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.
AFib and hot weather: Does anyone else... - Atrial Fibrillati...
AFib and hot weather
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.
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.
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...
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
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.
I think there is a sugar free Gatorade called Gatorade zero.
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)
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
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 😞
Try drinking a good quality coconut water and see if that helps, it replaces electrolytes. Also do you supplement with magnesium?
Jean
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.
I haven't had AF yet, but palpitations are far worse. I'm not a fan of heat, not at all.
Steve
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)
Same for me. A lot more palpitations. When I was young I used to like the hot weather. Not any more.
Same here Belinda. Oh to be young again, I say.
Steve
Yes. And the world was a little better place then. Wasn't it? 🤔😊
Yes pulse if 124 out if the blue and 95 last night flutters in my chest for about 2 hours
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?
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)
I use these
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
I dunno 🤷🏼♀️ Open to suggestions, checked another brand, sweetener in it 🤷🏼♀️
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.
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
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
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.
I would not drink Gatorade too much sugar and can really effect your stomach. Coconut water with or with sugar is good for electrolytes
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.
Not the AF but my blood pressure and pulse seem to drop when it's very humid.
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.