Food and AF: I really do think that... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Food and AF

Goldenslumbers profile image
12 Replies

I really do think that that certain foods we eat does trigger AF. This problem is very underestimated and overlooked. It seems a common thread in in many posts I read. Top contenders that can bring on AF in myself are spicy foods sugar rushes, however you can never legislate for the random attacks of AF

Keep well!

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Goldenslumbers profile image
Goldenslumbers
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12 Replies
jonjub profile image
jonjub

With me its seems to be more the quantity. I find i am better if limited to a structured meal regime - ie specific times and no picking or in-between snacks. Then not too much and an additional help is plain fizzy water. Posture is also a factor sitting upright to eat. If i feel too full i appear to suffer with serious palpitations.

PeterWh profile image
PeterWh in reply tojonjub

With me I feel worse if I have a big meal. Picking and snacking (good things) make it easier. I am in persistent AF.

Patient007 profile image
Patient007 in reply tojonjub

Too much chocolate sometimes sets mine off. Dave

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Yes for sure the vagus nerve affects some people but not all. Food can be a trigger but it isn't the cause of AF and you need an existing pre disposition before a trigger can work. That can be genetic or acquired as I'm sure you will have read me saying many times.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Hi there, I certainly agree with you. If you search for 'Food' on this site you'll find lots of interesting posts where this has been discussed on the forum.

Jean

Goldenslumbers profile image
Goldenslumbers

Hello jj, I remember a few years ago when I was inAF prior to my first ablation I said to my heart consultant that certain foods triggered My AF he sort of said " hmm don't know about that!" I think there is a clear link with food just as there is with caffeine and alcohol yet the medical profession seem to dismiss this ..?

PeterWh profile image
PeterWh

My EP said quite the opposite in that there are many foods that trigger or exacerbate but it varies considerably from person to person and sometimes from one day to the next for the same person.

Key ones are alcohol, processed foods, sugar (except natural ones in fruit), aspartame, spices, msg, salt and quite a few others.

Jonathan_C profile image
Jonathan_C

I can understand how eating too much can trigger it, but i don't understand how natural food stuffs can. I suspect sugar is not the problem if taken in moderation, but if you have 5 teaspoons in a cup of coffee, or eat half that chocolate cake rather than a slither then the sugar overload will be a problem.

I think the bigger problem are the additives like aspartame and msg.

yanbart profile image
yanbart

Definitely Alcohol and BIG meals for me!

Goldenslumbers profile image
Goldenslumbers in reply toyanbart

Hi mate think I'll go on a water diet lol seems to be the only substance that doesn't affect the old ticker!

Keep well

needlestone profile image
needlestone

I agree completely. I notice foods and certain ingredients. I also spoke with someone yesterday who said hers was triggered by nickel in the food and in the environment. I have recently started taking PPI for acid reflux and daily bouts of flutters have stopped. I know mine is certainly related to digestion. I was told to take digestive enzymes and my heart went berserk when I took those so again a link to digestion.

Chris147 profile image
Chris147

I posted the other day to say sneezing set my af off. However I bought what I thought was peppermint tea and only realised yesterday that I had bought green tea with peppermint. I only had five cups over three days and clearly since stopping I haven't had any more blips. So in fact I don't think it was sneezing in bed it was consuming a huge cup of green tea. Af nurse said it is full of caffeine and I haven't had caffeine or alcohol for three years. I cancelled my appt tonight with consultant as fairly convinced I know the cause. Chris

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