I have a friend who is awaiting diagnosis of Afibb, also has huge burden of ectopic beats and tachycardia when in sinus mode. I have seen on here listed sometimes, the life style recommendations that can be made whilst awaiting cardiology appointment but have been unable to find them. Also can not remember the titles and authors of the books about 'crazy heart' and life style to be followed.
Thankyou, Chris.
The A Fib Cure by John Day covers all the lifestyle changes needed - that’s the best place to start.
Thankyou
Hi Chris. I agree with Visi. I don't think there's a better answer. Tell your friend to stop smoking (if he does) and cut down on the booze. Gentle exercise everyday and try to eat healthy meals. Avoid stress were possible and push for the cardio appointment.
Paul
Thankyou
And a lot of people take a magnesium supplement such as taurate. I took it for about a year but stopped around 3 months ago and I’m not sure it made much difference but maybe worth a try…….
Thankyou
The important thing is many Lifestyle changes take months/years to bear fruit. So the sooner your friend starts the better and as some will be more influential than others (but all will probably help to some degree) it is best to adopt as many as possible and then consider weaning off some in the future (if difficult) when the AF has been stopped. In the meantime, a combination of drugs and lifestyle changes may be required and lastly if QOL dictates an ablation.
Visigoth has suggested a key book. I would read up here and elsewhere on the Vagus Nerve, which plays a big or small part with many AFers; if relevant this will then lead to lifestyle changes such as diet & stress reduction. There are so many more but the next I would look at is breathing particularly at night (sleep apnoea?) and doing an upgrade on daily dental hygiene and teeth/gums condition.
Thanks
In my case...........lifestyle changes - it is known that stress is a big factor in A/F so try to deal with your stress levels. Weight loss if you are over weight will help and do not over exercise, eat moderately rather than leaving the table bloated and resist alcohol, smoking and late nights on the Town...in other words, a good clean living, sometimes boring, lifestyle
Thanks
HiInteresting that you say be STRESSLESS.
Well mine was caused by THYROID PAPILLARY CANCER UNDIAGNOSED.
So a stroke - left frontal lobe.
Then 4 days later still in hospital a CAROTID SCAN showed on rxamination a shadow on my Thyroid.
Removal of all cancer didn't change my heart to normal.
Still no change 2.1/32 years after.
Not stressed because my ribcage is 'bad'. Heart pushed over to have more room!
I refused Radio Active IODINE.
I am CONTROLLED now on CCB Calcium Channel Blocker.
My daily average is now 93 heart rate. BP 123/70
Night average always LOW at 48.
I forget to take BP any more as h/r rises ON EXERTION. does take a longer time to return with sweating and tiredness, I need to STOP.
Everyone is different.
cheri. JOY
Hi Chris,The book already recommended is excellent.
There is also a chap in Australia who’s AF is in remission due to his close attention to diet
healthunlocked.com/afassoci.... Hope the link works - it’s certainly worth exploring.
Also, as Paul has mentioned, stress and anxiety can be big triggers, so finding ways to reduce that can be very helpful. When ectopics strike I’ve found slow, deep breathing settles them and is also definitely worth including in the mix. Have a look at past posts by CDreamer and Jeanjeanie, to single out two members in particular, as they have posted a lot of useful info on both lifestyle changes and ways of resolving episodes when they arise.
All the best TC
Thankyou
The key recommendations are to keep alcohol consumption very low or non-existent and to keep you weight at the correct level for your BMI if you are overweight.
Thank you
Thank you to all who have replied to my request, have copied the substance of replies for my friend and she now has plenty to work with and get herself on track. Unfortunately she is also awaiting a Consutant Haematology appointment for investigations regarding hugely raised Feritin blood levels, has been hit by this double whammy at the same time and is feeling very low.
I forgot to mention: there is a very good book called The AFib Cure by Day and Bunch. It's written by a cardiologist. In spite of the title it doesn't offer a cure for AF (you cannot cure AF), but it does give you lots of ways you *might* be able to put it into long term remission. Some of the advice is quite complex and involves various biomarkers, but it would be excellent for someone who wants practical advice on what works and what isn't likely to.
Thanks once again for that. 👍
Has she looked at haemachromatosis forum on Health Unlocked re excess ferritin?
Thanks Hylda I will suggest that to her, didn't know there was one. 👍
My daughter has just been diagnosed and she is finding it so helpful
Thanks very much, will have a look myself too
Healthy eating - Mediterranean diet for example. Reduce or eliminate stimulating drinks - I stopped drinking alcohol and saw good side effects such as weight loss which I needed! Look to reduce, or eliminate, stress/ stressors in your life (that could include other human beings🙄) walk every day. My greatest hurdle is sleep apnea - I have problems breathing through my nose when add keeping. I tried and tried to use a CPAP device and hated it.. I researched Nasal dilators which are used in sport but decided that soft childrens’ dilators were likely to be the most comfortable. I rub vaseline in (I use a menthol vaselin) and b4 hand clear my nose with a saline nose spray. Really worth this routine as I sleep better now than I’ve ever slept! Having had a successful Cardioversion last September after being in continuous AFib for many months , I continue to thrive and am fitter now and sleep better now than I ever have.
Thanks very much for that
Kind of mentioned, but good regular sleep. As well as the many benefits of sleep, for me, not being tired makes everything else more possible/bearable. It increases willpower and motivation to keep up the lifestyle changes. Easier said than done, especially if you are stuck in regular episodes or if you just have a busy life fitting everything else in, but sleep is crucial.
Thankyou
The hugely raised ferritin levels are most probably caused by haemochromatosis. That is strongly related to AF and it's vital she gets that sorted. I had a second cousin who had it and is now in a bad way due to overload on the liver. So she must reduce that iron overload asap, probably through frequent blood draws. Any relatives also need to be tested.
Thank you. She is waiting for appointment to review blood results and will tell her next of kin blood relatives.
As Mark says, high ferritin levels can cause AF, also other things that cause high ferritin can cause AF eg inflammation, so the most important thing is treatment for the cause, best wishes ❤️🩹
Thankyou Buffafly
HiSuitable weight loss.
Less sugar, salt.
No alcohol.
Try to be stressless.
Relax.
Eat smaller low fat meals.
Low regular exercise.
cheri JOY
Thank you, very good advice. 👍
As Buffafly mentioned, inflammation is a significant substrate for AF. One study recommends checking your CRP (C reactive protein) level and getting it down to 0 to eliminate or suppress AF episodes. See Afibbers.org resources page for more on inflammation as cause of AF. I had a major inflammatory episode last year and it increased my episodes dramatically so we are now in process of lowering inflammation, but it’s a long process and no 1 easy answer, unfortunately. Best wishes! Diane S
Thank you so much, will pass it on 👍
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