Swiss Olympic sprinter gets pericarditis after Pfizer’s COVID booster

In a Jan. 17 social media post, swiss Olympic sprinter Sarah Atcho, a Black woman, said she is experiencing pericarditis after receiving a Pfizer booster shot.

On Dec. 22, Atcho received a booster because she “didn’t want to struggle with this when the season started” and was told it was safer to get Pfizer — even though she had Moderna the first time — to avoid cardiac side effects.

On Dec. 27, Atcho said she started experiencing tightness in her chest and felt dizzy while walking. A cardiologist diagnosed Atcho with pericarditis — inflammation of the thin membrane that surrounds the heart.

Atcho is not allowed to get her heart rate up for several weeks to allow her heart to rest and heal from the inflammation. Said she is upset nobody talks about the “heavy side-effects” young and healthy people are experiencing after receiving COVID vaccines. [MORE]

“I was told that it was safer to get Pfizer to avoid cardiac side effects,” she wrote.

“On December 27 I felt a tightness in the chest and started feeling dizzy while walking up the stairs. This happened a few more times until I decided to check with a cardiologist who diagnosed me with pericarditis (inflammation of the thin membrane surrounding the heart). I am now not allowed to get my heart rate up for a few weeks to allow my heart to rest and heal from the inflammation.” [MORE]