Firstly thank you for all your reies to my first post, certainly gave me some lifestyle changes to try and the reassurance that for some episodes I might never know the cause. One thought that wasn't mentioned and that I'm wondering about, feel free to shoot me down in flames if there is no link, does anyone find a bra that fits too tightly or that is underwired puts too much pressure on. ? Just asking before I spend a fortune replacing them!
Just a thought...?: Firstly thank you... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Just a thought...?
Written by
KaliBill
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29 Replies
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That’s an interesting one because a few of us have found that postural issues and spinal displacement certainly affects AF. I have moved away from underwired bras, especially when I’m home, and seek comfort now rather than style. I know of at least one other regular contributor who also moved this way. I think it also depends upon your size because no support is as bad a over support if you are on the larger side. I found Pilates classes helped a lot with posture but especially upper back. If your strap is so tight that it interferes with breathing deeply it will have an affect for sure as there is a direct link with mouth breathers and shallow breath and AF.
We had a discussion about bras a few years ago. I think when we went to be fitted for one the assistants always tried to get us to wear a tighter bra. I was conned into doing this, I thought they're the experts, but I was wrong to listen to them and absolutely hate tight bras now and find them so uncomfortable. I've bought some bra extenders which help reduce the tightness a bit. I have friends who have given up wearing them, which is ok if you have a small bust. Then there are those soft bras that are advertised as being the most comfortable, but I've found they give little support!
When young I never gave a thought to the bra I was wearing, that's all changed now! They're so uncomfortable, that I can't wait to take mine off once I know I'm not going outside again.
Certainly a bra can cause pain and can't be healthy being so tight over the heart area.
Jean
Yes definitely and my mum said the same. I find underwiring is out and any semi rigid underpinning.Taking it off made a big difference to symptoms. Obviously not in the middle of Tesco but as soon as was possible!
So decided to change style to soft non wired.
Not sure if it was bra that contributed to AFib or if AFib was made worse but I now err on side of caution !
It's the same ,by the way,with tight waist bands ( and funnily enough,many of my skirts and trousers seem to have got tighter waistbands these days!)
Good luck xx
I remember the post that Jean is referring to - it was surprising how many women had the same problem and did not wear a bra at home. I gave up about 3 years ago (I do wear one when out or visitors) I just could not find a comfortable bra, I have tried so many different types but none are really comfortable. I had to smile at Jean's comment about having a bra fitted, the last fitting I had, I commented on I think it's a bit tight, and I was told that's how a good bra should be ( this was the senior fitter at large John Lewis store). I wore that rather expensive bra once, it is now languishing in a drawer.
I an not sure that this problem effects my AF, as I breathing problems as well I just donn't like the restrictive feeling around my chest. I also smiled at wilsond's comment of waistbands, I have had to resort to elasticated waistbands as any pressure on my hip or back aggravate my right hip and back problems, it took me a while to work that one out because the waistbands on my clothes were not tight but just the pressure from the waistband was enough to effect my joint and back problems . The woes of getting older lol.
Cassie
Hi Cassie, my Mum has exactly the same problem with the pressure from waistbands causing her severe hip and low back pain, so much so that she’s had to resort to wearing dungarees!
I too have Asthma and therefore not the best breather, I also suffered a compression fracture of the Spinal T8 a few years ago which reduces the space to accommodate organs. Fortunately or unfortunately I do not have a large bust, so I only wear a bra when I have too. I choose a soft sports bra as the most comfortable. This morning I had to go out early so, just had a bite of a rice cake and a couple of sips of decaf coffee. What I got back I was starving, so ate three more rice cakes with butter and cheese spread . I then proceeded to get on my static bike, after a few pedals I felt strange - my HR was over 120 and irregular - I do not have a lot of sophisticated equipment. It took a couple of hours to revert- I did not want to take another biso as my BP was already low, so I took an alzam to quell my anxiety and that worked ! I'm sure it was because I ate too much wearing a bra !
Yes indeed.I go without a bra as often as possible much to my daughters chagrin!!
I laughed at your post, my daughter is the same as yours. I went to her house once and she said in a shocked voice, 'Mum are you wearing a bra'? It was a strapless dress and I thought no one would notice. Who cares! Lol.
Lol! Yes.From bra burning in the 1970’s to bra burning at age 69/70!
Ahhh… life’s journey😊
My daughter marched me into Bravissimo in Brighton when we had a couple of days away together earlier this month. Said my boobs were on my knees!!£38 for a bra and £16 for matching knickers 😱 At
78 who’s going to see them unless it’s another trip to resus! Still, they are carefully wrapped in tissue until I do!!
Ah Bravissimo. A couple of years ago I went into the one in Edinburgh, I thought I needed a 34G rather than a 32, but somehow I was encouraged to buy a 30 H. Wore it once! Expensive mistake! Had deep red marks round my ribs and a racing heart. Jean was right. For some reason, they conned you into buying a tight one.
It's odd how our daughters now act like our mothers. They don't want advice so much from us now, but certainly like to give it. It's a strange feeling.
Pity me, I’ve got three! Every time we discuss my kitchen (mine is wearing out) my youngest stares thoughtfully at my tiles and says ‘Your tiles need a good clean……’ And she points out when I repeat myself 🙄 I’m wondering if she realises they are pale grey tiles 🤔
Down deep l think that some daughters don’t like their mothers. I remember my daughter saying to me once … “l can’t wait for you to die!”
I loved my mother but I realise I didn’t really like her, preferred my aunt. But then my mother preferred my cousin to me 😀
Same here . I liked my youngest aunt more than my mother.
Tell me about it.
I can only wear underwired bras - I have tried non wired but I found I just don’t have enough support. I don’t have them too tight though, just comfy really. I haven’t had a paroxysmal Afib attack since November, so they don’t seem to make me worse.
I have had Afib for about 10 years, but have been wearing underwired bras for about 40 😊
Teresa
Oh for sure tight and underwired bras can cause a whole host of problems for many. Mine is twofold. As far as Afib goes it’s more a case of not wanting pressure against the boobs rather than the band of the bra that can cause me discomfort and wear the soft pullover ones. Secondly, I had breast cancer 4.5 years ago and due to scars cannot wear underwired or any bras with seams in now in certain places. Indoors I wear the soft ones. Again due to BC cannot really go braless. If I’m going out (especially in good weather and only wear T shirt) I wear good style M&S bras which I get fitted for. Got to preserve what I’ve got from going further south! x
Yes, a tight bra or any pressure in the chest area can set me off. You may find an underwired one that is fine for you. Just have to try different ones out. Good luck.
I certainly find that I loosen mine or take it off if I feel anything untoward nowadays. It could be nothing more than one just doesn't want pressure in that area. I doubt it's a cause. I have 'best bras' for if I'm on screen or going out and otherwise go for loose.
Hello kali 
I didn't see a previous post on the subject of bras but have thought about starting a thread on the subject.
I have symptomatic P-AF and noticed a definite connection between wearing a bra and its affect on my ability to breath when in AF.
I rarely wear a bra these days but on those rare occasions when I do, I make sure the band of the bra exerts no pressure on my chest so any support comes from the cups.
I bought some hook bra extenders like these from Marks
marksandspencer.com/3-pack-...
...to make sure my bras are not to tight.
I find cotton bras the most comfortable and wear this support bra from Marks.
Yes I think a tight bra has started an episode in the past for me!
Yes! I don’t wear bras … l wear Capezio (dance wear) one piece leotards … they are all cotton … super comfortable and really cute … they have adjustable straps just like a bra … no underwires. You can find them on line … l haven’t worn traditional bras since l was in my twenties. I hate those underwire things and l don’t like my middle uncovered … they also give a beautiful look to your body. Bras (for me) are unattractive, uncomfortable, weird contraptions that l refuse to subject myself to.
I ditched underwired bras shortly after moving to France as in the summer they caused irritation when sweating. I have very large breasts and whenever I have had them examined the doctors have always pronounced them "active" which is apparently a medical term for hard and lumpy. As a result I have suffered from breast pain especially in the right one for many years on and off. About a year ago I stopped wearing a bra in the house altogether. I still wear a very old soft one for gardening but remove it as soon as I stop. Result- enormous improvement in the breast pain! I have read that bras can interfere with lymphatic drainage so am wondering if this is the reason my pain has improved.
Just had this same concern and realizing constricted chest is an issue. I use the “bralets” whenever possible (the ones with adjustable straps) and keep my lifelong search for a comfortable bra 🤦🏻♀️
HiA too tight bra?
It is logical that although the bra itself is not causing the AF. The fact that you can feel the AF episode does.
Be cause of a 'bad ribcage" I dont feel my persisentent rapid AF I have no stress over its presence but I have symptoms like sweating profusely from the face, have to stop as no energy etc.
Best to change your bra just for comfort and less likely that you get stressed over it.
Alternatively would a 'loss of weight' reduce your boobs (lie me) and problem likely to diappear!
cheri. JOY
Wow, thank you all, ladies! I have waited a long time to hear someone confirm my suspicions that tight bras were at least a partial trigger for PAF, because I have experienced that. I also use extenders; but for DDD, a proper fit is always a problem, esp. in summer clothing. Sagging bras feel SO awful! I, too, had a fitter tell me "it's supposed to feel like a straight jacket--just get used to it". I even researched what the ladies of the "Roaring 20's" (my grandmother) wore under those very straight up & down dresses that looked so flat in front. Some wore "chest binders" to achieve a "boyish" look--sounds even worse! I am trying to just go without at home, but that's not really comfortable, either. I keep a couple of soft bras that can do in a pinch, for certain outfits, etc., & keep them loose enough not to worry about the triggering. But... no perfect solution, it seems. At least good to know we are not alone!
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