Large meal and Atrial fibrillation

[Clyde12]

I had a chicken Sunday roast dinner yesterday. It was a larger meal than I would normally eat and about an hour after I started first with tachycardia between 130 and 180 and then had a couple of hours of AFib. Could the big meal have been the culprit or is it just coincidence?

[BobD Volunteer]

Quite likely. We AFers live and learn from our mistakes hopefully.

[Clyde12 in reply to BobD]

I’m learning loads! Mostly from this brilliant and reassuring site. Thanks Bob.

[Jalia]

From experience I would say extremely likely. I always say that it is advisable to eat smaller portions and never late at night.

[Clyde12]

Learned a lesson! Thank you.

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, I agree with the others - overeating is a sure trigger. An added no-no for me is walking after a big meal. As Bob has said, we live and learn! I also avoid any foods that contain artificial additives, especially sweeteners.

Jean

[Clyde12 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean.

[CDreamer]

Ditto - large meals to be avoided - good for the figure!

[Hidden]

Agree with the others ... read up on vagal nerve. An information superhighway between the brain, heart and digestive system ...... among many other organs too. Suggest you also google schematic diagram on vagal nerve.

John

[Lilypocket]

HiThe majority ( but not all) of my Afib episodes kick- off after eating ( generally a light/ normal meal). They can also be triggered if I skip a meal ☺️

I can still have a glass of beer in the evening with no effect 🥂 ( don't drink wine 🍷 any more sadly which I love).

I feel the vagal nerve is somehow involved🤔

Take care x

[Nick1957]

Definately avoid large meals and puddings! Vagal nerve will set it off - no doubt in my mind that that is the cause for my heartburn AF.

[Sfhmgusa]

I would add an “ almost certainly” to the comments. Before my second ablation , a big meal or even just a full size one with red meat was a trigger for me

Even now the two things I very actively avoid are binge eating and too much booze

Steve

[Coeurdelion]

No coincidence. I suffer in the same way. Try pro biotics.

[stoneyrosed in reply to Coeurdelion]

Just thinking about trying probiotics in tablet form (Acidiphillus bactilucus) how do you think they can help?

[Kent2007]

I have experienced the same - a few too many slices of pizza this Sunday evening triggered a bout of AF. I wonder, too, whether it depends a bit on the type of meal. One that's high on fat and protein tends to have a bigger impact than one loaded with veg. I don't know if anyone has any insights into this?

[dunestar in reply to Kent2007]

I too have to be very careful not to eat big meals. I have the same experience that what I call heavy meals, say like a chilli, are likely to be more problematic than salady/veggie type stuff. I don't have any proper research-based insights but my own amateur way of looking at it is that it places much more demand on the system including the heart to begin to digest high levels of animal protein/fat than salads and veg. If the heart is under pressure it may begin to protest.

[Cos56 in reply to Kent2007]

Both times I had an episode was about 2 hours after a high protein meal. ☹️

[Poochmom in reply to Kent2007]

I can’t eat pizza at all. It triggers AFib every time for whatever reason.

[Ppiman]

If you check various studies you'll find that the stomach can be brought to push up against the diaphragm, just below the heart where it can push against the heart and set off ectopic beats. These can easily set off AF in prone individuals. People often blame the type of food rather than consider this more obvious aspect of a bloated stomach. Constipation and gassiness can do the same, as can some kinds of movement even.

I regularly get a heart rate of 90-120 and that can make me feel a bit "spacey" and weak for just this reason. Rarely does it go onto AF with me, thankfully.

Steve

[Cos56 in reply to Ppiman]

Wow, yes, if I’m constipated, I have crazy beats OR if I feel the urge, crazy beats start. Odd connections…guess it’s the vagus in charge. Lol

[Ppiman in reply to Cos56]

I’m not sure whether it’s the “vagus” or the physical irritation caused by that diaphragm being pushed up against the heart. That certainly happens to me but who knows how common such a thing is?

If the vagus were being irritated, my cardiologist told me that the result would be to slow the heart as that’s what the vagus does as part of its role in the parasympathetic nervous system. Most people get a faster heart with AF.

Steve

[Cha275rL]

That happens with me too. The fast hb happened after a big meal long before I was diagnosed with AF, and it’s horrible, so I’d imagine that’s what caused yours too.

[needlestone]

Any recipe containing wheat will set mine off. I can eat large meals as long as no wheat is in anything. Definitely good sensitivity related for me.

[Colllie]

Yes, a big meal is a trigger for me too, especially fatty foods. Also, the position in which I eat is important - even smaller meals slumped in front of the TV can bring on AF, whereas sitting upright at the table (& reducing pressure on the diaphragm?) seems to help. What we AFers have to contend with, eh?!

[Cos56 in reply to Colllie]

Both of my episodes happened a couple of hours after a bigger meal while peacefully lying on the couch watching TV. 🙄

[Ppiman in reply to Cos56]

That’s when my recent AF started. It could also be “the vagus”, I suppose, since I gather that is most active during digestion, sleep and relaxation.

I read that some people get their AF when the excitation system is switched on (“adrenergic” system) and some get AF when the relaxation system is switched on.

Steve

[cpalmermn]

Mine would act very similar. We likely are triggered by vagal activity, so the various things that can fire up the vagus nerve seem to then trigger Afib. Wish there was more research going into this correlation, but Unfortunately, we’re usually relegated to meds or ablation.

[Racquet]

I'm pretty new to AFIBs, but I really have sensed that a large meal especially eaten after 7pm is a trigger for me. So just in case it is, I take smaller portions and do not eat till I feel full.

[Clyde12]

Thank you for all your replies. Large meals and me are finished! Best wishes to all.

[Cos56]

It will be a light Thanksgiving ! Lol

[Clyde12 in reply to Cos56]

Wish there was a laugh symbol!

[Cos56]

Enjoy