I've been lucky with AF so far. The episodes have been well spaced apart.
One thing I notice is that almost all my episodes happen either in late Autumn (November), or in the winter months. Is this a common phenomenon? And is there anything I can do to minimise the effects of winter given it is about to descend upon us again?
I appreciate that many illnesses are more common in winter, the flu being the obvious example. But what's the link with AF?
Man thanks
Written by
cutlips
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Cold air does increase the risk of an episode. I like to walk outdoors but only do so if the temps are well above freezing during the winter months. Also, A Fib is a reflection of your overall health, so if you get the flu or other illnesses in the winter, it is more likely that your AFib will kick up. Irritating isn't it ?
That is something my EP taught me when I had pneumonia and my heart went nuts. What it means is that when there is stress on your heart, through infection, or disease process within the heart or elsewhere in the body, or stress reactions, or from a chronic lack of non-restorative sleep, it is common for AFib to rear its head. A body out of rhythm leads to a heart out of rhythm in those of us who have the substrate, i.e. the predisposition for AFib.
Interesting info! I have Afib mostly everyday! So not seasonal. No known triggers. Had my 3rd ablation 12 weeks ago. Now, still have Afib episodes but I don't always feel them. I have always very active and have probably had Afib 40+ years. I just never realized it was not normal to feel your heart race. I don't take any meds except for the anticoagulant Xeralto. I still lead a very active fast paced life & Afib doesn't stop me from doing anything. It just makes it more of a challenge some times. Lol
Afib is such a complex ailment and is so different for each of us. All the best😄
I wrote a post about this a few months ago. I keep a marked calendar to show my consultant the frequency of events and for the last two years my summers have been AF free! My consultant has no idea why this happens! I spent four months in Tenerife last winter but still had lots of AF! Roll on next summer!
December to March has been my most vulnerable period over the last couple of years. In total, usually 3 episodes during that period, none during the remainder of the year. Go figure.
Flu can cause inflammation of muscle tissue, including of the heart. If this happens then what were previously well isolated electrical routes in the heart become joined and you get spurious firing of the heart, and hence AF.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.