If electrolyte imbalance is the cause of afib, can restoring the balance cure afib? Or will afib happen again?

[li17]

Saw somewhere saying if there's a reversible cause, by correcting the cause can cure afib. Is it true?

[bmand]

Where did find out that electrolyte imbalance causes afib

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Interesting question. After my ablation my potassium plummeted and that electrolyte imbalance triggered AFib. For those whose first episode is triggered by dehydration or an episode of vomiting, that too comes with an electrolyte imbalance. Once it is corrected that particular episode is over, however once the substrate that is responsible for AFib has been activated, there is usually more episodes of AFib in your future.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to SRMGrandma]

Sounds a perfect answer Grandma.

[CDreamer]

In a word NO & YES - it is just not that simple - simply because it will be constantly fluctuating and it will depend upon what those fluctuations are, why they are fluctuating and how and what methods you take to stabilise them.

An anaesthetist told me that any major fluctuation will cause Arrythmia - an IV will stop he Arrythmia but effect will only last for about 20 mins.

You have to correct the underlying reason for the electrolyte imbalance which may be as simple as dehydration or the opposite - drinking too much water. But there are many, many reasons for electrolyte imbalance at the cell level rather than serum which cannot be as easily corrected as IV.

[li17 in reply to CDreamer]

I think I might know the cause of my imbalance. About 13 days before my first afib, I started a vegan diet. On the first few days, I felt very tired and had diarrhea. I heart also skipped beats on the 3rd day. But by that time I thought it was because of my anxiety and didn't link it to the diet. Then few days before first afib, I started to have heavy sweating when I was sleeping. Then I woke up at 2am with afib on the 14th day.

I had never thought my afib could be linked to the vegan diet. And I had talked to cardiologist and EP, both of they denied. But by looking back, the sudden change to vegan diet was the only significant change I made before afib.

So if this is the case, I hope restoring to a balance diet can fix my electrolyte imbalance so afib wouldn't happen again. Does it sound reasonable or realistic?

[Talika in reply to li17]

That doesn’t sound like the affects of the vegan diet… It sounds more like a bug or a virus…

[CDreamer in reply to li17]

It could have been many things - a virus certainly as whenever I have a virus it triggers AF episodes. If you changed your diet very suddenly it could have been a detox or an ellergic reaction - a herx reaction - certainly had that after detoxing - it feels like a virus but only,lasts a very few hours.

The truth is that you will probably never know what triggered the AF and only time will tell if you return to a mixed diet whether or not AF will return.

Any change of diet is best made gradually I think.

Best drink for maintaining electrolytes - Coconut water.

[fairgo45 in reply to CDreamer]

Coconut water your so right

[MarkS in reply to li17]

Restoring a more balanced diet seems a very sensible way to approach it.

[MN50 in reply to li17]

It crossed my mind that my a-fib was caused by my being a vegan.... It did not happen very quickly, but after a few years. I was thinking about that a lot a few weeks ago. I do believe that being a vegan depletes my body of certain nutrients and electrolytes, especially because I was not eating salt. A few months ago I started to take a little magnesium; it helps a little but it's not enough though. I started to add a little seas salt to my diet and foods rich in potassium. We shall see. And, no the doctors don't know or they don't want to talk about electrolytes imbalance. I know that every time I was in the hospital before I was given potassium.

[opal11uk]

I believe Potassium levels do have an influence on the heart but to be honest I dont' think anyone really knows the cause of A/F PA/F

[Ren912 in reply to opal11uk]

Depleted potassium levels caused my first AFib episode, and I had to take it by pills for a month or so. However my mother, sister, brother, cousin and her daughter all had AFib so there is a strong genetic presence in my family. I must not get dehydrated, drink red wine, or get overheated, as they have caused episodes.

[MN50 in reply to opal11uk]

They do but they don't discuss it with us, the common people. Many cardiologists feel they are so knowledgeable and being specialists.... are a little snobbish... they don't explain things or simply don't know!!! All they know is to push dangerous meds on us. I learned from a UK cardiologist to take magnesium and that made me think about electrolytes.... sodium, magnesium and potassium. Today I had a cup of spinach, lima beans (and added some sea salt) among other things and my heart is very calm right now. It could be the answer. I am praying for myself and others.

[beardy_chris]

Sometimes Afib has been likened to an electrical fault in a car distributor. If I can extend the analogy, the distributor problem is usually caused by dampness causing a short circuit. Even when it has dried out, a 'track' may still exist and cause problems.

So, I would suggest it is possible that an electrolyte imbalance might initially cause AF but correcting the imbalance might not cure it; the short-circuit would still exist.

However, it can't be a bad thing to get the balance right!

(PS I'm not a medic or cardiologist!)

[momist in reply to beardy_chris]

Sadly, that very good analogy will go over the heads of so many people today!

[Jacqlihe in reply to beardy_chris]

Great! I think you will strke a chord for some people with your analogy! Certainly does with me

I always use “ my timing is out” to explain my arrythmia problems and I m sure my last bout was triggered by insufficient moisture , I should have known but was doing a particular task I wanted finished, gasping for a glass of water and didn t take time out to get it

Not the only trigger, but certainly one of mine!

[Ren912]

I find that either dehydration, red wine or electrolyte imbalance causes an attack. Sometimes it happens with no obvious cause. It is a progressive disease and while there may be long or short periods between “attacks” it won’t go away. I have AFib.

[cuore]

Correcting the imbalance will not "cure" AF, but it should certainly delay it, Especially in the very early stage that you are in. Unfortunately, other triggers may set off an afib episode. I have not read or experienced only one repetitive specific trigger that sets off an AF episode.

[opal11uk]

really don't know the answer