AFib and hot weather: Does anyone else... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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AFib and hot weather

LAPHM profile image
42 Replies

Does anyone else experience more/ stronger episodes of PAFib in hot weather? i love the warmth but am not loving the extra PAF episodes I seem to be getting.

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LAPHM profile image
LAPHM
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42 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I was just about to put on a reminder to stay well hydrated. A minimum of 2 litres of water a day and more in very hot weather. If you wait till you are thirsty it is too late.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to BobD

HiToo late! That's not a good way to explain. Too late and ....you will be in trouble, die.

I was told to keep on top of hydration so that I will never be thirsty.

First drink in the morning is water as We all wake up dehydrated. A cup f. tea or coffee should not be your first drink.

cheri JOY. 73. (NZ). we are in winter but during May - now we have had temps of 18 degrees.

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49

I think BobD explained in a very good way. Stay hydrated, drink at least 2 litres and not wait until you get thirsty or it will be too late. Pretty good advice to me.

Hello, yes, unfortunately, the heat and humidity can have an effect on the symptoms of AF. We would advise keeping well hydrated and avoiding any excess exercise, it is important to listen to your body as AF can affect everyone differently. If you would like any support, perhaps visit our AF Association website and download our AF Fact File heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

mjames1 profile image
mjames1

Yes, you want to stay hydrated and many find electrolyte drinks like Gatorade helpful.

But even if hydrated, hot weather puts an additional burden on the heart which can independently lead to more afib episodes.

Personally, I haven't done well in hot weather -- hydrated or not -- since getting heatstroke about 15 years ago. So I try and avoid going out on hot days as much as possible. Fortunately, where I live most places have air conditioning. And when I do go out, I try not to be overly active.

Jim

stoneyrosed profile image
stoneyrosed in reply to mjames1

Not sure Gatorade would be too helpful has it contains 36 grams of sugar. My suggestion would be water, drink it until you notice your urine has become clear. Not sure really what other energy drinks don’t contain sugar.

belindalore profile image
belindalore in reply to stoneyrosed

I think there is a sugar free Gatorade called Gatorade zero.

stoneyrosed profile image
stoneyrosed in reply to belindalore

Ok thanks for correcting me 😊

belindalore profile image
belindalore in reply to stoneyrosed

I didn't know it existed til I saw it in the grocery store. I see mjames has posted using it. Maybe I might try it. Just hate spending money if it turns out I don't like it. This inflation is not helping my pocketbook. 😣

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to stoneyrosed

HiThe sugar - glucose not so bad but they contain caffeine. We had a case of a teenager who drunk several energy drinks and he died.

Hence the FDA did a check on them.cheri JOY 73. (NZ)

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49

Depends on wether you’re a diabetic or not!

mjames1 profile image
mjames1 in reply to stoneyrosed

Sugar isn't necessarily bad when it comes to hydration, because it can accelerate the absorption of electrolytes. If you're concerned about the sugar, there is Gatorade Zero or other non-sugared sports drinks. Personally, I don't drink Gatorade on a daily basis, however when dehydrated or in afib I will drink Gatorade Zero more often than regular Gatorade, but if very dehydrated I will drink the regular Gatorade or mix them up.

Jim

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

Definitely,I have had long episodes of AF every summer, this year two in a row plus a short one. I noticed they seem to follow swollen ankles - the problem with extra hydration seems to be that your tired heart may not be able to shift the fluid 😕 I phoned my GP and told her this expecting a prescription for diuretics to take when this happens. She kindly contacted cardiology who said ‘It’s difficult’ and prescribed Flecainide which I understood wasn’t safe for me to take so I haven’t worked myself up to taking it yet. Can’t win 😞

Chasemenow profile image
Chasemenow in reply to Buffafly

I too was afraid to take Flecainide. I have been on it now for 2 months and it has really helped. I was also take off my BP bill and have not been lightheaded since as it was too low.

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to Chasemenow

Thanks for that. I do take BP meds so it would be good if it had that effect on me.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Try drinking a good quality coconut water and see if that helps, it replaces electrolytes. Also do you supplement with magnesium?

Jean

LAPHM profile image
LAPHM in reply to jeanjeannie50

I've never heard of coconut water but I will swing by the supermarket tomorrow and see if I can get some (I'm willing to try anything!! I find the PAF very frightening and am already on the max dosage I'm allowed of bisoprolol). I have taken magnesium in the past but it dropped off because my entire day seems to revolve around taking all sorts of tablets and it was one more thing to remember to take. But I will try it again and be more assiduous in taking it daily.

My GP is ok but it's impossible to get f2f appointments (phone only) and even those you have to book at least a fortnight in advance unless it's an emergency. besides which, I think she is very limited in what she can do for me.

Bunnyuk profile image
Bunnyuk in reply to LAPHM

I dink coconut water every day and love it now. Do make sure to check the label tho... ideally it should just be pure coconut water. Some have all sorts of unhealthy stiff added. In UK Innocent is a great brand of pure coconut water

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

I haven't had AF yet, but palpitations are far worse. I'm not a fan of heat, not at all.

Steve

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Ppiman

HiNo A Fib yet.I feel you are waiting for it. Not nice to think about same.

Palpatations are caused by stress.

Try to have no stress and the Ps will leave.

cheri. JOY 73. (NZ)

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49

I’m not especially stressed, But chicken and egg as the palpitations make feeling relaxed less easy.

Steve

ETHEL103 profile image
ETHEL103 in reply to Ppiman

Yes I've notice more missed beats.Theyre a right pain.

belindalore profile image
belindalore in reply to Ppiman

Same for me. A lot more palpitations. When I was young I used to like the hot weather. Not any more.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply to belindalore

Same here Belinda. Oh to be young again, I say.

Steve

belindalore profile image
belindalore in reply to Ppiman

Yes. And the world was a little better place then. Wasn't it? 🤔😊

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply to belindalore

Yes indeed, and in so many ways. What with our current heatwave, the economy in a mess, continuing troubles from covid, Ukraine, energy and so on. Goodness me, what will be the result?

Steve

belindalore profile image
belindalore in reply to Ppiman

I hate to even think. Monkey pox is on the rise here in the USA. Polio is being reported. End times??

NLGA profile image
NLGA

Yes pulse if 124 out if the blue and 95 last night flutters in my chest for about 2 hours

LAPHM profile image
LAPHM

Thank you all for your comments. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. It can feel as if I'm very much alone with this and it does help to know that there are others out there who are also experiencing it.

btw, what is the difference between flutter, fibrillation and palpitations. How would I be able to tell the difference?

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to LAPHM

HiAF is an irregular heart beat.

Flutters and palpatations are you under stress.

One can have AF with rapid permanent h/R.

or AF and low BP.

Usually Drs don't worry about flutters or palpations.

I didnt feel 186 H/R avge during the day unless I was climbing stairs.

Now CONTROLLED on Dilthiazem a Calcium Channel Blocker 120mg am

and Bisoprolol 2.5 mg at night. With PRADAXA 110mg x twice day anti co-agulant.

cheri JOY 73. (NZ)

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady

I use these

Electrolytes
ozziebob profile image
ozziebob in reply to LaceyLady

Hi, Is this a "clean" product. I'm no authority, but I just read the list of ingredients, which are lengthy and include an artificial sweetener. Isn't there a "cleaner" more natural product available for maintaining electrolyte balance.

I'm not criticising your choice, just asking.

Bob

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady in reply to ozziebob

I dunno 🤷🏼‍♀️ Open to suggestions, checked another brand, sweetener in it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Windlepoons profile image
Windlepoons in reply to ozziebob

I use the Salt Stick brand. Electrolyte Fastchews. They are from the US but you can get them off eBay in the UK. They have calcium, magnesium,sodium citrate tribasic, potassium,1gm sugar, natural flavour and Stevia. You can get different flavours. The tablets are buffered to stop stomach discomfort. They are useful for AF episodes when I'm going to the loo every ten minutes! My partner uses them too for cramps.

ozziebob profile image
ozziebob in reply to Windlepoons

Thanks for the suggestion. They look affordable, and easily obtainable. I will investigate further. I was thinking more of ingesting after cycling exercise, not your toilet-chasing exercise !!!!! Bob

Windlepoons profile image
Windlepoons in reply to ozziebob

Lol.😁 It's like something is squeezing all of the water out of your body within an hour or two! Trouble is it takes your minerals with it. I think I read on the forum it's a hormone or enzyme that is secreted during an AF event that causes it. Your reason for taking it is a better one.👍😂

lindat15 profile image
lindat15

Unfortunately I can totally relate to this. In spite of keeping hydrated the summer heat seems to cause problems. I’d had a 7 month reasonably settled period which ended mid July so really gutted. Bought some coconut water yesterday to try out of desperation - I’d forgotten how awful this AF thing can be. I love the summer but not so much when I’m in AF

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

HiIs your H/R under 100? If it is over 100 your heart is not happy and you will sweat. Sweating more and you need a cool shower to cool down and drink of water, milk or homemade electrolyte e.g adding a few grains of salt and some glucose, maybe a squeeze lemon/orange. This will settle you. Milk is 90% water and 10% elements.

cheers Joy 73 (NZ)

I was sweating when h/r rose above 100.

Needs to be controlled.

Chasemenow profile image
Chasemenow

I would not drink Gatorade too much sugar and can really effect your stomach. Coconut water with or with sugar is good for electrolytes

TM93 profile image
TM93

Hydrated or not, and that is important, high heat will set off my AFIB pretty quickly. It is especially true if I am involved in an activity.

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003

Not the AF but my blood pressure and pulse seem to drop when it's very humid.

doodle68 profile image
doodle68

It is not surprising if AF is more difficult to cope with in hot weather if we consider the extra burden heat puts on our hearts increasing the blood to our skin to help us to stay cool.

I find my episodes in the hot weather are more intolerable than usual with increased breathlessness and cold sweats.

I stay out of the hot sun as much as I can taking a walk after dark, I drink iced water little and often and make sure I am taking my daily magnesium taurate tablets and have potassium in my diet too.

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