My sister has AF and has put on a lot of weight, apparently due to the medications she's on. I don't know what medications she is on or if AF medication in general does cause weight gain? I had gained weight at my last check-up, but the Practice nurse told me I had enough to worry about (my husband passed away a couple of months ago) without worrying about weight gain.
Gillian
Hi Gillian
Firstly, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family. I certainly gained weight due to stress when my husband died - I’m one of those lucky ones who tends to eat more when stressed 🙄!
As for AF medication causing weight gain, I’m only on Bisoprolol but have gained some weight whilst on it. I don’t believe it is the medication per se but rather, the fact that it makes me so blooming tired that my physical activity has cut down a lot to what it was.
I’m sure other more knowledgeable types will be along soon but that’s my take on it.
All the best to you, TC
So sorry to hear of your loss. No doubt your are comfort eating which is quite understandable. I have done exactly the same thing since losing my husband.
It is very early days yet, so don’t beat yourself up, you have quite enough to cope with.
As for medication, I believe that beta blockers slow everything down including metabolism. Energy levels are down making weight gain more likely.
Val
HiI have had AF after stroke and diagnosed with thyroid cancer and have not gained weigh. In fact lost some this year.
It is easy to blame meds. Thyroxin is one but that is not a heart med.
Set out a plan of food for day and stick with it.
Is she exercises less? I am because exertion equals fatigue.
Specialist asked me "what is my most strssful exercise.
I said walking up my road down and across to shops. Worse coming back cause gradient steeper and carrying items in a back pack worse still.
He said "good".
Asked how many pillows. Not sure why does someone know?
Give her a break for another month and work things out together. Walking is great.
Too hot keep to early morning or evening. Drink plenty.
I'm in NZ. Cool nights and sunny cloudless days. I also enjoyed September in UK.
cheri jOY. 73. (NZ)
This is contentious but the evidence seems clear that the medications do not, in and of themselves, cause weight gain or in any way affect the metabolism. Any weight gain is, if sudden, likely to be fluid retention. If not sudden in onset, then it is likely to be due to reduced activity and over-eating caused by increased anxiety, for example. Essentially, calories going in must be equal to calories going out to maintain a certain weight. Another issue might be thyroid related, of course, which can affect the metabolism and body weight.
Steve
My ex was on Eliquis (apixaban I think it's called overseas) and it caused him fluid retention and beet red and ulcerated legs. He tried two other "blood thinners." Xarelto and another one caused his prostate to swell up and he ended up in the hospital with a catheter. Drs said his body wouldn't tolerate them. So no more.He has to do as I do and use natural alternatives. So we are all different and sometimes other side effects show up that aren't in the print outs that the Drs or the pharmacists are given. There is a pharma 7 year post drug trial where the pharma companies watch for any other side effects once a new drug is on the market. I actually had a Dr tell me that's true. Couldn't believe he actually told me. Drs are usually pretty secretive in my opinion.
You're right and bad luck for your hubby. That must have been frightening. Drugs are a balance of risks and benefit but generally safe, yet still, some people, particularly those with slightly unusual metabolisms and liver function, definitely suffer more, it seems. I was given an SSRI once. I can't tell you how ill it made me. My GP said "press on it will eventually kick in". In the end, he realised it was effectively a poison for me, even if it's fine for most.
Steve
Yes. So true. Our metabolisms are so different. I don't know for sure if it's the drug itself in the meds or the fillers my body can't tolerate. Or just bad genes since most of my immediate family has the same problem. There is testing called pharmacogenomics which can tell whether or not the body can metabolize a drug. It's pretty costly. Funny thing my Medicare plan used to pay for it. But June 2020 they stopped paying for it. The month I was diagnosed with Afib and tried to take the pharma meds that made me worse. I actually begged the Dr to order the test for me and I would borrow the money to pay for it. She said no. So I asked the Dr I have now and I got the same answer. So that was that. Drs need to believe and listen to the patient when the patient tells them the meds are harming him/her. One thing Drs sure can't do is crawl inside a patients body and know how it feels. That only happens in the old Star Trek series with Mr Spock. 😁 Take care.
My own belief is that a lot of what we believe to be true with drugs is actually in the mind, but not, obviously in all cases. This has been shown times over is blinded studies using dummy drugs. I know from your own posts, however, that you have genuine problems which I would guess are genetic and probably to do with some specific liver enzymes. There are lots of studies on this and some drugs are especially troublesome. I have read that SSRI drugs for example, seem to be very bad for about (if I recall) 15% of the population - as I found out.
Steve
It's just a shame not everyone can have the pharmacogenomics test. I have a friend whose granddaughter is a Dr in California and uses it for some of her patients. Some people with the better insurance can afford to pay for it. She said it's really a good test and she is better able to tell if the patient can tolerate pharma meds well and if so which med will work the best. Well the saying goes-if you got it you can get it, if you don't have it, you don't. Take care.
Belindalore - would you mind sharing the alternative measures you are using?
So sorry for your loss. We all react in different ways and comfort eating is understandable. I lose weight under stress but Bisoprolol was the cause of my weight gain and sadly - it slows the metabolism - a real struggle to lose weight and I can only do that when I feel well - and there is the dilemma.
Oh bless you Gill, what a time you've been through. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband.
Beta blockers for AF can certainly slow you down and cause extra weight gain. However, I'm blaming my weight increase on the long period of hot weather. For weeks it was far too hot to venture outside and where I live is all very steep hills and I live at the top of one. I did go out a few times a week, but that was it. It was far to hot to do gardening too, nothing was growing not even weeds and I haven't mowed the grass for months. Blame weight gain on the weather!
Jean
Agree!
Some of these medicines can cause weight gain. Sometimes weight loss. Sometimes the weight gain might be fluid retention. If you can't get any info from Drs, you might try asking the pharmacist. Or doing some research on drugs.com online or exist.com. Those sites list meds and side effects and interactions between meds. Good luck. Hope you find some helpful information. So sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers sent to you.
I'm so sorry about your loss, Gillian2Mc. In answer to your question, I gained weight when I was on Flecainide. I was on it for a few years and had steadily gained weight which I couldn't get off no matter how hard I dieted or exercised. As soon as my new EP took me off the medication, my weight (23 lbs.) fell off very quickly and I'm at my normal BMI.
S00 sorry for your loss. Drugs have different effects on different bodies. Has your sister talked to her GP about this?
Sorry for your loss.
I would say beta blockers could cause weight gain, but this would likely be because of the fact that it saps our energy and makes it more difficult to be as active. I have come off my beta blockers this year, and I am already losing the bit I gained while on them. I am much more active now, but at the same time I am also eating smaller meals due to trying to control digestive issues, so I’m certain that is helping as well.
I think the key would be to be mindful of it and make adjustments.
Thank you for all your replies. I said in my original post that my sister had put on weight and had been told it was due to her medication. I am not overly worried about my weight gain, having been reassured by the practice nurse that I have enough to worry about. It's interesting that most people are saying there is no link between AF medication and weight gain.
Gillian
Is AF linked to weight gain? 
Weight gain
Weight gain with AFIB
Weight Gain and Beta Blockers
Weight Gain
