Water intake and AFib

[Tux18]

Over the past 6 weeks I've been making sure that I have minimum of 8 glasses of water and more per day. For the first time in 5 months I've had a drastic reduction in Afib episodes. I'm having about one episode a week compared to 3-4 per week. And the length of time in Afib as been a much shorter time. When I'm feeling like heart is beginning to race I start drinking water. Maybe just a coincident, but wondered if anyone else had ever noticed a connection in water intake or lack of water and Afib episodes?

[BobD Volunteer]

We constantly remind people to drink plenty of water. I always work on the colour of pee. Clear or dry white wine colour is fine but anything darker drink more water. In summer something like two to three litres of water are needed and remember tea or coffee actually reduce hydration.

[Jjda]

Water, water, water. And if you are questioning what you should have, it's water. But, buy a reusable bottle and refill it from the faucet. Don't buy a single use water bottle. That's my one and only political post.

[MarkS]

I would be very cautious about taking too much water. Drinking too much water can reduce the concentration of essential minerals in the blood, for instance sodium. This can lead to hyponatremia (too little sodium). This is associated with two and a half more times more AF, see:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/296...

So the recommendation is to drink according to thirst.

[Tux18 in reply to MarkS]

Thank you for your reply. The study seemed to be on those with heart failure, which isn't a problem for me. Maybe I wasn't clear in my original post. Maybe I had not been getting at least 8 glasses of water a day, but now am making sure that I do and at times I may have more than eight but just making sure that I'm well hydrated has seem to help my Afib.

But Avery good point - one doesn't want wash away minerals and such that we need.

[Ianc2]

Very easy to confuse hunger with thirst and eat rather thanks drink.

[Red1183]

I'm a nurse and I can tell you there may be some correlation between water and afib episodes although I'm not really sure why. I've had some patients drink a cup of ice cold water and their episodes subside. The vagal nerve involves both the heart and the stomach. The cold water may be enough to stimulate the vagal nerve and get you out of the abnormal rhythm. You could also do what is referred to as "The Vagal Maneuver." Clinch down like you have to poop; HARD. Doing this can also get your heart back into a normal rhythm. It's harder to use these "tricks" if you've got persistent/permanent fib; then you might have to go on a "Cardizem drip" to convert back to normal sinus rhythm.

[Tux18 in reply to Red1183]

It's helpful to hear someone else discuss the correlation between the vagus nerve, heart, and stomach. There are other repetitive practices I've been using to calm or keep healthy, (if that's a way to put it) my vagus nerve. Such as: meditation, counseling, walking to relieve stress, and more. In the past ,of course, I drank water, but payed no attention as to whether I actually stayed hydrated. It SEEMS that when I get up and drink at least one to two glasses of water to begin the day and then throughout the day I get a least 8 glasses of water then I don't have as many Afib episodes. I've gone from average 10 a month to 3-4 a month. When I feel any sensations of Afib beginning I begin sipping water even tap water and it seems my heart settles. Doing the other things that help my vagus nerve play a part also, I think. Considering Afib is not curable and is often most unpredictable everything I'm doing that appears to be working for me may not continue, but for now I'm going to continue to stay well hydrated and do what I can to keep my vagus nerve happy!

Thank you for your post!

[Red1183 in reply to Tux18]

Have you considered an ablation? What stage of afib are you in? Paroxysmal (comes and goes), persistent (nearly always) or permanent. Seems to me like paroxysmal. I've had afib probably since my 20s and and now 35. I had an ablation last October and am doing ok. I might need a touch up down the road but no big deal.

[Tux18 in reply to Red1183]

I had an ablation in October last year. From Jan. through May I had as much Afib as I'd ever had. It was horrible. Since the last week of May I've improved a great deal, possibly due to the things I mentioned in my last post. My cardiologist said he couldn't to any more to help me unless they get a better mapping system. Obviously, I have paroxysmal Afib.

Nest week I'll be seeing a new EP in another city to see what he would suggest.

Just grateful I'm so much better.

Good to hear you are doing well!

[Twishie in reply to Red1183]

Thank you for this. I am newly diagnosed with AFib after 2 strokes. My AFib comes and goes so no one caught it until I had the strokes. I take good care of my blood pressure but the AFib is new. I have a hard time with losing electrolytes and staying hydrated even though I take a prescribed potassium supplement. They still have me on 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide and I urinate all day. Very easy for me to get dehydrated AND electrolyte imbalances. Trying to supplement adequately but it is a struggle. Seems like the slightest lapse in water sets me off

[Horse57]

Always drink half your body weight in ounces everyday. And then some!

[Shopgal67]

interesting post as I’ve recently been drinking coconut water each day along with my usual 2 litre and I’ve seen a reduction in length of episode and they seem less angry .