Can weight loss make your heart beat sound louder? Is weight loss associated with increased tachycardia? I’ve had paroxysmal AF for 8 years. 1 cryablation, 1 RF ablation which has reduced my AF. I go in to AF about once every six weeks, usually in my sleep and CV with pip 250mg flecainide and 50mg atenolol after about 15 hours. On NY eve 2020 I ate some cheesecake around 11pm and went in to AF 30 min later. AF after eating has never happened before. So I decided to try a low carb diet to see if carbs are a trigger. Over 60 days I have lost 11kg/24lbs with a little discipline, no hunger and an easy plan to follow. I’m not done yet. If you’re interested here’s the link: ketogenicswitch.com/. I’ve had no AF on the eating plan but have noticed that my heart beat sounds louder. Is that because there’s less fat muffling it? Weird idea, I know. I’ve also noticed that I have lots of little runs of tachycardia that don’t develop in to AF. Has anyone else found the same thing after weight loss? I’ve had no AF since the NY eve cheesecake incident which suggests that carbs may have been a trigger though it may also be the extra weight was triggering.
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That’s pretty fast weight loss and ketogenic diets can have unpredictable biochemical consequences impacting the heart. I would ask for a renal panel and thyroid function check. To your first, no. To your second, associated but not directly causal, with the caveat above.
Keto is not agreeable with Af as it raises BP and can instigate palpitations etc. I tried it before and found it very hard on the heart, even though I don't get AF anymore after a successful ablation, going keto I found raised my pulse and made me feel like afib was imminent.
A calorie deficit works much better, slower weight loss, and no stress on the heart, move more, eat less, works all day long...
Thanks for your comments and glad your ablation was successful Shame that keto didn't work for you but it is working great for me. As a menopausal woman the calorie deficit approach was ineffective.
Calorie deficit always works, to fail its either your not in a deficit or not moving enough, or both. The keto and fasting diets are well documented for causing cardiac problems, especially in those susceptible to such events,anything puts strain on the heart and related systems can induce afib, palpitations etc, I'd speak to an EP or medical professional see what their view is.
Weight loss is usually a good policy in AF if you are obese and it is generally recommended that you aim for a BMI of around 25. It may be that this has helped reduce you AF burden if it applies to you but the speed and method of your weight loss may well be the cause of your other problems.
You are be congratulated on your weight loss.The normal body mass index is between 18.5 and 25.00.0verweight is between 25 to 30 and obese over 30.00 B.M.I.It is best to loss 1 to 2 lbs a week.
Hi Elephantlydia, thanks for the congrats. You'd be amazed at how unwilling people are to offer those, or at least how often it comes with a tut-tut. All the best
Useful though BMI can be it is very difficult for me to be less than 25...I am very tall 6ft 5in and a bmi of 25 equates to a weight of about 100kg. At that weight I am quite thin and have only attained it twice in my adult life. Anything less is a dream. I also know that more muscled athletes don't fit in with the BMI scheme well. Not a criticism of BMI - just pointing out it needs a personal fit to be more useful,
I followed an adapted version of high fat, low carbs as I found carbs, especially bread, cakes & biscuits were triggers for inflammation = arrhythmia. Although I about 10lbs, I didn’t have the rapid loss you experienced.
When you say ‘sound louder’ do you actually hear your HR? In which case this could be the reason.
Hi CDreamer, I've certainly learnt a lot about foods that trigger inflammation and am so glad to put that knowledge to good use. I feel so much better, sleep better, no more hot flushes etc. Yes, I do mean 'sound louder' as in how I hear my heart beats inside my body. I was just curious to know if anyone else noticed that after weight loss. Glad to hear you are AF free now. That's awesome
I can't comment on the diet you mention - I don't know enough about it.
However I can say being over weight can certainly affect the heart. It's best to keep your BMI 25 or below if you can. If you are over weight your heart needs to work harder which is not good for afibbers.
I think losing weight slowly (rather than a quick fix) and moderate exercise is a better long term solution. It's so easy to put weight on - not so easy to lose it !
Well done though for losing the weight - I think it can only be a good thing.
As for the 'cheesecake issue'. Maybe it was a trigger or maybe coincidence - it's hard to tell. I would certainly make a mential note of what have to eat before, should you return to afib.
One last thing. I think with afib we tend to be much more aware of our HR than others. I too also 'hear' my heart beating at times - I think it's part and parcel of our condition.
Hi Paulbounce, thanks for your comments and encouragement I am really happy with the specific program that I am following. It's likely that the rate of losing will decline and become more inches than pounds. Anyway, I'm so glad to have found something that works for me. I'm just so curious to see what effect it has on AF over the long term. All the best
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Shame that keto didn't work for you but it is working great for me. As a menopausal woman the calorie deficit approach was ineffective. 
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