could persuade uninformed persons to avoid the COVID vaccines. This is a serious dis-service to our population of at-risk individuals. We have been using vaccines very successfully for 100 years, wiping out smallpox and diminishing many other infectious diseases such as polio. Infectious disease had been the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality historically. Today infectious disease is not even in the top ten reasons for mortality and morbidity in this country. Why?? Public health measures such as vaccination, safe water supply etc. is why! Failure to follow the science will result in more unnecessary deaths. (Please recall that 1,000,000 of our citizens have died from COVID thus far. The average lifespan in the USA has fallen by one- and one-half years).
It is true that ALL vaccines carry some risk factors such as mild discomfort, fever and occasionally even death. However, the data driven, evidence-based value of vaccines is irrefutable. The vast preponderance of medical scientists agrees. Take the vaccine to protect yourself and others
Richard:
Richard:
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your concern but I believe in free speech and I believe in the right to express your opinion. You are totally free to agree or disagree with my opinions or the opinions of others left in these comments. I think it’s dangerous to shut down discussion on any topic.
I also believe that adults are smart enough to do their own research and make their own decisions. The idea that some adult is going to read my blog post or these comments and make a decision about their health is ridiculous. I make it very clear that I am not a doctor, scientist, etc. I’m just a guy that had afib who chooses to share his experiences and opinions – period.
Finally, my blog post isn’t about advocating for or against vaccines. I genuinely want to know what experiences those with afib have had with COVID and vaccines. I just want a discussion, that’s all.
Travis
Low end diabetic, A. fib on the low end as well. Taking Eliquis. Had a severe bout with the virus in May 2021. My local ER did nothing for me when I tested positive. I reject all the shots. My wife was so scared over my bout with the virus that she got the first two shots. She catches every bug which comes through and I do not. A son had the virus the same time I did, took the shots, and went thorough severe depression. I no longer trust the medical system at all.
Randy:
Thanks for sharing your experience. It is interesting that the data coming out shows that those states and countries with the most vaccinated people have more cases and deaths than those that aren’t so highly vaccinated. It’s a trend that puzzles me. I don’t know if there is causation going on or what, but it is definitely curious.
My son is fully vaccinated (no boosters) and he’s the only one in our family that got COVID (a very mild case – barely had any symptoms other than we thought he had a cold). He’s also suffered from more colds since getting vaccinated than he ever has. Again, I don’t know if there is causation going on or what, but it’s interesting.
My wife is fully vaccinated and boosted and hasn’t had COVID nor has she had any colds or sickness. Go figure.
Travis
“It is interesting that the data coming out shows that those states and countries with the most vaccinated people have more cases and deaths than those that aren’t so highly vaccinated. It’s a trend that puzzles me.” Seriously? Maybe it puzzles you because it is simply not true! I don’t know where you are getting this misinformation but the truth is just the opposite. Everything I have ever read — from RELIABLE sources — shows that the areas where the most people are vaccinated have the least deaths and vice versa. I am frankly shocked at how a person of your intelligence can be taken in by such extreme and bizzarre anti-vaxx propaganda! And then to dispense this BS to people who put their trust in you? Totally irresponsible. You claim to just be gathering information about afib and the vaccine, but it sure is beginning to look like you are pushing you own not-so-innocent agenda. You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.
Dormine:
I feel like if we were having a cup of coffee together you’d be yelling at me. No need to get so bent out of shape. We’re just having a discussion here.
Who’s to say what I’ve read and heard isn’t also from “reliable” sources? Who determines what are reliable sources? You?
And as I mentioned to you in my response to your other comment, you say you have all these sources and evidence, yet you don’t cite any. I’m guilty of the same thing so I can point the finger right back to me. I’d bet most of us are pretty clueless because there is so much noise out there and unfortunately it has become so politicized. Furthermore, we’re all in our camps now so even if you did show me your “reliable sources” and I showed you my reliable sources, we’d still disagree.
At the end of the day we all just need to do our own research as best as we can and make a decision accordingly. And again, the point of my blog post wasn’t to advocate for or against vaccines. I don’t care what people do. I simply shared my thoughts about it. My main goal was to hear from people regarding their experiences with COVID and the vaccines as it pertains to their afib.
I sincerely wish you the very best and I do appreciate the discussion!
God Bless,
Travis
Not in my state and 100% verified by the dept of health here. We had the dubious distinction of the highest inoculated state, some counties 97%, and at one point the highest cases per capita and death rate in the country.
Hi Travis,
I am happy to see your Blog, I have been diagnosed with A-Fib since 2014 but had symptoms for a few years before that.
Since then I have been in and out of ER and the hospital many times with a total of at least 5 Cardio Verts. On top of that, I have suffered from severe anxiety for which I take Lorazepam. It helps!
My concern is when I do anything physical I get out of breath and have to rest, whether it is vacuuming, or mopping the floor or anything, I live on the second floor and have 14 steps to climb to get to my apartment and when I get inside I collapse, it doesn’t take long to recuperate but it’s scary.
I did get all the Covid 19 shots as well as the Pneumonia and Shingles shots, with no bad side effects except a sore arm.
I want to go and visit my son and his family who live in Missouri, they moved there 2 years ago and I Live in Connecticut and miss them very much, I am afraid to go to the airport, haven’t been to an airport in 30 years, I’m afraid of standing in line and trying to find where I have to go to do the things needed to get on the plane and actually get to St. Louis. Cause of much anxiety and shortness of breath, it’s embarrassing trying to explain these things to others. What can I do to minimize the effects of anxiety and the fear of an AFib episode?
I am also afraid of changing planes and walking any distance because walking exhausts me. I’m not a basket case, I just know my limitations. I am almost 75 and had to retire almost 7 years ago because of all this. I still stay active but nothing like I used to, AFib has changed my life tremendously.
Thank you for this blog and for taking the time to read about my adventure with AFib and Covid19 shots etc.
Linda:
Sorry to hear about all your struggles with afib. It’s no fun, I know!
For starters, glad to hear the COVID vaccines had no effect on your atrial fibrillation! (and I presume you’ve managed to stay COVID free as well – awesome!).
Regarding the anxiety, there are a variety of medications to consider such as Lorazepam, as you’ve mentioned. There are also supplements you can try as well such as L-Theanine. This is the product I’ve used before (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/38ZurEb
You can also try this product (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3xuvZPG
I’ve used both products but I’ll admit they didn’t do much for me, but if you read all the reviews, they seem to help a lot of people who have anxiety. They might have helped to calm me but I don’t know. I don’t suffer from horrible anxiety so it’s hard to say. They might be worth a shot.
If drugs and supplements don’t work, then there is always therapy.
As for your specific desire to travel to Missouri, is there any way a family member could drive you down to Missouri (assuming you don’t have a desire to drive by yourself). If I had intense anxiety and as a result couldn’t fly, that’s what I would strive for. I would try to find a family member that could drive me down to Missouri (and of course drive me back). I know that’s a big ask and probably not too practical but it is an option.
I wish you well and I hope you’re able to overcome your anxiety so you can go visit your family!
God Bless,
Travis
Hi Travis,
Thank you for allowing us to post our experiences and comments .I have gotten my first and second Covid vaccine but I will not get the booster. I was very sick with the second shot and my a fib has increased since the vaccine. It might be coincidental…. the only one that knows is the Lord. Everyone has their own opinion and really it’s a personal choice. What’s good for one may not be good for another. I respect everybody’s beliefs whether they want the vaccine or they don’t. I appreciate you allowing everybody to vent on their opinion but nobody should put anybody down for their beliefs. Thank God for you please keep on coming back. I haven’t enjoyed your posts for many years .God bless you and be safe.
Diana:
Thanks for your kind words. I echo your comments completely! It’s a personal choice and what’s good for one person may not be good for another. I too respect everyone’s beliefs and choices.
I hope your afib settles down and I hope you stay COVID free as well!!
God Bless,
Travis
p.s. A calm and well stated article (with excellent graphs) on people who have been vaxxed/not vaxxed and the rates of serious illness:
https://ourworldindata.org/covid-deaths-by-vaccination
An aside – From what I’ve read on a couple credible sites, it may be that those of us on certain prescription meds (e.g. AFib meds) cannot be given antivirals.
Thanks for the link, Helen!
Travis
Ouch. I read your COVID comments, Travis, as I generally read your remarks. We certainly ARE all entitled to our opinion. But when our opinion is relatively influential, it’s important to be sure it is solidly based in facts, not feelings. Obviously this means I was taken back by your thoughts on COVID vaccines. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for influencing anyone else against them – Afibbers or otherwise. You are young, healthy, and fit. So was my daughter’s 50 year old, healthy, fit brother-in-law – who was unvaccinated and is now dead from COVID. Nobody could have predicted that. My kids are 51 and 52 and, like my husband and me, have had both vaccine doses and two boosters. They take this virus seriously. It has not been an extreme hardship for any of us to deal with the temporary discomfort of masking (we have used surgical masks or KN95s – not cloth masks, as we were aware that cloth masks are less effective). It has been as important to all of us to protect others as much as we protect ourselves. So while this whole episode was less than business as usual, we’ve done what we could to keep ourselves from catching or spreading the thing. My episodic Afib, before it was diagnosed and treated, was miserably symptomatic. The first treatment plan I was offered was medications, with an ablation if meds weren’t successful. I’ve been on Eliquis and flecainide, which is augmented by the beta blocker I was already taking for hypertension. The flecainide has virtually eliminated my Afib, which was significant. It may not work forever, but it works now. Neither the two Pfizer vaccines nor the first or second booster triggered an arrhythmia at all. If a third vaccine is ultimately recommended, I’ll get it. I’ve lost two unvaccinated friends to COVID, along with that young brother-in-law of my daughter’s. Nobody I know who’s been vaccinated has been seriously sick with COVID, let alone killed by it. I believe the science.
Correction: My vaccines were Moderna, not Pfizer. I was listening to a news report about kids getting Pfizer vaccines as I was typing my comment and oopsy!
Janet:
I’m humbled that you might think I have any influence. I assure you I have NONE! I’m just a guy with a blog that had afib (and hopes it never returns). I am the least influential person in the world of atrial fibrillation! The only thing I bring to the table is my own experience with afib and my own experience having had an ablation. That’s it. My whole blog more or less centers around those two things.
I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s brother-in-law. But that still doesn’t change anything. Healthy, fit 50 year olds die from all kinds of things – cancer, stroke, car accidents, etc. I don’t base my medical decisions on such outliers. It’s rare for healthy, fit 50 year olds to die from COVID. Does it happen? Yes, obviously. Is it the norm? No.
Glad to hear your afib is under control with meds. That’s awesome! I wish you many more years of controlled afib!
God Bless,
Travis
I take eliquis daily to prevent blood clots. The covid shots are known to cause blood clots which can cause heart and brain problems. Seems to me that it is better to take the meds which I have for some years rather than trust the experimental shots which started out as a once a year thing and escalated to limitless booster shots. I only wore a mask where required and social distancing when required. I take quite a few vitimens and keep my weight in check by not overeating and getting much exercise with walking and doing daily chores around our house and acreage. Husband the same. Both healthy and no covid. We have always stayed to ourselves during flue season and kept busy with a number of interests and reading .
Ruth:
Thanks for your comments Ruth. Glad to hear you and your husband have stayed healthy and COVID free during this pandemic. It sounds like what you’re doing is working!
God Bless,
Travis
In 2014, I had. Aflutter which was taken care by an Ablation.
That cured my problem and had no other bouts with it until it appeared in12/19.
I contacted Covid that put me in the hospital for 7 days with 2 of these in ICU.
During my stay in the hospital, I was told that I had Afib several times.
I recovered very well from Covid with no real serious issues accept that I will have Afib bouts that last no longer than an hour 2-3 times a month.
I don’t believe that they are real severe, but I am being monitored by my heart specialist.
I had one Johnson vaccine and boaster – with no after effects.
The Covid attack on my body started the Afib again.
I am not sure that I will get another vaccine.
I have a friend that took a boaster shot and now has Afib.
Warren:
Interesting comments. Thanks for sharing! Two days in the ICU? Wow, you really had a rough go of it. Glad to hear you recovered so well from COVID despite the ICU stay. Scary stuff for sure.
Are you saying that your friend had no history of afib but now has it after the booster? Again, I wonder if there is causation there or if it’s just coincidence.
That’s the thing with all this, it’s so hard to know. Hopefully someday we’ll have some robust studies to see just how safe these vaccines are and what the “real” potential side effects are. It seems the only conclusive potential side effect so far is myocarditis, particularly among younger individuals.
Travis
Thank you, Travis, for providing this forum. I was (still am) very worried about getting COVID because I am 75 and have many health issues that would put me at high risk for dangerous COVID complications. Even though I am old and not in the greatest health, I still enjoy life and would not like it to end before my time. So I made sure to get myself fully vaccinated and boosted. I’ve had 4 shots now and no problems, no regrets. It did not seem to affect my afib in any way. I believe that a lot of people died needlessly because they refused to get vaccinated. Johns Hopkins recently published a study that estimated approximately 319,000 lives could have been saved in the U.S. if those people had just been vaccinated. But getting vaccinated is not only about one’s own health. It’s about the greater good, the health of the society. We could have prevented the predicament we find ourselves in now — an unprecedented pandemic virus that is constantly and rapidly mutating, and is never going away. Seems like every day there’s a new variant that’s more contagious than the previous one. And even if you’ve already had COVID, that will not necessarily protect you from getting it again from a new variant. Because of all the anti-vaxxers, fake news spreaders, wacko conspiracy theories and the politicizing of what should have been purely a public health issue, we tragically missed the one opportunity we had to get COVID under control. Many people refused to get vaccinated because they believed themselves to be invulnerable. A lot of those people are no longer with us, sad to say. At the end, many of them begged their doctors for the vaccine, but of course, by then it was much too late. If many more of us had gotten vaccinated, they could have helped to stop the uncontrolled spread of this pandemic and protect others who are more vulnerable than themselves. They could have done their part to help prevent the social and economic repercussions of the pandemic too — the lost jobs, the shuttered businesses, the soaring crime rates, the supply chain disruptions, the shortages, the disruption of our children’s educations — all the inevitable consequences stemming from the never-ending pandemic. Sadly, too many people thought only of themselves. Now many are acting like the pandemic is over, just because they want it to be. But it doesn’t work that way. There will be more surges, more disruptions, more deaths. Pandora’s box has cracked wide open. But the real tragedy is, it didn’t have to be this bad. We were thrown a life buoy, but we didn’t grab on.
Dormine:
I’m glad to hear the vaccines and boosters haven’t impacted your afib in any way. That’s terrific!
However, I really cringe at your comment when you say, “it’s about the greater good, the health of the society.” It actually makes my skin crawl. It’s a bit Orwellian to me. If you look back at history, a lot of horrific things have come about as a result of the “greater good.”
I also disagree with your comments that this “could have prevented the predicament we find ourselves in now…” A virus does what a virus does. You can’t stop it from mutating no matter what you do. In fact, there is an argument that endless rounds of vaccines and boosters is the cause of the constant mutations. That’s why viruses mutate. It’s a survival mechanism. With each booster that comes along, the virus mutates to try to get around the booser and survive. That’s what I’ve read anyway. As they say, “the virus is going to do what the virus is going to do.” NOTHING we did, or do, will stop a virus from doing what it does, in my opinion.
I would also argue all the repercussions you highlighted were the result of our RESPONSE to COVID, not COVID itself. In short, we over reacted. The endless lockdowns and mandates were totally unnecessary.
I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree. No harm. I wish you well nonetheless and I appreciate your comments!
God Bless,
Travis
I just recently (5 days ago) had an ablation and for the 1st time have had no Afib since being diagnosed a little over a year ago, but my cardio guy suspects that I probably developed while going through my recovery. I’m also almost 3 yrs cancer-free from pancreatic cancer and I’m 71 (almost 72) so it was recommended for me to get the vaccination. I wasn’t necessarily afraid of catching the virus…I like you have been pretty lucky with a good immune system most of my life and only had the flu once (the Hong Kong) in the late 60’s after going through chemo for uterine cancer…so obviously a weakened immune system. Until my cancer surgery, I had never gotten a flu shot but had to get one, as well as pneumonia and one other one prior to surgery and had no side effects but a sore arm. So, when the the vaccines came out I still had a pretty compromised immune system and glad that I had the opportunity to boost it up and help my body out a bit. Unlike you, I don’t mind the masks…even if it just makes others feel safer but I’m a rule follower by nature. As far as any side effects with the vaccines, (all were Moderna) my first shot I slept for 2 days and had a low grade fever and sore arm but I took that as a good indicator that my body was having to work hard creating some immunities because of my compromised status, the 2nd vaccine & 1st booster I had no side effects…my last booster I had similar side effects as my 1st vaccine but again I figured it was again my body having to work a little harder with my Afib situation (I never had a sinus rhythm reading from the moment I was diagnosed so a for a long time it just stayed in Afib, so my heart was working hard and I was exhausted all the time). The good…no GREAT news is that since my ablation that fatigue I’ve had for nearly 3 yrs is gone and I’m so excited to begin to truly recover from all this poor old body has gone through.
Karen:
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Congratulations on being cancer free for 3 years and for finally having some relief from your afib. That’s terrific! Also glad to hear your vaccines and boosters haven’t had any negative impact on your afib or overall health!
God Bless,
Travis
Hi there, I had my first A fib episode right after I retired. I was a Registered Nurse, in the Charge Nurse Position for 20 years in the Emergency Department., then Nurse Manager in a busy Day Surgery Unit for 17 years. 37 years all told. I had even been trained to use the paddles to “shock” a patient who was in asystole. ( without a heart beat). I retired when my first Grandchild was born so I could help my daughter. You’d think I would have known that my arrhythmia was a-fib but I didn’t. I was terrified! I Thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. It took three failed attempts to “cardiovert” me but they did manage to slow my heart rate to a level that was safe for me to go home.
On the topic of vaccines… I have had 4 vaccines now to prevent Covid19 and never had any negative reaction other than a slightly sore arm for a couple of days. I’ve only just recently stopped wearing a mask. I was never ill, nor did I have any adverse affects nor spike in A-fib episodes. In fact my episodes are less common than ever these last several months. I hope you find my history somewhat helpful.
Suzanne:
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Glad to hear your vaccines have had zero impact on your afib. Also glad to hear you’ve managed to stay COVID-free!
God Bless,
Travis
P.S. Thank you for your 37 years of service as a nurse. I don’t think doctors and nurses get thanked enough for their service – especially during the pandemic!
I have been in permanent afib since 2014. I am 68 years old so consider my age and the fact of having afib to be co-morbidities requiring extra caution when dealing with the threat of covid. My doctor felt the same way. But even if this wasn’t the case, I would have happily gotten vaccinated and boosted plus worn a mask and socially distanced. I think it’s our civic duty to protect each other as much as possible. I believe in science. I continue to wear an N95 or surgical mask on all indoor settings except my own home. I had the two Phizer shots with little side effects plus have been boosted twice. My Afib was not affected at at all.
Liz:
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Glad to hear your vaccines haven’t had any impact on your afib!
God Bless,
Travis
You are misinformed and a scare-mongger. What are your credentials to claim to be an expert on Covid vaccines and Atrial Fib. Annecdotal stories are not evidence. Don’t waste my time.
John,
I don’t think he claims to be an expert on either, he was just wanting a forum for everyone to comment and share their experiences, which I find helpful at times, and thankful a lot of the time that I’m not as skeptical or fearful as some are….but we since you’re a doc…it would’ve been helpful for you to share your story how it relates to you, at least I know I would like to hear it.
Dr. Rasmusen:
If you really are a doctor, and I assume that you are, it would be great if you could share your knowledge with us. As a doctor, I trust you have evidence, data, etc. to show that COVID vaccines are totally safe and effective. It would be great if you could share your knowledge or provide links to various resources.
I clearly stated in my blog post that it is my OPINION and that it might be totally wrong, or as you say, misinformed. Also, how am I being a scare-monger???? How is sharing my experience and thoughts and asking others to share their experience and thoughts, scare mongering? I don’t understand.
I have no credentials nor do I claim to be an expert on COVID vaccines and afib…lol. I also don’t claim that anecdotal stories are evidence of anything.
I’m also puzzled as to why my post would make you so angry, but each to his own. I wish you well!
God Bless,
Travis
P.S. If you really are a doctor, I thank you as well for your service, especially during a pandemic!
Hi Travis, You already know how I love to write and I’ve previously told you how I’ve have appreciated your AFib teachings. I’ve been so grateful to you.
This is where I have to say, however, that as a retired RegN, BScN I disagree with parts of your take (and replies) on Covid prevention and vaccines. It wud take me hours and hours to fully and intelligently express my views (with background data and graphs) on some of the opinions you’ve expressed.
BTW – I wholeheartedly agree with what Donald Krstich said,
I’m guessing that people really trust what you say, Travis. And you have certainly earned that. Yet I believe that whenever any of us are in a highly trusted public position of any kind that it’s especially important that we teach/speak with expert knowledge about a topic vs giving personal opinions.
Frankly, you were lucky. Far too many were not. None who died thought it wud ever happen to them. IMO, only an Infectious Disease Specialist, or a nurse or a physician who has worked in the ICU with C19 patients are pretty much the only ones whom we shud heed for medical advice on vaccines, immunity, and protection etc. Not politicians. And not any of the rest of us who are unqualified educationally and experientially.
I’ve recently read The PREMONITION: A Pandemic Story by Michael Lewis. A fascinating and very well written tale on the pandemic and how it was handled and who some of the true (and unsung) heroes were. BTW – people can relax :) – it barely mentions ANY politicians.
From everything I’ve read as a nurse (in credible and well respected sites) who has Paroxysmal AFib, COVID-19 spells a serious risk for those of us with AFib: “… study found that patients with a history of atrial fibrillation who have COVID-19 illness are not only more likely to need hospitalization, ICU and ventilator support, but nearly 62% more likely to suffer a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart failure hospitalization, and 40% more likely to die than …”
I’m 81, in good health. I’ve had 2 vaccines plus 2 boosters. Nothing, but a slightly sore arm for a day or 2. And no infections, thankfully. I still wear a good mask whenever I shop. All this makes me remember a meme I saw 2 years ago – if we were offered a candy dish that held 100 candies, but were warned that 3 were poisoned, wud we still take a candy?
Stay well everyone! Sincerely, Helen (Canada).
Helen:
People shouldn’t trust anything I say because I’m not a doctor or an expert of any kind. I’m just a guy that had afib once (and hopes it never returns) and writes his thoughts and opinions on a blog. I’m nothing more or less.
But even if I was a doctor or an expert, nobody should trust anything any one doctor or expert says. We should all do our own research and due diligence, but I digress.
To answer your meme, it depends. How bad is the poison? Will I just get sick or will I die for sure? If it’s the latter, then no, I wouldn’t eat any of the candies. If it was the former, then for sure I would eat a few:) I get what the meme is trying to say but it really doesn’t apply. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this topic. No biggie.
Good to hear from you and glad you’re doing well. Keep in touch!
God Bless,
Travis
Im 69, no health issues except a fib and obesity. I did get the vaccines and booster. I followed the social distancing and masked when required. Im a retired RN so masking was a normal part if my job. I didnt worry as much about covid but didnt want to end up in a hospital alone. Thankfully covid hasnt knocked on my door as far as I know. I respect everyones opinions re covid as all the info and handling of the pandemic has led to much confusion. People just need to do or not do what they feel is best.
Lou:
You nailed it: “People just need to do or not do what they feel is best.” Thanks for your comments!
God Bless,
Travis
Just a few thoughts since I have had AFib and the ablation process and all the shots. I read most of the comments different individuals made and the most striking similarity was how they wanted to be convinced not to take the vaccine. Comments like I receive my knowledge from a trusted individual is a very slippery slope.
My honest feeling and belief is hundreds of thousands of people died unnecessarily because they never took the time to take the vaccines or were totally against the vaccines. I am certainly glad that none of those Individuals who commented had Covid or knew people close to them experience Covid in which they were forever damaged or passed away.
Your choice is your choice. One thing for sure is that we are all compromised individuals and my direction is to make every effort to not get Covid. Of all the deaths attributed to Covid, after the vaccine was available, more than 80% of the severe cases happened because no vaccine was taken.
I wish you all well. Stay Safe!
Well put, Donald. Thank you.
Just sharing my own thoughts right now.
Helen.
Donald:
Thanks for your comments Donald. I trust you had a successful ablation and that all is well on the afib front. Glad to hear the vaccines and boosters are working well for you.
God Bless,
Travis
Hi Travis.
Nice to see you back!
After the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine ..I developed tinnitus! Sorry I ever went for the extra dose. It has become louder, unfortunately. Nothing can be done for it. Many victims have complained of the same side effect. Pfizer, of course, denies it is from their vaccine. Hmmm,. No more boosters for me!!! Never noticed any changes in my heart.
Marie:
So sorry to hear about your tinnitus. That would drive me crazy. I hope it goes away soon!
I’ve read that is one of the “common” potential side effects of the vaccines. I wonder why that would be if it’s true?
Either way, I hope it goes away for you because I can imagine it isn’t fun!
Glad to here it hasn’t impacted your heart at all.
God Bless,
Travis
Take me off your mailing list. I have heard enough.
Mary:
Interesting response to a simple blog post but I respect it nonetheless. You are free to unsubscribe to my email list anytime. Just click on the “unsubscribe” link found in the email you received from me and you’ll be removed from my list immediately.
I wish you well Mary!
Travis
No vaccine, no masks, no safe distancing, no worries.
I take quercetin, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, lysine, lactoferrin, and sunflower lecithin, in sufficient quantities to make me immune (or at least highly resistant) to Covid.
I had ablation in 2019, after 5 cardioversions. I occasionally get A-fib for a few seconds-minutes, when I am extremely fatigued, but otherwise no. I will NOT get vaccinated under any circumstances, so I can’t comment on any correlation between that and A-fib.
Q.
Thanks for your comments. I haven’t heard of lysine, lactoferrin or sunflower lecithin as immune boosters. I’ll have to look into those. I take plenty of the others you take though – quercetin, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D. Like I said in my blog post, I haven’t even had a cold in probably ten years or more, let alone an illness of any kind. I test my vitamin D levels every month and they are really high. I personally attribute my “immune health” to vitamin D and vitamin C but who really knows if they really help or not. I could just be lucky:)
God Bless,
Travis
When I consult with my EP from UCSF in San Francisco he is saying that the COVID vaccines seems to be creating more palpitations in patients. This does not seem like a coincidental correlation. I’d be curious if any other of your readers EP’s are telling them the same.
Hi Matt– your thought on how the vaccine might affect the heart is exactly what I have heard as well from some alternative medical and science folks. I never would have gotten any of it except that I travel this year internationally and want to see more of the world I have missed these last few years!! One of my sisters who did not get the vaccine gets quarterly CT scans due to other things and the first few the nurse asked her when she had COVID. She had no symptoms ever but the nurse explained that there is a marker in your lungs if you have had it. What I am learning is that The booster is what causes the most concern as it did double duty past the original mix in the vaccine. The CDC has data gathered on post vaccine issues on deaths, heart attacks etc. . From what I understand one of the things The vaccine causes your red blood cells to become sticky I was told and so that needs to be addressed. My RBC was on the very low end the last 2 times blood work was done when I went to ER with chest pains and irregular hear rhythms. That had started in mid January prior to the booster and then did not change much until recently. Of course most Doctors don’t get into this type of thing for how to heal post vaccine. The protocol contains high levels of Vit C, Vit D, Zinc and some blood vessel nutrients plus higher levels of vitamins, etc, to neutralize the inflammation, overactivity of the immune system and keep a healthy gut.
Carol:
Always great to hear from you. I hope all is well!
Thanks for sharing your insight on how to combat inflammation. I am curious what you mean by “blood vessel nutrients.” Are you referring to natto by chance?
God Bless,
Travis
I had the Covid booster early in November of 2021 with no early side effects except a sore arm which I had from first two vaccines. About ten days after the booster I had an AFib episode after not having one for nearly two years. My history is , AFib started in 2005 with episodes about 4 times a year and then in 2007i also began having flutter as well. In 2008 I had the flutter successfully ablated and in 2018 I had an AFib ablation which worked for about 6 months. I was then put back on a low dose of flecanaide which basically worked with rare events,
After the booster the episodes were coming everyday and lasting over 20 hours plus I developed pvcs as picked up on a monitor my EP prescribed. I felt awful so my EP increased my flecanaide from 100 mgs daily to 200 mgs and then I experienced even more pvcs,. My EP strongly believes that the booster caused this cycle. My flecanaide was lowered back to 100 mgs daily because I was so dizzy from the increased dosage. The episodes and pvcs continued until January and now happy to say no more episodes. I really have to blame the booster and for sure won’t risk another. I haven’t had Covid by the way,! I hope more people will comment as I believe it’s important for all of us to share our experiences ,
Linda
Linda:
Sorry to hear that the booster may have caused an increase in our afib and PVCs. That stinks. Glad to hear everything has settled down now.
Like I said in my other comment, afib and PVCs don’t like inflammation so if these vaccines and boosters do cause inflammation (temporarily or permanently), I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that as a result, some people with afib and PVCs may see an increase in their episodes. It will be interesting to see if any studies in the future flush this potential correlation out.
I wish you good health!
God Bless,
Travis
Matt:
That’s interesting. Based on the comments left here so far, it doesn’t seem to be the norm but who knows. As someone that has suffered on and off from palpitations, the very fact that vaccines *might* increase palpitations gives me pause. Although, that was NOT my primary reason for not getting fully vaccinated.
God Bless,
Travis
Hi Travis-
Thanks for broaching this subject. I too was shocked that afibbers.org, a site that historically has been science based, is shutting down a very scientific discussion. I got covid 3 days before my scheduled vaccine and at this point feel confident I dodged a bullet. I waited the 3 months advised at the time- read a ton of medical studies and listened to some trusted authorities on these vaccines and decided that having had covid the risk reward analysis didn’t warrant my getting it at that point. I’ve spoken to people who believe they developed AFIB from the vaccine, and it’s well known to cause tachycardia in some. For me, anything that might cause arrhythmia does- even topical rogaine. I’ve now had covid twice and it was extremely mild for me both times. I’d much prefer getting covid again than risk ruining my ablation. My AFIB was highly symptomatic and miserable- much worse than covid. I did feel my heart rate a bit higher for one night during covid- but truthfully that could have been the anxiety having the dreaded virus caused rather than the virus itself- who knows? I am more confident of this decision as each day passes and more data is amassed. I’m highly educated and have gotten many other vaccines for third world travel- this isn’t a one sided political issue but a matter of doing your research and deciding what is best for you personally. When I saw your post last week I wondered if your recent blips might be from the vaccine- do you think they might be? I’m hoping it settles down for you again and you are feeling better.
Tracy:
Thanks for your comments. Glad to hear COVID didn’t mess with your heart! And glad to hear your experience with COVID was mild. Everything I’ve read seems to indicate the antibodies you get from natural infection far out weigh what you get from the vaccine so you should be “good to go.” I know if I were in your shoes I wouldn’t get the vaccine. You’re about as protected as you can be it seems.
I don’t attribute my recent “blips” to the vaccine at all. My “blips” started before I got the one jab. They come and go and the vaccine doesn’t seem to have any affect so far (knock on wood).
Travis
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