“Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Expert: Heart and breathing related problems?”
I would appreciate some insight from a doctor with expert knowledge on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. I had my first dose of the vaccine on Friday 11th June 2021.
On the following day (Saturday 12th June) I experienced a period of unusual heart palpitations (raised heart rate and strong beating feeling in my chest) lasting about 10 minutes with feelings residing the rest of the day.
The following Saturday (19th June) I experienced another episode of heart palpitations lasting approx the same length of time.
Since then, I have been experiencing periods of tightness in my chest and feelings of not being able to breathe properly. Nothing too severe but enough for me to feel uncomfortable and worry about it.
I have also been experiencing strange 'jolt' feelings in my chest that I originally thought was my heart but now I am not sure. I can't work out whether it's my heart or it's just psychological, but it 'jolts' me awake and can happen several times while trying to fall asleep.
On the 27th June, I experienced the same tightness in my chest while travelling on a train and it ended in me having what I think was a panic attack (very high heart rate, numb arms, my hands in 'the claw', and feelings of dizziness). A paramedic did my vitals and said everything seemed to be normal (ECG, blood pressure, blood oxygen, etc).
I have never experienced this kind of symptoms before, so this is all very strange and worrying for me. I understand that a lot of what I have experienced could be linked to anxiety, but again, I have never had things like this before.
My concern is that these symptoms started happening the day after I had the Moderna vaccine and I know that there are some (very rare) reports of heart-related problems (pericarditis & myocarditis) with the Moderna vaccine.
My questions are:
1. Should I be worried?
2. Can I ask my GP to run any specific tests to check for this, and what are they?
3. Should I get the second dose of the vaccine?
4. Is this likely to just be anxiety?
5. Any other knowledge or advice you can give?
Many thanks in advance - any information is much appreciated.
On the following day (Saturday 12th June) I experienced a period of unusual heart palpitations (raised heart rate and strong beating feeling in my chest) lasting about 10 minutes with feelings residing the rest of the day.
The following Saturday (19th June) I experienced another episode of heart palpitations lasting approx the same length of time.
Since then, I have been experiencing periods of tightness in my chest and feelings of not being able to breathe properly. Nothing too severe but enough for me to feel uncomfortable and worry about it.
I have also been experiencing strange 'jolt' feelings in my chest that I originally thought was my heart but now I am not sure. I can't work out whether it's my heart or it's just psychological, but it 'jolts' me awake and can happen several times while trying to fall asleep.
On the 27th June, I experienced the same tightness in my chest while travelling on a train and it ended in me having what I think was a panic attack (very high heart rate, numb arms, my hands in 'the claw', and feelings of dizziness). A paramedic did my vitals and said everything seemed to be normal (ECG, blood pressure, blood oxygen, etc).
I have never experienced this kind of symptoms before, so this is all very strange and worrying for me. I understand that a lot of what I have experienced could be linked to anxiety, but again, I have never had things like this before.
My concern is that these symptoms started happening the day after I had the Moderna vaccine and I know that there are some (very rare) reports of heart-related problems (pericarditis & myocarditis) with the Moderna vaccine.
My questions are:
1. Should I be worried?
2. Can I ask my GP to run any specific tests to check for this, and what are they?
3. Should I get the second dose of the vaccine?
4. Is this likely to just be anxiety?
5. Any other knowledge or advice you can give?
Many thanks in advance - any information is much appreciated.
Male | 27 years old
Complaint duration: 1 month
1 Answer
It is very unlikely that your symptoms are a result of the vaccine. This sounds more like a panic attack. The pericarditis and myocarditis are rare complications, and do not present with symptoms like yours. Listening to all the false information about the vaccine, can lead to panic symptoms. These vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe Covid disease. If you really want to be checked, you can get an EKG from your primary physician. Vaccines are not new, I'm sure you received the vaccines for all the childhood diseases, before you started school. The Moderna vaccine is a messenger Rna vaccine. There is no virus in it. It tells your immune system to fight off the virus. Allergic reactions are very rare. You should get the second shot to be fully immunized. It takes about 2 weeks after the shot to have full immunity.
