I was diagnosed with PAF in 1998, at the time I was 36 and had had open heart surgery for a repair to a hole in the heart. I had an ablation in 2006 and for about 9 months I still suffered with episodes of AF and then as suddenly as they started they just stopped, until I had flutters for a couple of months in 2018 and then again very recently April 2020 when I started to experience lots of fluttering and mild episodes of Afib. I have had a lot going on, I lost my husband 3 months ago, being in lockdown I resorted to comfort eating and put weight on, about 6kgs, and not being able to get out as much as I normally would hasn’t helped. In general I have just felt more and more anxious. I stumbled across this site and saw that magnesium citrate can make a difference so am taking 150mg twice a day, (it’s only been 4 days). My question, is weight gain a contributory factor to Afib symptoms? Or does the fact that I’m just getting older (I’m 58) mean that’s what happens? Does anyone have any tips that may help me? Would be lovely to have some feedback on this.
Is AF linked to weight gain? - Atrial Fibrillati...
Is AF linked to weight gain?
Whilst gaining weight may not cause AF there is ample evidence that loosing it can reduce AF burden. The LEGACY trial in Australia showed that reduction in BMI to 25 or less often reduced AF burden to a level where ablation was no longer necessary.
Thank you for your reply, my BMI is definitely not 25. I’m sure losing my excess weight can only help. I’ll try and read up about the LEGACY trial, sounds interesting.
Having seen what meal plan was exampled in that trial although I was on board with the results but not with the meal examples. It is also calorie counting which didn’t work for me, but I know helps many.
AF makes you feel drained after an attack and this can last for day. So yes, as you won't feel so energetic it is possible to be the cause of gaining weight. I used to do long distance walking, up and down hills. Can't do that right now, but hope to build up to it again.
Jean
A fib itself doesnt cause weight gain but if one is placed on a betablocker drug, that can cause fatigue which can reduce our activity over time= weight gain. Aging is also a factor, our metabolisms can get slower with age so we need to watch our portions. If a fib is associated with heart failure, fluid weight gain is commonly seen. Limiting high sodium foods helps with fluid retention.
For some people losing weight has a big impact on AF and heart health generally, less high blood pressure etc = less pressure on the heart, it would almost certainly help your symptoms to some degree although it's not the whole picture, the legacy trial is well worth a read, take care
Andy
I think that anything that slows the metabolism down eg: Beta Blockers, AF, Ageing will all have an affect, especially if we continue to consume the same amount of food as we did when we were younger and a lot more active.
I lost just over a stone last year because enough, became too much! It was very hard and very gradual as I focussed on eating less and differently. The evidence shows that although exercise is good for you, the only way to really lose weight and maintain weight is to change how and when you eat so the solution is to eat less but eat well ie:- lots of variety of different foods, avoid starchy foods & limit your carb intake whilst increasing fibre and maintaining intake of recommended amount of good fats.
I like The Doctor’s Kitchen for balanced meal planning and his book his excellent but other sites are also very helpful.
PS: - After AF, meds & PM I suddenly (?!) found I had gained 3 stones! Still could do with losing a lot more but I am happy, energetic and stable at present so don’t want to change a thing for the moment.
Carbs are my downfall but I’m really trying to vary my diet and making a conscious effort to drink a lot more water. I’ll look up the Doctor’s kitchen, I love a good cookbook. Thank you for your feedback and glad to hear you’re happy energetic and stable, sounds like the perfect recipe to me!
It’s the carbs that does it and I don’t deny I really miss a slice of fresh buttered bread!
Hi. I was diagnosed with aFib in early February after a week long monitor back last November when I weighed a whopping 14 stones. I started trying to lose this weight in January 2020 and to date have lost 3 stones. The effect on the aFib had been amazing, I walk approx 5 miles every day now and feel great. I'd recommend to anyone trying to lose weight to improve symptoms. I've been following Michael Mosley's low carb Mediterranean diet and the cook book is marvellous. I don't eat at all between 7pm and around 11am the next morning and don't get any symptoms at night any longer. I can't tell you how much better my sleeping is. I appreciate this approach may not work for everyone but it seems to help me loads. I hope it helps. If you're interested check out the FAST 800. Don't be put off by the title - it's a great approach and is proven to help diabetes as well. I didn't think I'd ever be able to do this but I'm glad I did as my energy levels have increased dramatically. A great bonus on top of the weight loss. Good luck.
Thank you for sharing, and really great to hear how your weight loss has helped you. I’ll definitely take a look at the book you mention, apart from the hope that it may help with my Afib it will be great to feel comfortable in my clothes again, I’m refusing to buy a bigger size!
HelenDW's post is very similar to what I've been doing since Jan. I def think there's something in considering intermittent fasting (Mosley's book is helpful on this)- I finish eating around 8pm and nothing apart from water until 11am next day. I follow a balanced diet with lots of fruit and veg, fish and chicken and even the odd treat! I too have found it harder to lose weight since AF diagnosis and aim at beginning of year was to get BMI down to 27( was just under 30) - incredibly it's now almost 25 which I never thought possible. I also use WW online as for me it's useful to record on a daily basis to keep within points target. AF certainly changes your life and at times is very hard to come to terms with . Lifestyle changes do seem to help many .Best of luck.
Thank you I’m really heartened to read such positive accounts from everyone it makes such a difference to me.
I agree. I also found as soon as I limited food to a time window is when the weight started to shift. Unfortunately I need to take meds with food which restricts my window to 10 hours. I get GERD if I try to take meds without food. I always used to fast for 24-48 hours before medication but just can’t do that these days but cutting calorie intake to less than 1,000 calories (not that I count them) on 2/5 days also works.
Calorie counting doesn’t work for me, high fibre, fat & protein and low GI seems to suit me more.
If you are putting weight on you will need to exercise more to get your energy in / energy out back into balance. You can do it by rigorous calorie counting which is very difficult to maintain or you can make use of the exercise provision that you are allowed to take under lockdown .
I have finally managed to get my BMI down to 25. We bought a weight watchers weighing scales which gives very clear readings, including BMI and is brutally honest. That banana and walnut cake I ate to celebrate my achievement has just shoved me back outside my BMI measurement. B*****y H**l. A longer walk and a bit of forbearance by me is required as I am determined not to let it get away again.
The bounties we have been nibbling on in the evenings, (it's not really chocolate it's mainly coconut, just a little treat, etc) , will have to go back in the cupboard . The "I am inside my BMI - I can eat what I want" temptation lurking like a little imp in the back of my head is going to have to be locked away again.
I am off bike dodging now before it gets warm. I think everybody in the world has grown a nice shiny new set of wheels but forgot about the bell. I use my walking pole as a horizontial measuring pole across my body to put them off a bit.
😂😂
I am so sorry you have lost your husband, you have had a rough time and it is hardly surprising you are feeling anxious. Stress can also play a major part in how your heart behaves, and there are some sites that offer good advice, especially during lock-down.
You have come to the right place for help and support and you have already had some good advice about weight loss. Difficult in these times I know. Are there places near (and safe) where you can get your walking routine back? I walk too, and miss it terribly if I can't get out. Here on Health Unlocked there is a forum
healthunlocked.com/positive...
Also
patient.info/news-and-featu...
Wishing you well.
Thank you, yes there are walks nearby and I do need to try and get into a routine again after everything that’s happened recently. Thank you also for the links, I shall definitely take a look. This site has been so helpful in terms of just not feeling so alone when trying to live with this condition.
I have had three cardioversions, two ablations and two pacemakers.
My AF and Bradycardia made me disabled for five years, but now I walk 30 or 40 km a week, and I have lost 35kg.
What works is a combination of the Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat (LCHF) diet and Intermittent Fasting (IF):
healthunlocked.com/fasting-...
That’s amazing and gives me hope and inspiration. Thank you so much.
Here to support you. You can do it.
You might also look at the Healthy Eating forum on HU? Or the Couch - 5K? I think you really do need community support and encouragement to sustain Lifestyle changes.
I know I need support, left to my own devices I can talk myself out of doing things far too quickly. The Couch - 5K is something I can certainly do. I’ve noticed I feel better when out walking even if my heart is beating faster, skipping beats, extra beats etc., So building up to something like 5K is a good goal for me. Thank you for your support, the members on this site have been so helpful.
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