Weight

[Julia59]

Does being over weight affect af

[jeanjeannie50]

My sister had what she called palpitations and went to see her lady doctor who said she'd had them too, but had lost weight and was now fine.

[dedeottie]

I think increased wieght increases blood pressure and this in turn can definitely cause A.F. I think that may have been the case with me. I lost 3 stone and my blood pressure is normal but sadly the A. F. is here to stay. Of course I must have had a tendency towards it I suppose. Just wish I had lost the wieght before the A.F. still benefit of hindsight and all that and I did enjoy the cream cakes! X

[rosyG]

I have lost about a stone since starting AF in August and episodes are much less vigorous now and blood pressure has improved somewhat- worth doing if possible

[lizwright]

I don't think its made a blind bit of difference to mine - my cardiologist says exercise which because of the horses I do rather a lot of is important. If you lose weight I'm sure it helps but not to fall into the trap of blaming yourself for having af because you are not a twiglet. I think it has other causes. In fact mine was misdiagonised initially because the consultant didn't hear me say I look after 12 ponies and saw a fat (size 18-20) middlea ged woman and just presumed I wasn't fit and thus I ended up with permanent af.

[Hidden]

Well, I'm overweight but on a diet... I've lost two and a half stone so far (need to lose at least the same again!) and am trying to improve my fitness. I do feel it's helped with the severity of the attacks, though it hasn't stopped them. BobD would point out, I'm sure, that you need to have the tendency to have AF before you will have it, so while being overweight may not help, it's likely not the cause.

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

hi

Since I had Af my weight has yo yo'd and strangely had more AF when I was at my lightest, so personally don't think it makes a blind bit of difference, although losing weight certainly helps my high BP

Eileen

[rosyG]

I appreciate we are all different but losing weight ,( if needed like me!!) takes strain off the heart, which is under pressure at times with AF- this is not to say it stops us having AF but can help to mitigate its effects.

[Hidden in reply to rosyG]

I do agree with you Rosy -- losing weight can only help the heart. I also agree with Eileen as my weight also yo yo'd & didn't appear to make any difference to my AF episodes.

Regarding weight & BP - and this must be a fluke in my case -- I lost 2 stones in weight at the suggestion of my cardio as my BP was a bit high ( although not on meds ). I felt really good when I saw him next until he took my BP which was sky high & I was made to lie down in a darkened room & await an ECG ! I was subsequently put on BP meds & now have a pretty stable rate of 110/70 ish on Candersartan 8mg

Sandra

[Kimmieblue]

I have AF and I would love to lose weight, am size 20!

Any tips would be much appreciated though I've tried most things but seem to have no luck, don't know what I'm doing wrong but I do get very fed up if I don't see results quite quickly. Thanks.

[dedeottie in reply to Kimmieblue]

I lost my wieght very very slowly over a period of 7 years so not a quick fix! As Rosie says , I did it by changing my eating habits e.g. smaller portions, less fat, less booze. I didn't cut anything out completely. I was clear in my own mind that I was not doing it to look better but to feel better that way I was doing it for no one else but myself. I have stayed the wieght I am now for 10 years as my eating habits have changed. By the way I threw my scales away so I wasn't leaping on and off them all the time ! Still got A.F. but I do feel better.x

[Julia59 in reply to Kimmieblue]

Hi I'm the same probably a size 22 , I've been told I may have to have catheter ablation and I'm to large and need to lose weight before I have it done, easier said than done as I also have under active thyroid as well , if you want to keep in touch and mabe try to help each other please let me know , I'm struggling at the moment and I've just had cardioversion and it only worked for 3 days so I don't know what they will do now.

Julia x

[Kimmieblue in reply to Julia59]

Hi Julia

I had ablation in June last year, that was the second, first didn't work. I weighed around 14st 7lb then. Since feeling a little better I've managed to gain weight, now I'm around 15st!!

I got a uti in December and my heart went haywire so I was put back on my meds. I also have anxiety. I'm trying to lose weight but gosh it's so hard, I know I should lose weight because obviously I need to but I seem to have to eat next to nothing to be successful, I'm actually wondering myself if I have thyroid trouble.

I think it would be good if we could stay in touch and try to motivate each other. At the moment I'm just watching what I eat and using myfitnesspal.com which is quite helpful for adding your calorie,sugar and fat intake, but it don't motivate you and help stop you feeling hungry!!

I live in Bristol, I'm 57 and am not working at present, I swim a little, walk the dog for half an hour or so most days but not much else, how about you?.

Best wishes

Judy.

[Julia59 in reply to Kimmieblue]

Hi judy,

I'm trying to cut down but it's so hard, I seem to put weight on just thinking about it lol, I don't smoke don't drink can't exercise much as I get out of breath very quickly so to think I can't have food as well makes me want to eat more. I'm a comfort eater as well and we have just found out my father in law is very poorly so last thing on my mind at the moment is diet. I use my fitness pal as well but it's always telling me I have to much sugar and to many carbs lol. I'm waiting to go back to leeds to see what the next step is as the cardioversion didn't work. Please keep in touch its good to know I'm not the only one struggling.

Julia x

[Kimmieblue in reply to Julia59]

Hi Julia

Exactly the same as me, I don't smoke or drink either but I do love my food. I eat quite healthily but probably too much, need to watch my portion sizes. I also use fitness pal, and like you it seems I have too much sugar! Gosh it's so hard. I'll probably be huge all my life! Take care.

Judy. X

[rosyG]

I think it's best not to concentrate on your weight but just to make each meal slightly smaller. Also, change to low fat and low sugar alternatives wherever possible. I find if I make things too severe to get quick results I just end up putting the weight back on again!!.

[weezergeezer]

I had an ablation in July 2013, I can honestly say that I tried all kinds of vitamins, medications, breathing exercises, I'd done yoga for over 8 years +, avoided what I thought were trigger foods, ( wrong) got fitter, although I wasn’t unfit or overweight my Afib just got progressively worse no matter what I did or didn’t do or ate, I believe in many cases if not all you can't control it, if only it were that easy, we'd all do right, were not stupid !, live with it and manage it maybe, but honestly how can you switch off those faulty electrical signals

IMHO ablation is the way forward

Ps, I still enjoy a chunk of cake or biscuit or 3 with a cuppa, my only vice in life

live dangerously while you can!

[Alibi23]

I agree that losing weight probably makes for less strain on the heart, but smaller portions probably way to go. A cardiologist once told me to avoid diet products because sweeteners were very bad for the heart. I try not to touch the stuff now. I do think we can beat ourselves up about triggers though-was it the glass of wine, the cake, the chocolate bar? Living with AF is bad enough without the guilt. My attacks come every two weeks and last two weeks regardless. I am trying to lose a bit of weight though that I have put on since starting bisoprolol.

[Ang3lc4ts]

Hi everyone, my weight is ideal, my BP is fine, I eat a healthy diet. I do not add sugar or salt to any of my drinks or food, we grow our own vegetables. I do not eat four legged animals only fish or chicken. I do not drink alcohol regularly, maybe a glass occasionally. I have had AF for 12 years so I don't think food or weight is a factor, you either get AF or you don't. I am on Warfarin so my risk of a stroke is lowered. I have not found any medication that makes any difference to my AF. Perhaps the EP I am seeing on Friday week will be able to help.

Di

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Interesting question to be sure. Just this moment home from my cardiologist/EP appointment. As I posted earlier, I am in a class called Coronary Health Improvement Program. The diet they suggest is a totally plant based diet and I have been following it for about 6 weeks now, though admittedly I have had a little salmon and lean meat about once/ week, which is not on the food plan. I drink only water, or some non caffeinated tea, eat no sugars and walk 10.000 + steps/day. I don't think any cardiologist would argue that the closer you are to an ideal weight, the better your heart (and everything else in your body) will function. Healthy diet and exercise absolutely have a positive effect on A.F. I've had zero episodes of AF since I have changed my diet. The other people in my class are reporting similar success. As I left my Dr.'s office his words to me were: "Your AF is a manifestation of your global health. Go out there and just continue to be healthy" For me, that is the perfect Rx. Julia, we all have to decide on the individual routes of our journey. I wish you good health and an ever successful journey to wellness..

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to SRMGrandma]

Is it unusual for you to go so long without AF and have you lost weight on your new diet? It sounds like you have a good doctor.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I have had years of only 1 or 0 episodes of Af and some years with as many as 16 episodes, it really does come and go according to my ability to stay calm and healthy. I had quite a run of episodes last November and December and now my heart has been calm again so far this year. Yes, I have lost about 7 lbs and maybe could stand to lose another 5 at most. Everyone in this wellness class has been losing, in addition to feeling more energy than we have felt in years. I am so appreciative to my cardiologist for facilitating this class. Hope you are well, Jean!

[RajaRua in reply to SRMGrandma]

Me again Grandma! Are you on meds for your A Fibb? Have you ever had an ablation?

[SRMGrandma Volunteer in reply to RajaRua]

I am on Cozaar for my BP, and Xarelto because of the A.F. I've not yet been a candidate for ablation as my AF is quite mild and does not happen very often, and at this point, the risks outweigh the benefit.

[forestoke in reply to SRMGrandma]

Is this Torbay? they seem to run a lot of trial stuff from there and I think they are very forward thinking on prevention . Good luck with it all. I'm under a guy in Exeter and the Royal Brompton heart and lung London and they are good at repairing . Oh to loose my one stone !!!!!

[SRMGrandma Volunteer in reply to forestoke]

Actually in the U.S. in Pennsylvania. I am kind of stunned that I've lost the weight and I was not overweight, just wanted to get my waist size under 32 inches as risk for more heart disease and diabetes is strongly correlated with waist size. Thanks for the good wishes. Same to you!

[jeanjeannie50]

Can you please tell us a little more about the diet. Do you have to exclude dairy products or wheat? Would it be ok to have honey on my breakfast? I am so desperate to be well again I will try anything you suggest. My pulse has been racing now for about 4 weeks, usually around 120ish and I'm awaiting yet another cardioversion on 12th March. I take Amiodarone (how I hate that pill) and warfarin. I've had to stop my lovely long countryside rambles as I can barely walk a few hundred yards without my heart becoming sore and extreme tiredness.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jeannie, Sorry I didn't see this before. I only come to the site a couple times / week. The diet they have us on is totally plant based, no dairy, no meat, and only whole grains. I can have whole wheat but for things like pancakes or baked goods I have recipes with rice flour or almond flour. No processed foods or junk foods or fast foods to be sure. The energy level is phenomenal and while I do crave a couple bites of meat or fish now and then, so far I've only needed a bite or two and then right back on the regimen. There is no counting of calories, and you can eat as much as you want. These are very nutrient dense and filling foods. I'm about to go make my breakfast smoothie with blackberries, bananas, oats, flaxseed and almond milk. Delicious and energy for the whole morning!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to SRMGrandma]

Sounds good. Will be interested to hear how you get on with this diet and whether it stops your AF.

[Rufus_4]

It has been interesting reading the posts on weight, size and AF. I have fluctuated between a size 6 and 8 for as long as I can remember (excluding 2 pregnancies 30 years ago!) . My PAF was diagnosed following a stroke earlier this year but, looking back, I've had the symptoms for years but just didn't realise because every time I was examined my pulse and BP were text book perfect. I guess if the AF monster is going to visit then he will, irrespective of weight.

[Shirlgal]

Is anyone on Warfarin 3 to 5mg every day.and lost two or three stone?. I am trying to lose weight as was told it would help with AF....disappointed to learn from reading various replies that it does not alway help....Has anyone lost the weight and now has no incidents or hardly any? Has anyone tried to lose weight on protein shakes without Vitamin K? as before AF I lost a lot of weight on another Protein Drink.....now trying Forever Living Lite (without Vit K) at lunchtime only to make sure it does not effect the test INR with the Warfarin test this week as INR was 1.9 but nurse said try another week to see if INR sorts itself out. ALSO..Has anyone tried Magnesium as they say we all could be low IF So what dosage did you use and did it help.?...so afraid to try anything on the WARFARIN...there is a lot of stuff on the Internet but nothing says about taking with Warfarin. or safe amounts and Drs not too helpful when asking about Vitamins. Any advice on any Vitamin therapy at all???? Going to Heart and Lung at Torbay on Monday as have had a couple of episodes of AF since comin off the Amoidarone and now on 5MG of Bisiphorol 5 mg daily......Has any one been taking Dronedarone (Multaq) after Amoidarone and did it help? Sorry about screed but its not so good this AF ...Had a Cardioversion in January 2014 which did not help ended up in AE for three days and started the Amiodarone which had serious side ..so await the outcome on Monday ...hope to hear from you

[forestoke]

Well all the replys are spot on with the diet and weight problems, it does cause the knock on effect with High BP etc , I need to loose only about a stone , done it before but darn it I just can not get on this time. It's also a long time thing isn't it? I should have done it 15yrs ago , and I used to drink a lot 10yrs ago and now stopped I wish I had then too

Just watch the INR whilst altering diet get it checked weekly if you go on a big diet changes