Seasonal influence???

[Kellyjelly]

This might seem like a silly question but does anyone have more trouble with their heart in the winter than in the summer? I have noticed that I’m much more likely to experience afib in the winter and my heart feels more unpredictable too with more palpitations etc.

[TamlaMotown]

Hi Kellyjelly, not a silly question at all to me anyway. I always suffer more in the winter. In fact I have never had an episode out of winter so far & my ectopics are much more frequent when I am cold. I hate the winter 😝

[Kellyjelly in reply to TamlaMotown]

That’s so interesting! I’m so glad I’m not just imagining it 😂 I mentioned it to my fans and they think I’m mad!

[bantam12]

Yep, cold and windy days make my ectopics and breathlessness much worse.

[Kellyjelly in reply to bantam12]

I still have palpitations in the summer but all my hospital admissions have been in the winter. Isn’t the body a funny thing?!

[jeanjeannie50]

I've been AF free for the last two summers, it usually all kicks off again Oct/Nov through to May/June. I did wonder whether wearing dresses more in the summer and not having anything restrictive around my stomach/waist was the reason for my AF to disappear.

Jean

[Kellyjelly in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Same for me, from October until April I have more problems definitely

[Hidden]

I too feel more palpitations in winter months. I think it's because Im happier in nice weather. Im outside, enjoying the sun, outdoor activities, more exercise, healthier eating. In winter, I hibernate, watch too much tv, focus on my aches and pains more. The mind and the body work together. Here in the USA, alot of older people retire in the south. Now that Jm older, I understand their thinking😎

[Kellyjelly in reply to Hidden]

Could be like you say that we have more time to focus on it and maybe aren’t as busy being healthy as we are naturally in the summer. I think a move to the sun sounds like a perfect solution!!!

[jedimasterlincoln]

I tend to find summer a struggle but any extremes of temperature are challenging. I often find it hard to get warm in winter, especially when I'm tired, but in summer I overheat quite quickly too and that makes me feel lousy. There's obviously the need to drink more, and there's excessive sweating related to the AF and stuff as well.

It's not a comfortable time.

I can't really say if I've had more episodes in one season than another.

[Kellyjelly in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

I know what you mean, I’m good in dry heat with plenty of sunshine but any humidity and I’m done for!

[Hindmarsh]

Winter is definitely worse for me! I also live in a very windy part of the coast and find the wind can trigger an episode. I never go out without my sheepskin earmuffs.

[Kellyjelly in reply to Hindmarsh]

Sometimes it feels like the tension in your body from bracing yourself against the wind and cold can then trigger AF when you get back indoors.

[wilsond]

Yes because in cold weather our circulation is affected and can result in extra strain on the heart I was told. For the same reason people with copd and other respiratory issues are also affected,as well as arthritis. Xx

[Kellyjelly in reply to wilsond]

Yes, I can feel it as a physical response, something feels different and I usually have problems when relaxing after being outside.

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to wilsond]

Yeah although as I've said summer is more of a problem, I find going out when it's minus 4/5 I get tired a lot faster.

[Auriculaire]

Vit d levels lower in winter? Personally I have more problems in summer when it's really hot and it's easier to become dehydrated. I do take vit d drops all year round.