Been a while since I posted anything. Quick update all going AF well. AF free for 8 months. Did the same last year. Seem to get a few months of lots of AF converted by PIP (300 mg of flec). Surgical ablation (surgical because of atrial occluder) is still on hold until I press go.
Feeling ok. Fit and well. Anxiety depleted about the condition, although likely because I have long periods of nothing. I know I am lucky.
My question to you helpful lot is, does anyone partake in cold water therapy or swimming? Did some 12 degree plunge pooling last week (without looking up dangers). Can cause tachycardia and arrhythmias due to dropping your body temp. Obviously 🙄 you need to build gradual tolerance.
Keen to hear if anyone does this & if their heart behaves?
Thank you 🙏
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Pigleywigley
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I did cold showers for a while but decided the benefit was marginal, if at all. Unless you’re going to go all in with it, there’s probably not much to gain by having wimpy showers anyway.
Oh dear! That’s not exactly a recommendation, is it? 😱I reckon we’re better off concentrating on what’s more likely to help. Those who swear by it are probably living very healthy lifestyles to begin with.
Actually the podcast I attached shows that benefits can be reached after just 30 seconds! She’s the main researcher in the world. I appreciate it’s not for everyone.
I’m not against it and some people probably love it. That’s great. But we have to be realistic about what the advantages are. If it feels good then that’s getting something out of it at the very least. Will it give us bulletproof immune systems? Hmm… that’s difficult to ascertain on an individual level.
Makes sense from a physiological point of view. You will get a strong sudden vagal reaction which may temporarily convert your afib to nsr. Might be dangerous to someone with CAD. Can't say I've ever tried it myself. etheral
Very cold water could potential trigger an arrhythmia. A friend had his first afib episode after plunging into cold water. I've had a number of episodes triggered by drinking an ice cold beverage. YMMV.
Just want to add to my previous reply that according to some sources, cold water plunging may have health benefits. Personally, I remember taking morning showers under an ice cold waterfall during while camping at a yoga camp. Never felt better in my life. Of course I was 23 then But back to us adults, probably one of those things that may help some but not others and if you do want to chance it, gradually would be the way to go.
I used to frequently - I had to learn to swim in a lido and the water temp was freezing - also as a dinghy sailor I got dumped frequently in extremely cold water. I used to swim in the sea, mostly in the summer but these days stick to 10 seconds of cold shower. Always feel much more alive afterwards and never had any problems heart wise - I have though in indoor pools when the temperature was far too high!
Mmmm...it is oh so easy to become complacent during a period of NSR, I am always having to tick myself off for tempting fate. Moderation is my mantra and I am with CDreamer here, most days I have a hot shower then for the last 5 seconds cold....it feels great afterwards, I would love to stay under the cold a tad more but dare not risk it. I tell myself if it feels good then it is boosting my immune system a small amount.
Cold water does not work where I live, daytime outdoor temp is usually between 30 to 35 degrees C (92F) and the shower water is about 26 degress C (78F)!
Up here in the Highlands in the North of Scotland its a daily experience ,this and most winters,its freezing....fortunately I've just sold the house and I'm heading down south Being serious the cold has helped my health,you have to keep active.and keep moving , 20 c +is a hot day for me.
Conversely, I hate the heat and wish I could escape the dreaded summer heatwaves. 3 months in the Highlands every summer would be perfect if that was possible.
I know what you mean. When I’m at my sister’s it’s often pouring with rain and very windy too. And their water tank has frozen completely in very cold weather, which is no joke.
The science on the benefits of cold exposure are solid and growing as more research is done in this area. When I'm strict my cold, flu and ectopics are noticeably minimised.
The human body is designed to be exposed to the cold and remaining centrally heated in winter and air conditioned in summer is not natural and does not promote health.
I'd recommend this podcast episode on the subject and anyone who considers their health to be important can give the different advice a try.
Hi, I think I read on BBC news website, around all the new year swims they had found more cases of heart problems from cold water dips. Here's a link bbc.co.uk/news/health-61260268
Put it into google and hit return. Hope it works, but I'm not much good at this so may not. Article goes through pros and cons, one of which is it may cause AF.
The benefits of cold water swimming seem to be exaggerated. Prof Tipton of the local Portsmouth University researches exposure to cold water and he says the exhilaration felt after cold water swimming is due to the sudden release of stress hormones, and pinning down any physiological benefits has been difficult. Anyone swimming locally (Chichester/Langstone Harbour or the sea front) would be liable to pick up something nasty in the wintertime anyway due to the sewage overflows!
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But back to us adults, probably one of those things that may help some but not others and if you do want to chance it, gradually would be the way to go. 
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