Is Fasting Safe

[Ruza2020]

Hello All.

I wander if fasting is safe for people with Afib.

Has anyone fasted for extended period of time - let's say 2 to 5 days? If yes, did the fasting trigger Afib Episodes?

I am on Amiodarone (100mg/day) and Apixaban (5mg twice a day). Amiodarone keeps my heart in sinus rhythm for the most of the time. However, I still get Afib, on average once a month - but it lasts for much shorter period - 2 to 6 hours.

Once I fasted for about 24 hours. I felt amazing. My mental clarity, and physical energy increase at least five times. So I decided to do a vigorous exercise - felt amazing. But then during the workout my Afib was triggered - not sure what triggered it.

Can someone share their experience with fasting and Afib Episode.

Thanks.

[rosyG]

No it’s not safe. Potassium and magnesium levels fall and heart protests!!

[Ruza2020 in reply to rosyG]

Thanks RosyG. I think we have sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals stored in our body - at least, I hope so. One can take supplements while fasting - I suppose.

[rosyG in reply to Ruza2020]

In my case I go into AF when potassium falls and this happened again recently when I fasted before knee operation so I think when they say we need 4000mg daily that is what’s needed and it replaces what’s been used so not stored!! So many people on here have described starting AF after dieting I would be very careful. You can’t take potassium supplements as dangerous so has to be by food

[Ruza2020 in reply to rosyG]

Thanks rosyG. Probably intermitent fasting (16 - 8) might be safer.

[shorttail in reply to Ruza2020]

I fast 16/8, and have not had any AFIB episodes, but lost a stone 😀

[Ruza2020 in reply to shorttail]

I can handle 16/8 as well.

You lost 14 pounds - that is a lot. Did you have enough weight to lose that much weight? I can't afford to lose any weight. My main purpose for fasting is-benefits of autophogy - plus, it feels good - high energy level and mind clarity.

[shorttail in reply to Ruza2020]

Yes , I need to go another 14 lbs. I sniff a biscuit and that's 1 lb on.Keep at it and good luck Ruza 2020

[CDreamer]

I’ve always felt much better fasting, never affected my AF. Mind you in recent years fasting has usually been none voluntarily as I need to take my meds with food otherwise it irritates my stomach.

I now practice Intermittent Fasting.

Just be careful about fasting and affect on absorption of your meds - not sure I would want to try more than 24 hours on Amiodarone so do your research and ask your Doctor.

[Ruza2020 in reply to CDreamer]

Thamks CDreamer.I spoke to my pharmacist about it. She adwise me not to fast - main concern is that it might affect medicine absorption.

I think you may be right - I take my amiodarone only in the morning. So 24 hours would be feasible. I suppose that would be considered intermitten fasting.

[saulger]

Recently fasted for 41 hours in preparation for a colonoscopy. No AFib issues.

[Ruza2020 in reply to saulger]

Wow, you did. Do you mind letting us know if what medication you take to control your Afibs - or have you had ablation. Thanks saulger.

[saulger]

Ruza2020, it wasn't easy fasting for 41 hours. Last meal at 20:00 on Saturday. Sunday was for drinking 20 glasses of water and no food, and was seen at the clinic at 13:00 on Monday.Funny thing is that after the first 24 hours the hunger subsides somewhat. The downside is that I might've caught the COVID-19 virus at the colonoscopy clinic - symptoms like a very bad cold.

I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AFib in February 2018 and was prescribed Bisoprolol 1.25mg twice a day, which I did not tolerate well (weak and breathless). I am low BP 90/60 and low HR 56. Now (since about a month) on 25mg (a quarter of a pill) Flecainide twice a day and doing great. Ticker is steady and I pray that it stays that way.

I find that my AFib could be digestion/bowel related, as I tend to irritable bowel syndrome and I've cut down on the fibre (low FODMAPS). I also try to exercise, at 75 this year, at a moderate effort, which was difficult with Bisoprolol.

I hope that you will be able to fast and feel better for it. Please see this:

medicinenet.com/how_long_do...

[Ruza2020 in reply to saulger]

I too was not able to tolerate Beta Blockers - nor did they help. I was on Bisoprplol (calcium Channel blocker) as well - that one as well, I was not able to tolerate - nor did it help. As for flecainide, I was on it for about five weeks - it kept my heart in Sinus Rhythm. But then horrible thing happened. I developed flutter - fluter was equally bad as Afib, if not worse. I read that some people are on Flecainide, very successfully for years, with minimum or no side effects. I hope it works well for you.

As for Afib being associated with digestion problem - it is very likely - similar situation with me as well. I have read a lot about Vagus nerve. It is a very complex tenth cranial verve, and thus responsible for "The vagus nerve is responsible for the regulation of internal organ functions, such as digestion, heart rate, and respiratory rate, as well as vasomotor activity, and certain reflex actions, such as coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting..." I am sure you read a lot about Vagus nerve.

All the best.

[Paul0208]

Electrolyte Powder 😀

[Ruza2020 in reply to Paul0208]

Agree - Thanks Paul0208.