Health

Cyclist's heart block diagnosis highlights rare risks of Moderna vaccine

Friday, 9 May 2025 12:06AM UTC

Danielle Pieton's journey from cycling fitness to living with a permanent pacemaker after a severe reaction to the Moderna Covid vaccine raises concerns about post-vaccination cardiac side effects, underscoring the need for further research into long-term vaccine safety.

Cycling Fitness to Cardiac Care: The Struggles of a Post-Vaccine Life

Just a few years ago, Danielle Pieton was the epitome of health and vitality. A dedicated road cyclist, she had successfully transitioned to life in France, where she pursued her passion for cycling while running a budding business with her partner. However, the onset of 2022 would drastically alter her trajectory when she received the Moderna Covid vaccine, a decision that would plunge her into a profound health crisis.

Within hours of receiving the jab, Pieton began to experience intense chest pain and dizziness, symptoms that would lead to her hospitalisation and two weeks in intensive cardiac care. Diagnosed with complete heart block, she was left with a permanent pacemaker, a stark reminder of the unexpected toll the vaccine had taken on her well-being. "Just today my head felt like I was being injected with helium," she recounted, reflecting on how her life had transformed since receiving the vaccine.

Living with what she describes as Post Vaccine Syndrome (PVS), a condition for which no cure currently exists, Pieton struggles with a range of debilitating symptoms: fatigue, breathlessness, and constant dizziness. Speaking candidly, she stated, “There are days where I’m bedridden. I would just want to exit my body.” This sentiment, articulated by many who suffer from chronic post-vaccination conditions, underscores the profound impact that vaccine-related health issues can have on individuals’ lives.

While Pieton’s experience is harrowing, it underscores a growing conversation around the potential side effects associated with mRNA vaccines. Research from Yale University has indicated a newly identified syndrome, termed post-vaccination syndrome, which includes symptoms such as brain fog, tinnitus, and exercise intolerance, raising questions about the long-term effects of these vaccines. Experts are calling for further investigation to better understand the prevalence and risk factors associated with this condition.

In the backdrop of individual cases like Pieton's, wider studies indicate that while vaccine-related complications do exist, they tend to be less severe than those resulting from Covid infections themselves. For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that while myocarditis cases post-vaccination are concerning, they are less severe than those caused by actual Covid-19 infections. Specifically, only 5.7% of patients who experienced post-vaccination myocarditis faced cardiovascular complications within 18 months, compared to 12% for those recovering from Covid-induced myocarditis.

Additionally, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted a likely association between mRNA vaccines and rare cases of inflammation of the heart, particularly in younger males. However, they maintain that the protective benefits of vaccination far outweigh these risks, reiterating the importance of vaccination in preventing widespread illness and death.

The balancing act between public health needs and individual health outcomes has never been more complex. Thousands have recounted personal stories of health complications post-vaccination, leading to calls for enhanced monitoring and research into these adverse effects. As health authorities continue to assess the safety of vaccines, the stories of individuals like Danielle Pieton serve as a poignant reminder of the human experience underlying clinical data.

Pieton continues to adapt to her new reality in Séez, striving to reclaim her active lifestyle through activities like riding an e-bike. "I'm determined to live my best life and do as much as I can," she affirmed. Her journey reflects not only her resilience but also the broader implications of vaccine side effects as society seeks to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19 and its aftereffects.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14661063/Cyclist-Moderna-vaccine-left-wishing-dead-Covid.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2024/08/26/covid-19-les-myocardites-post-vaccination-sont-moins-severes-que-celles-liees-a-une-infection-par-le-virus_6295965_1650684.html - A study published in August 2024 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that post-vaccination myocarditis cases are less severe than those caused by COVID-19 infections. The research analyzed cases in France between December 2020 and June 2022, revealing that only 5.7% of patients with post-vaccination myocarditis experienced cardiovascular complications within 18 months, compared to 12% for those with myocarditis following a COVID-19 infection. These findings support the benefits of vaccination despite rare adverse effects.
https://time.com/6075691/covid-19-vaccines-heart-problems/ - In June 2021, the CDC reported a likely association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) and rare heart issues, particularly in younger individuals. Myocarditis and pericarditis, which involve inflammation of the heart and its lining, were observed more frequently in males under 30, especially after the second vaccine dose. Despite this, experts emphasized that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, and the conditions are typically mild and treatable.
https://time.com/7014886/covid-19-vaccine-heart-myocarditis/ - A recent study published in JAMA found that the risk of developing myocarditis after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is significantly lower than the risk associated with contracting the disease itself. The research analyzed individuals aged 12 to 49 who were hospitalized with myocarditis in France during mass vaccination campaigns from December 2020 to June 2022. The study suggests that the cardiac risks of vaccination are minimal compared to those of a COVID-19 infection.
https://www.axios.com/2021/06/23/cdc-association-rare-heart-inflammation-covid-19-vaccines - In June 2021, the CDC announced a likely association between rare heart inflammation and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, particularly in adolescents and young adults. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices noted that men under 30 are more frequently affected, especially following the second vaccine dose. Despite this, the CDC emphasized the clear benefits of vaccination for this age group, outweighing the risks, and planned to add warnings about this risk to vaccine information sheets.
https://bmccardiovascdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12872-021-02183-3 - A case report published in August 2021 in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders described a 22-year-old healthy male who developed perimyocarditis after receiving the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The patient presented with pleuritic chest pain three days post-vaccination, with elevated troponin levels and imaging findings consistent with perimyocarditis. The patient was treated with aspirin and colchicine, leading to marked improvement before discharge. This case highlights a rare adverse event associated with the Moderna vaccine.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2798866 - A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics in 2023 examined myopericarditis cases following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination among adolescents and young adults. The study found that the incidence of myopericarditis was higher in males after the second dose. While 15.6% of patients had left ventricular systolic dysfunction, only 1.3% had severe dysfunction. Late gadolinium enhancement was found in 87.2% of patients, and 23.2% required intensive care unit admission; however, no in-hospital mortality was observed.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative references events from 2022 but discusses ongoing health issues and recent research findings, indicating a mix of past and current information.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The quotes appear original and are directly attributed to Danielle Pieton. However, no older references to these exact quotes were found.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The Daily Mail is a known publication, but its reliability can vary depending on the topic. Caution is advised due to potential sensationalism.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about vaccine side effects are plausible given reported cases of myocarditis and other complications. However, the specific condition 'Post Vaccine Syndrome' lacks widespread recognition.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents a personal account of severe vaccine side effects, which is plausible but lacks full verification. The source is known but may not always be reliable, and the freshness of the information is mixed. Overall, the story raises important questions about vaccine safety but requires further investigation.

Moderna vaccine
Post Vaccine Syndrome
cardiac health
Covid-19 vaccines
myocarditis