No more multiple PVCs after daily sauna

[Sustainedvtach270]

I am a 58 years old male. I went into cardiac arrest almost 2 years ago when I was rapid afib. I now have a pacemaker defibrilator. Thanks to my diet,rich in potassium and magnesium, I have been afib free most of the time. Though at times I still had multiple PVC's, bigeminy usually at lunch time. Since I started my daily sauna more than 1 month ago, the frequent PVC's are gone! I have low blood pressure and I am on beta blocker so I drink a lots of salty water in the sauna. Sauna may not be for everyone, so use caution and talk with your doctor if unsure. If you do not have access to a sauna, a hot bath that makes you sweat, will do the trick. And to cool off after the sauna, I always take a cold shower... That provides an incredible sens of calmness!

[Jalia]

It works for you so thats good ! I couldn't think of anything worse . I would probably pass out 😬 I know that saunas are of great benefit to very many but as you say , be cautious and check with your doc if necessary

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Jalia]

Absolutely Jalia! My wife with no cardiac problem, does not stay as long as I do. I usually stay 20 minutes and longer if I swim before, the pool water is quite cold.

[lovetogarden]

oh, I love a sauna. Maybe I’ll use your example to convince my husband we need one in the back garden? 😀 I wish! That’s great that it helps your heart.

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to lovetogarden]

I did not take a lots of saunas since my 20ies, but I have been missing out!😄.

[CDreamer]

Anything that works for you, sounds counterintuitive but go for it. I always finish my shower with 20 secs of cold water - so good for you.

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to CDreamer]

I understand saunas are not for everyone and we as afibers or potential afibers should use caution. But the studies out of Finland are very encouraging for heart health. I always make sure to drink a lots of salty water during the sauna.

[lovetogarden in reply to Sustainedvtach270]

The Finns I know also love to swim in icy winter lakes and the sea. Crazy people! 🤣 Ice❄️🥶

[irene75359 in reply to CDreamer]

My daughter's Italian mother-in-law finishes off with a cold shower and was waxing lyrical to me the other day about how alive and invigorated she feels - I have yet to try it!

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to irene75359]

Hi Irene, it is all about stretching our body out of the comfort zone. It is like exercise.

[Eliktrick in reply to Sustainedvtach270]

heat is very different from exercise.

[DawnTX in reply to irene75359]

the French women also believe in it and claim that is why they have the beautiful skin they often do

[Singwell]

Lucky you! I used to love a sauna. Haven't had one since diagnosis. COVID didn't help of course. Would love to start again with 5 mins at a time...

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Singwell]

Hi Singwell. I was really afraid at first. I have to give credit to my wife to motivate me to take a membership at the pool where our son is taking some swimming lessons. It was before christmas when the temperature dropped to -20 celcius/-4 farenheit,my wife who is always cold wanted to use the sauna... She is now using it once a week and I go every day😄.

[BeeBee79]

hi there,

Thanks for posting. I too have AFIB most of the time, I’m currently due to have a 4th ablation. I’m 43 and last year had a cardiac arrest on holiday. My quality of life seems pretty poor in comparison to a few years back when I was running 5 times a week. All I can do now is daily hour long dog walks and I struggle with that.

I find the sauna and diet intriguing and although I’m not a lover of the sauna, Im willing to try anything so will mention it to my doc. Do you take magnesium supplements?

Thanks, Bee

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to BeeBee79]

Hi Bee. We are all different of course. But we both had a cardiac arrest and seem to be the athletic type. I was fortunate to have my cardiac arrest while hospitalized for rapid afib. I did not stay unconscious for long. This wonderful forum taught me that the number 1 thing for us is the diet. Few months after my cardiac arrest I was eating pizza and ice cream on vacation, my heart rate went back to 200! I manage to get my potassium and magnesium through my diet. I am now vegetarian, gluten free and alcohol free. I do not take any supplement. My quality of life is almost the same as before. I skied last saturday, I shoveled my driveway for 1 hour this morning, there was a fair amount of snow and ice🥶. The main change, my finger tips get numb more easily with the cold. I use more hand warmers and the sauna really helps to get the blood moving!😄And above all, the sauna makes me so relax, which helps tackle our number 2 concern:stress. Take care and feel free to ask any question

[Eliktrick in reply to BeeBee79]

have you heard of Hesrt Calm? Or read The Afib Cure?

[BeeBee79 in reply to Eliktrick]

no I haven’t but I’m intrigued…

[Eliktrick in reply to BeeBee79]

Heart Calm is a good supplement I can’t take it because if the taurine.. I take Cardiac FX prescribed by my naturopath.. The Afib Cure is a good start.

[BeeBee79 in reply to Eliktrick]

thank you, I will look into this 🙏♥️

[Snowgirl65]

I recall in my early days of afib that on a few occasions when I took a quick shower before heading to the ER because of a bad afib episode, directing hot water on my chest converted me to NSR and I didn't need the trip to the ER after all. Maybe the same effects as a sauna but not quite!

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Hi Snowgirl. The sauna's heat dilutes our veins, lowers our blood pressure. Important to stay very well hydrated.

[Eliktrick in reply to Snowgirl65]

this is so interesting

[Eliktrick]

I’m glad that works for you! Heat puts me in Afib.. I have to be careful in out hot summers!!

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Eliktrick]

Hi Eliktrick. Important to have enough potassium and magnesium in the system. If we lack any of those 2, we flip easily to afib whith the heat. That happened to me last summer, when I decreased my potassium and magnesium level to help my IBS.

[Eliktrick]

coconut water

[Jetcat]

I’m really happy that it works for you. I wish I had the courage to take a cold shower.!!! I don’t mind a tepid shower but not a cold one.!!! In my eyes a Cold water is for drinking not bathing.🤪

[Crash88]

wow, you sir, are an animal. doesn't sauna make heart rate spike as if you are working out??? how high does your rate get in the sauna? I would be scared shitless

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Crash88]

Hi Crash. I check my heart rate with my watch only when out of the sauna. The highest was 90 and goes rapidly back to the 60s. G

[Sustainedvtach270 in reply to Crash88]

I also did not mention, I keep active, I walk 10000 steps daily. When in the sauna, I do some slow diaphragmatic breathing but keep my eyes open to not pass out and keep drinking salty water to compensate for the sweat. I am more afraid of eating a pizza for my heart...