I am not a cardiologist.
Your previous mitral valve surgery may be the reason for continued therapy with a blood thinner.
Cardioversion therapy may be very dependent on the specific type of arrhythmia (source), as well as your overall health, age, other conditions.
Not sure about Joe, his underlying condition, and therapy.
The vax, if causing myocardial damage, could cause afib by directly effecting the heart muscle. Clots outside of the heart, by blocking flow, would require the heart to work harder to deliver the same amount of blood; this additional stress could cause afib and other irregular heart rhythms.
Thanks.
My afib cleared up quickly after my surgery 12 years ago. I just started running and it went away. My cardiac electrophysiologist was very disappointed - he was already talking about a pacemaker!
I continued running since then and never had a problem. Suddenly 3 months ago afib returned.
I’m double shotted and boosted.