Covid and the heart, a warning!

Do not be complacent! In spite of double vaccination against Covid (Pfizer) and known to have antibodies from the vaccination, Four weeks ago I  caught Covid (thanks to an immuno-suppressed  heart transplant mate that I play table-tennis with, socially distanced by the length of the table). The Covid was mild - like having hay-fever with a tickly cough for 2 weeks. I was able to go out and  do the gardening within 48 hours.   It has left me with continuing  new onset  ATRIAL FLUTTER and loss of taste and smell.

Covid is known to cause heart muscle inflammation. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7199677/) and subsequent arrhythmias ( perhaps in up to 7% of patients, and over 40% of those needing to go to intensive care).

I know of many people that have been double vaccinated against Covid that have now had Covid-19 ( 75% of adult Brits. are double vaccinated).YOU ARE NOT SAFE.  I have noted a general relaxation of social distancing, and  mask wearing in England.

I am now waiting to see a specialist  whether I need another cardioversion  and another flutter ablation. Can't say I am thrilled at the prospect!  

Keep safe.

 

 

5 Comments

Thanks Selwyn

by IAN MC - 2021-08-12 12:19:23

I think your warning is very timely as the UK is currently relaxing its anti-Covid precautions.

Like you I had a successful flutter ablation a few years ago which put me back into normal sinus rhythm. Although the ablation was no big deal I would rather avoid having another one if possible............ now where did I put that mask ?.... and, no, I don't want to play table tennis with your friend !

Sorry to hear that you have "anosmia" ( loss of sense of smell ) among your  symptoms as , interestingy, I lost my sense of smell 10 yrs ago following  a respiratory virus. It has never returned unfortunately and I am now wondering if the virus  I had was similar to Covid in its effects !

Hope you don't have any long-lasting effects.

Ian

FWIW

by AgentX86 - 2021-08-12 13:28:41

Covid-19 is, of course, is in a class of viruses called "corona" virusues, which include the common cold and the virus that caused the 2003 SARS pandemic. Corona viruses are rarely dangerous to humans (on a large scale) with the obvious excepyion os SARS and Covid-19 but they are all around us. It's not unreasonable to believe that other corona viruses can cause the loss of taste and smell, as well as Covid-19.

Surgical/N95 masks appear to work, if worn properly. A rag across the face will do nothing, and can be worse than nothing (a breeding ground for all sorts of things). If you're truely worried, find a supply os N95 (KN95 masks are suspect) masks, learn how to wear them, and change them regularly, as do medical staff.

No, I'm not going to cower in my bedroom, never did. I've been somewhat cautious but gone about life. I'm certainly not wishing for it but there is a middle ground. I'm not in the least bit worried about this latest wave. I'm sorry that you were one of the breakout cases but I have a life to live and it's not going to be in constant fear.  I've been 80% back to "normal" since July of '20 and 95% since February.

I've been working mostly from home (the 5%) since March of '20. We had restricted on-site access, for critical employees, so for a while I worked on-site three days a week beacuse I needed lab equipment. I've only been on-site a day here and there since the begining of the year. My employer just opened with unrestricted access (for vaccinated employees and visitors - no vaccine passport required) but we're allowed to work from home until October. After that, it's up to direct management. If you job can be done remotely, no problem (but we can't move out of the area without HR approval). Careful, certainly. Hiding under covers, no.

PMs and covid in the news

by Persephone - 2021-08-12 18:09:42

If you can't or don't want to open the link below, this Washington Post article is about a person (a public official) who is having a PM implanted soon, and states that the PM is needed due to damage from covid infection months earlier. This person is a young age and indicates no previous health issues.  I'm just sending the info as it seems potentially relevant to the discussion here.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/12/michelle-de-la-isla-pacemaker-covid-topeka-mayor/

COVID, and long haulers

by simonsimon - 2021-08-15 02:22:28

I almost definitely sure I got COVID Jan-Feb of 2020, I can detail the reasons if necessary 

But after being sick (no testing was done back then so it is an unconfirmed case)  I developed a 2nd degree heartblock, then had to have the PM inserted, developed Long Haul symproms and Pacemaker syndrome, recently a third lead was inserted and the device changed. So yes, COVID can be a nightmare, do whatever you can do to avoid it!

 

Long term effects

by Gotrhythm - 2021-08-18 13:11:28

Sorry you've been sick and are now experiencing after effects of Covid.

When I hear about children and young people who have Covid with little to no apparent illness, I wonder how many of them will find themselves needing a pacemaker in their later years.

I want to jerk a knot in those people who don't think children "don't get sick" and so don't need protection.

You know you're wired when...

Your device makes you win at the slot machines.

Member Quotes

My ICD/pacer is not a burden. I still play tennis and golf.