sparking/carbonated water and AF - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,396 members38,731 posts

sparking/carbonated water and AF

LouBrig profile image
30 Replies

I had an episode of AF following consumption 2.5 litres of fizzy water. I can’t think what else it could have been. Is it a known trigger?

Written by
LouBrig profile image
LouBrig
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
30 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

No but 2.5 litres of anything is a lot in one go.

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply toBobD

Thanks Bob. It was over the course of 6 hours. I was out with friends, who were drinking alcohol. I tried it instead of plain water.

Threecats profile image
Threecats

Hi Loubrig,

I’ve triggered an episode through drinking a couple of glasses of water over the course of an evening, once. It was flat, not sparkling and probably equated to a pint. I imagine it affected my electrolyte balance, - didn’t give such things any thought back then🙄

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply toThreecats

Thanks

secondtry profile image
secondtry

I think it is a trigger. No scientific rationale I am afraid, just I believe if you are near the AF threshold (due to other factors) and have vagally mediated PAF then the gas can push the vagal nerve tipping you into an episode. I don't drink it.

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply tosecondtry

Thanks for replying. Something else to add to the list to avoid. Do you have any tips for calming the Vagal Nerve? I take Magnesium Taurate already and have booked a GP appointment to have levels of vitamin D & Potassium checked.

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply toLouBrig

Yes, I have worked continuously on lowering stress and improving my gastro health,as the Vagus Nerve runs from the brain to the stomach via the heart. If the gastro side is not in good condition I believe it sends stress waves to the brain to add to any emotional/work stress.

My understanding of the Vagus Nerve (when sensitive) of AFers, using an analogy, is like a stuck choke on old engines. Yes you do need it out at times but it should go back when things run normally. Due to various stress issues it stays stuck out and then becomes a contributory factor to an episode triggering. I have sought to correct this by a long period of all stress reduction and only now after 8 years am I beginning to increase stress but in only a limited way in business - never going back to my old bad ways!

Lastly, I was advised to take CoQ10 with Mg.

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply tosecondtry

I’ll try adding CoQ10 x

Anything that stimulates the vagus nerve, such as a distended stomach, can be a trigger for AF. In addition, drinking large volumes of water can lead to a low potassium level in the blood which makes the heart unstable - there is no benefit from this kind of excessive fluid intake.

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply toJonathanPittsCrick

Thanks Jonathan.

Mugsy15 profile image
Mugsy15

i don't touch fizzy pop, for 2 reasons: it is almost always loaded with at least one nasty sweetener, which for me is a surefire trigger. And the gas it puts in one's gut can cause bloating - another very common trigger because (so the received wisdom goes) in many people the bloated section of the digestive system pushes directly on the heart.

Many people on here identify alcohol as a definite trigger and abstain. In my case (we're all different) I would've been less likely to trigger arrythmia if I'd drank beer with the rest of the company rather than anything with sweeteners, especially of the artificial variety. Beer is carbonated, of course, but is far less gassy than pop (or 'soda' if you're stateside).

I can't drink red wine or whisky though, something in those causes my heart to perform a prolonged jazz drumming solo! Sulphites is/are a prime suspect, I've read.

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply toMugsy15

Thanks Mugsy15. Very, very helpful.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

The stomach and intestines easily and naturally distend when full of liquids, food or gas and push the diaphragm against the heart. This easily sets off ectopic beats which can then trigger AF in prone individuals.

Steve

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply toPpiman

Thanks

I doubt the sparkling water is a trigger, maybe the volume was, or maybe a random correlation! I don’t drink alcohol but drink sparkling water.

Tomred profile image
Tomred

If it made you run to the loo and caused dehydration to ensue, maybe it may help trigger , i drink it daily myself some days no afib and some days afib , hard to find the triggers.

Bigandy profile image
Bigandy

Perhaps it was the meeting itself, old memories or reminiscences with friends.

Autumn_Leaves profile image
Autumn_Leaves

Too much water wull cause a drop in sodium, which is an important electrolyte. When I’ve had my venesection treatments for haemochromatosis, I’m advised to drink extra water beforehand to counteract the loss of blood volume. My blood is always drawn and sent off to the lab immediately afterwards and low serum sodium is a frequent finding. Over consumption of water is the most obvious cause of low sodium and I probably overdid it on venesection days. Personally, I don’t avoid fizzy water but whether it’s flat or fizzy, you need to pace your water consumption to avoid electrolyte imbalances. I don’t know whether you have been advised to avoid salt, but as my BP is rather on the low side I can get away with a little bit of added salt. With AF you’re always going to have “just done” something that may or may not have played a role. Whether it’s actually the case is impossible to determine.

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply toAutumn_Leaves

Finding a cause appears to be a road to madness!

Autumn_Leaves profile image
Autumn_Leaves in reply toLouBrig

Oh yes, it certainly is. I call it “playing symptom detective”. 😜

Dollcollector profile image
Dollcollector

l was strongly advised by a cardiologist not to drink fizzy drinks, as they can trigger an a.f episode.

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig in reply toDollcollector

That’s really interesting. My EP told me no alcohol or red wine.

Autumn_Leaves profile image
Autumn_Leaves in reply toLouBrig

No fun, no triggers! 🤣

Dollcollector profile image
Dollcollector in reply toLouBrig

l was also told no alcohol of any kind and no caffeine. The only one l haven't stuck to is caffeine. I have 1cup of tea with my breakfast and the occasional cup of hot chocolate with no ill effects.

Autumn_Leaves profile image
Autumn_Leaves in reply toDollcollector

But is that the fizz he was warning about or is it another ingredient like caffeine in coke, for example? Or did he specifically mean the bubbles?

Dollcollector profile image
Dollcollector in reply toAutumn_Leaves

Any fizzy drink whatsoever.

Autumn_Leaves profile image
Autumn_Leaves in reply toDollcollector

He must include water in that case. I don’t do the cokes and the confectionery types of fizzy drinks but I’ve avoided those long before afib so they aren’t anything that has “triggered” me. Last time I had AF I’d had an avocado a few hours before — well, amongst other things like raspberries, almonds and spinach — so let’s see if I’m triggered by having avocado again. Since I don’t eat them very often. I’ve had half an avocado this evening.

Autumn_Leaves profile image
Autumn_Leaves in reply toAutumn_Leaves

Now I know I can’t blame the avocado. Didn’t think it was likely anyway.

jwsonoma profile image
jwsonoma

Hi Lou,

look up vagal manoeuvre on youtube. There should be plenty of examples. They haven't worked for me but they help a lot of people.

I was told even a small bag of crisps would replenish any lost sodium.

I drink n/a beer. took some getting used too but my cardiologist is adamant about no alcohol to help keep Afib at bay. Good luck

LouBrig profile image
LouBrig

Thanks. Yes tried all the vagal manoeuvres and they don’t work for me either.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Is Sparkling (carbonated) water a trigger for AFib?

Hi all Just wondering if any of you know if Sparkling water is a trigger for AFib? I do drink...
RajaRua profile image

AF and cold water swimming

Hi, I haven't been on for some time as my AF has been at peace for 10 months! Suddenly out of the...
JackyMac profile image

Coconut water and AF

I have heard that coconut water could help with AF symptoms, so I got some today, but don't know...
queseyo profile image

Water tablets and AF

I’ve just read that water tablets are strongly correlated with AF. Is there a better type of tablet...
Samazeuilh2 profile image

cold water swimming and AF

Hi as posted last week my AF is back after a 3 year gap. Only 2nd time had it. Cardiologist next...
patience12 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.