(sigh) another visit to the Emergency Department

[Doggiemomma]

Yesterday (1/29/2021) after dinner I had tachycardia, 135 bpm, diagnosed upon discharge as SVT (again). I took a Diltiazem as prescribed by my electrophysiologist and waited an hour with no change, so off we went to the ED. Thankfully normal sinus rhythm returned with two IV doses of Diltiazem. My prior visit was TOO recent, on Jan. 13, for the same thing (SVT), with the same IV treatment that brought be back into normal rhythm.

I know it may be totally fruitless to note a trigger (I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, have caffeine etc), but I am wondering... last night, hubby & I enjoyed Thai rice with sausages (processed sausages & probably high in sodium but oh-so-delicious!), & afterwards, I overindulged in cookies (lots of sugar & again oh so delicious!).

Is it likely or probably or probable or maybe or no connection whatsoever, that the food was the tipping point? If I'm way off base, I know you will gently let me know.

Thank you!

[meadfoot]

Sorry you have had another episode needing medical intervention, it is all so wearing. All i can say is when i had my worst svt episode i had eaten a heavy meal of quite fatty pork and i am convinced that caused my episode. Gastric issues affect my arrhythmia anyway ongoing. Sounds as though the food could well have been the trigger. Hope you feel much better now things are back to normal.

[Singwell]

Sausages are very high in fat and sodium if the more processed kind. Heart's pacemaker is an electrical system - sounds like the burst of sodium set it off. It might be worth reducing the number of processed foods you eat - cooking your Thai food at home - you can buy the correct spices etc - rather than a ready meal or ready pre made sauce mix. I do occasionally eat sausages but use higher quality with mostly meat and also made locally so less preservative. Heck are a good brand you can buy in supermarkets. Sorry you had another incident - it's miserable.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

The food you ingest is directly involved in health and symptoms, especially arrhythmia, in my opinion.

I think you know that ... since you are doing a tremendous job already cutting out many triggers .... but you just have a few more to go.

As I've gotten older, I can hardly eat any sugar without inflammation or other aches and pains. So I avoid it altogether. I've also cut back on sodium.

Lots of documented food facts from Physicians and Dieticians about foods that trigger arrhythmias. Years ago, AFIB was called 'Holiday Heart' because doctors saw it presented in patients who loved drinking alcohol.

I had AFIB with rapid ventricular rate (RVR) last half of last year. I'd awake with sustained heart rate of 130 to 135 that would last better part of day.

When it went to 2 days, I went into Emergency and was treated just as you were with IV Diltiazem (Cardizem). They gave me a prescription and told me to take it 4 times a day to keep the tachycardia away.

I did that for awhile, but transferred to Flecainide for AFIB. I stopped the Diltiazem, and to my surprise, the F controlled both the AFIB and RVR.

My Cardiologist wasn't that concerned about rapid heart rate, and said, "Your heart is structurally sound, so I am not overly concerned if you went a few weeks (even at age 67) with heart rate around 130."

Good Luck! with the tachy . . .

[irene75359 in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Your comment about your consultant not being concerned at a heart rate of 130 for some weeks - exactly what I was told which was quite a relief to me.

[Ppiman]

I was once told by a cardiologist that the "trigger" is not the type of food eaten but what happens to the stomach when we eat. Apparently, it can push up against the diaphragm where it can cause direct physical irritation of the base of the heart. People who have a hiatus hernia, reflux disease, constipation or IBS are perhaps more prone, but most of us swallow air which can do the same.

Steve

[BobD Volunteer]

It seems well know in some circles that less meat and processed food in our diet greatly reduces the burden of arrhythmias. Add in excess sodium and very likely high levels of monosodium glutemate (MSG) and you have a perfect storm. Pay attention to what you eat and you will get there.

[Hilly22]

For me, it’d be the cookies that did it. Partly because I’d eat far too many, but mostly because of the sugar overload. I used to get very frequent episodes of SVT/tachycardia, but it’s been nearly a year now since my last one🤞. I found cutting out sugar as much as possible has made a massive difference to me. Still can’t be 100% sure it’s that but it’s a correlation I can’t ignore. Worth giving it a go? 😊

[Palpman]

Chocolate is my hearts enemy. Love it but one row of 50% triggers palpitations.

[Buffafly]

My grandchildren go noticeably skittery if they eat anything sugary 🤪

[Karendeena]

Food does it for me, has been fish & chips, which I assume is the oil they are cooked it. Also if J eat cakes and sugary foods, that will trigger mine!