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Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy. We need your help. More Info ### I would like to contribute One Time Monthly Yearly Join Now ![](\\" ![](\\" Bloggers stated on November 28, 2021 in a blog post: Heart complications are one symptom “listed” for the omicron variant and are being “used to cover up effects” of COVID-19 vaccines. ![\\"true\\"](\\" false/33efdb6633e5e2fdc2d4e2f63383a1e0.jpg.\\") ![\\"false\\"](\\" false.jpg\\") * Public Health * Facebook Fact-checks * Coronavirus * Bloggers ![\\"President](\\" President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 variant named omicron at the White House, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Washington, as Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases listens. (AP) ![\\"Tom](\\" By Tom Kertscher December 2, 2021 # Heart complications aren’t yet a ‘listed’ symptom of omicron variant #### If Your Time is short * Little is known about the omicron variant of the coronavirus, which was first reported in November, including its potential for causing serious disease. * A South Africa doctor credited as being among the first to detect the variant has described its symptoms as mild. * Heart complications are not a \"listed\" symptom of omicron. See the sources for this fact-check Very little is yet known about the omicron variant of the coronavirus, which was identified in November. Yet an article widely shared on Facebook claims that heart complications are reported as a \"listed\" symptom — and that what’s really going on is an attempt to cover up cardiac deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccines. The article was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) Heart complications are not a \"listed\" symptom of omicron. And we found no evidence to support the claim of a cover-up. It’s not yet known what potential omicron has to cause serious illness. The early reports about omicron are that its symptoms are mild. Heart complications associated with the COVID-19 vaccines are potentially serious, but rare. Explaining omicron The omicron variant rapidly overtook the previous reigning variant, delta, in parts of southern Africa in November. As we’ve reported, it will take a few weeks to know for sure whether omicron is significantly more transmissible and whether it causes worse illness. On Nov. 28, two days after declaring omicron a \"variant of concern,\" the World Health Organization said that \"the likelihood of potential further spread of omicron at the global level is high,\" but that there are \"considerable uncertainties.\" Those uncertainties include \"how well vaccines protect against infection, transmission, clinical disease of different degrees of severity and death; and does the variant present with a different severity profile.\" The U.S. government made its \"variant of concern\" declaration on Nov. 30. On Dec. 1, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the first U.S. omicron case was identified in California in a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22. The person was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, the agency said. The article’s claims The article we’re checking appears on a website called Alberta Nationals, which offers anti-vaccine content. The headline is: \"Symptoms of the Omicron Variant Used To Cover Up Effects of Covid Vaccines.\" The article goes on to claim that \"one of the symptoms listed\" for omicron is \"heart-related complications,\" including heart failure, arrhythmias, heart inflammation and blood clots. \"This happens to be one of the primary negative effects of the COVID vaccines among men especially, which has led to a five-fold increase in sudden and unexplained cardiac deaths in FIFA (soccer) players in 2021. … It looks like bureaucrats are already using the omicron variant to disguise the rapid increase in sudden and unexplained cardiac deaths in the vaccinated, just as they did with the delta variant,\" the article states. We’ve fact-checked similar claims about athletes experiencing cardiac symptoms because of the vaccine and found them unsupported. #### Featured Fact-check ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on September 17, 2024 in an Instagram post CDC warns a third of adults may die from dangerous bacteria in ramen noodles. ![\\"true\\"](\\" false/33efdb6633e5e2fdc2d4e2f63383a1e0.jpg.\\") ![\\"false\\"](\\" false.jpg\\") By Jeff Cercone • September 18, 2024 No reports of omicron and heart complications Dr. Angelique Coetzee of South Africa, who is credited as being among the first physicians to discover the omicron variant, has said in news interviews that its symptoms are mild. Coetzee told CNN that extreme fatigue is the primary symptom and that other symptoms include a scratchy throat and a dry cough. She told Reuters the symptoms could be treated at home. She told The Telegraph that symptoms in patients she treated with the new variant \"were so different and so mild from those I had treated before,\" though she was worried it could hit unvaccinated older people with illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease much harder. She made no mention of omicron causing heart problems. We weren’t able to reach her. Too early to know much Other experts say it’s too early to fully understand the symptoms or severity of infection from the omicron variant. Ben Cowling, an epidemiologist at the University of Hong Kong, said in a National Geographic interview: \"There\'s not enough information available yet to make a conclusion about the severity of omicron in comparison to other variants.\" Dr. Matthew Laurens of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, reiterated how little is known about omicron. \"We are still in the very early stages of characterizing the omicron variant. I have not yet seen reports of cardiac complications associated with omicron,\" he told PolitiFact. \"At the same time, we know that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with cardiac complications including myocarditis, and this is consistent with what many other viral infections can do. SARS-CoV-2 can also cause vascular inflammation and cardiac arrhythmias. I would expect that the omicron variant acts like other variants of SARS-CoV-2 regarding potential risk for cardiac complications.\" Heart problems and vaccines COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with certain heart problems, but these are rare. Cases of heart inflammation (myocarditis and pericarditis) have been reported after vaccination with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, according to the CDC. The CDC says that it’s actively monitoring reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, but that most patients who received care for these conditions \"responded well to medicine and rest and felt better quickly.\" Experts say that COVID-19 itself presents much more danger to the heart than vaccines do. Our ruling An article widely shared on Facebook claimed that heart complications are a \"listed\" symptom of the omicron variant of the coronavirus and are being \"used to cover up effects\" of COVID-19 vaccines. Heart complications are not a \"listed\" symptom of omicron. And we found no evidence to support the claim of a cover-up. Little is known about the variant, including its potential for causing serious disease. A South Africa doctor credited as being among the first to detect the variant has described its symptoms as mild. We rate the claim False. #### Read About Our Process The Principles of the Truth-O-Meter ### Our Sources Alberta Nationals, \"Symptoms of the Omicron Variant Used To Cover Up Effects of Covid Vaccines,\" Nov. 28, 2021 Email, Dr. Matthew Laurens of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dec. 1, 2021 National Geographic, \"Why you shouldn’t panic over the Omicron variant,\" Nov. 29, 2021 CNN, interview of Dr. Angelique Coetzee, Nov. 29, 2021 Reuters, \"S.African doctor says patients with Omicron variant have ‘very mild’ symptoms,\" Nov. 28, 2021 Reuters, \"Omicron poses very high global risk, world must prepare -WHO,\" Nov. 29, 2021 Reuters, \"Fact Check-The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is named after the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet,\" Nov. 30, 2021 Cardiovascular Business, \"Questions mount as the new Omicron variant continues to spread,\" Nov. 29, 2021 The Telegraph, \"South African doctor who raised alarm about omicron variant says symptoms are ‘unusual but mild,’\" Nov. 27, 2021 The Atlantic, \"We Know Almost Nothing About the Omicron Variant,\" Nov. 27, 2021 PolitiFact, \"Omicron and other coronavirus variants: What you need to know,\" Nov. 29, 2021 PolitiFact, \"There’s no proof COVID-19 vaccines are causing healthy athletes to collapse,\" Dec. 1, 2021 PolitiFact, \"Facebook posts get the details wrong about use of Moderna in Scandinavian countries,\" Nov. 4, 2021 PolitiFact, \"Dozens of prominent athletes did not die of heart attacks after COVID-19 vaccination,\" Nov. 19, 2021 World Health Organization, \"Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern,\" Nov. 26, 2021 World Health Organization, \"Enhancing Readiness for Omicron (B.1.1.529): Technical Brief and Priority Actions for Member States,\" Nov. 28, 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, \"Myocarditis and Pericarditis After mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination,\" Nov. 12, 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, \"First Confirmed Case of Omicron Variant Detected in the United States,\" Dec. 1, 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, \"Variants and Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2,\" accessed Dec. 1, 2021 USA Today, \"What are omicron variant symptoms? Everything to know about the latest coronavirus strain,\" published Nov. 29, 2021, updated Dec. 1, 2021 ## Browse the Truth-O-Meter ### More by Tom Kertscher slide 4 to 6 of 15 ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on July 19, 2023 in an Instagram post: A wind turbine must “spin continually for over four years just to replace the energy it took to manufacture it.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • July 28, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" TikTok posts stated on July 15, 2023 in un video en TikTok: \"Biden elimina ‘tráfico sexual de menores’ como una de las prioridades del Departamento de Justicia de su gobierno”. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Maria Briceño • July 25, 2023 ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on July 17, 2023 in an Instagram post: \"Florida to ban mRNA vaccines as credible evidence of biological weapons.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • July 18, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 26, 2023 in a Facebook post: Video suggests Canada wildfires were deliberately set to advance “smart cities” push. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 30, 2023 ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on August 26, 2023 in a video: Women vaccinated against COVID-19 face \"unknown side effects that could perpetually go down through the lineage\" to their children. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 29, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 25, 2023 in a Facebook post: As of Aug. 25, \"Luis Rubiales has resigned as the president of the Spanish Football Federation.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 29, 2023 ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on August 24, 2023 in an Instagram post: The World Health Organization said there is \"a possible causal relationship\" between COVID-19 vaccines and multiple sclerosis. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 28, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 9, 2023 in a Facebook post: Video shows military planes over Nashville \"dispersing materials into the atmosphere\" for geoengineering. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 23, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 20, 2023 in a Facebook post: “Official statement — Putin assassinated in the Kremlin!” ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Tom Kertscher • August 22, 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over four years just to replace the energy it took to manufacture it.” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • July 28, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" TikTok posts stated on July 15, 2023 in un video en TikTok: \"Biden elimina ‘tráfico sexual de menores’ como una de las prioridades del Departamento de Justicia de su gobierno”. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Maria Briceño • July 25, 2023 ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on July 17, 2023 in an Instagram post: \"Florida to ban mRNA vaccines as credible evidence of biological weapons.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • July 18, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 26, 2023 in a Facebook post: Video suggests Canada wildfires were deliberately set to advance “smart cities” push. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 30, 2023 ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/322c808c00e73c217d17772ddd5a0eb5.jpg\\") ![](\\" Instagram_logo_2016.svg/8b142c91ebe468a84a192e6df2b7b994.jpg\\") Instagram posts stated on August 26, 2023 in a video: Women vaccinated against COVID-19 face \"unknown side effects that could perpetually go down through the lineage\" to their children. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 29, 2023 ![](\\" ![](\\" Facebook posts stated on August 25, 2023 in a Facebook post: As of Aug. 25, \"Luis Rubiales has resigned as the president of the Spanish Football Federation.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Tom Kertscher • August 29, 2023 ### Heart complications aren’t yet a ‘listed’ symptom of omicron variant * ![](\\" ![](\\" House Majority PAC stated on September 9, 2024 in a television ad: Laurie Buckhout is “trying to get to Congress to pass a national abortion ban, allowing politicians to ban abortions with no exceptions and prosecute women if they get an abortion, treating women right here like criminals.” ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Paul Specht • October 1, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Donald Trump Jr. stated on September 9, 2024 in a post: “Less than three months ago, Kamala Harris and her administration blocked 300,000 unvetted Haitian migrants from being deported out of our country.\" ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"barely-true\\"](\\" barely-true.jpg\\") By Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu • September 30, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" X posts stated on September 30, 2024 in an X post: Photo shows President Joe Biden lounging on the beach \"while towns all over America were being wiped out” by Hurricane Helene. ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Samantha Putterman • September 30, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Social Media stated on September 30, 2024 in in social media posts: “Biden Announces: ‘2.4 billion more to Ukraine’ but ‘no more aid for Hurricane Helene.’” ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By 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Jon Tester “voted to give taxpayer-funded health care to illegal immigrants.\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" ![\\"false\\"](\\" By Louis Jacobson • September 30, 2024 * ![](\\" ![](\\" Instagram posts stated on September 26, 2024 in an Instagram post: “Kamala involved in P-Diddy’s rapes and assaults.” ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" th.jpg\\") ![\\"pants-fire\\"](\\" pants-fire.jpg\\") By Sofia Ahmed • September 30, 2024 Load more ### Support independent fact-checking. Become a member! In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts. 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Heart complications are one symptom listed for the omicron variant and are being used to cover up effects of COVID19 vaccines