I am a 58 years old male. I went into cardiac arrest almost 2 years ago when I was rapid afib. I now have a pacemaker defibrilator. Thanks to my diet,rich in potassium and magnesium, I have been afib free most of the time. Though at times I still had multiple PVC's, bigeminy usually at lunch time. Since I started my daily sauna more than 1 month ago, the frequent PVC's are gone! I have low blood pressure and I am on beta blocker so I drink a lots of salty water in the sauna. Sauna may not be for everyone, so use caution and talk with your doctor if unsure. If you do not have access to a sauna, a hot bath that makes you sweat, will do the trick. And to cool off after the sauna, I always take a cold shower... That provides an incredible sens of calmness!
No more multiple PVCs after daily sauna - Atrial Fibrillati...
No more multiple PVCs after daily sauna
It works for you so thats good ! I couldn't think of anything worse . I would probably pass out 😬 I know that saunas are of great benefit to very many but as you say , be cautious and check with your doc if necessary
oh, I love a sauna. Maybe I’ll use your example to convince my husband we need one in the back garden? 😀 I wish! That’s great that it helps your heart.
Anything that works for you, sounds counterintuitive but go for it. I always finish my shower with 20 secs of cold water - so good for you.
I understand saunas are not for everyone and we as afibers or potential afibers should use caution. But the studies out of Finland are very encouraging for heart health. I always make sure to drink a lots of salty water during the sauna.
My daughter's Italian mother-in-law finishes off with a cold shower and was waxing lyrical to me the other day about how alive and invigorated she feels - I have yet to try it!
Hi Irene, it is all about stretching our body out of the comfort zone. It is like exercise.
Lucky you! I used to love a sauna. Haven't had one since diagnosis. COVID didn't help of course. Would love to start again with 5 mins at a time...
Hi Singwell. I was really afraid at first. I have to give credit to my wife to motivate me to take a membership at the pool where our son is taking some swimming lessons. It was before christmas when the temperature dropped to -20 celcius/-4 farenheit,my wife who is always cold wanted to use the sauna... She is now using it once a week and I go every day😄.
hi there,
Thanks for posting. I too have AFIB most of the time, I’m currently due to have a 4th ablation. I’m 43 and last year had a cardiac arrest on holiday. My quality of life seems pretty poor in comparison to a few years back when I was running 5 times a week. All I can do now is daily hour long dog walks and I struggle with that.
I find the sauna and diet intriguing and although I’m not a lover of the sauna, Im willing to try anything so will mention it to my doc. Do you take magnesium supplements?
Thanks, Bee
Hi Bee. We are all different of course. But we both had a cardiac arrest and seem to be the athletic type. I was fortunate to have my cardiac arrest while hospitalized for rapid afib. I did not stay unconscious for long. This wonderful forum taught me that the number 1 thing for us is the diet. Few months after my cardiac arrest I was eating pizza and ice cream on vacation, my heart rate went back to 200! I manage to get my potassium and magnesium through my diet. I am now vegetarian, gluten free and alcohol free. I do not take any supplement. My quality of life is almost the same as before. I skied last saturday, I shoveled my driveway for 1 hour this morning, there was a fair amount of snow and ice🥶. The main change, my finger tips get numb more easily with the cold. I use more hand warmers and the sauna really helps to get the blood moving!😄And above all, the sauna makes me so relax, which helps tackle our number 2 concern:stress. Take care and feel free to ask any question
have you heard of Hesrt Calm? Or read The Afib Cure?
no I haven’t but I’m intrigued…
I recall in my early days of afib that on a few occasions when I took a quick shower before heading to the ER because of a bad afib episode, directing hot water on my chest converted me to NSR and I didn't need the trip to the ER after all. Maybe the same effects as a sauna but not quite!
Hi Snowgirl. The sauna's heat dilutes our veins, lowers our blood pressure. Important to stay very well hydrated.
I’m glad that works for you! Heat puts me in Afib.. I have to be careful in out hot summers!!
coconut water
I’m really happy that it works for you. I wish I had the courage to take a cold shower.!!! I don’t mind a tepid shower but not a cold one.!!! In my eyes a Cold water is for drinking not bathing.🤪
wow, you sir, are an animal. doesn't sauna make heart rate spike as if you are working out??? how high does your rate get in the sauna? I would be scared shitless
Hi Crash. I check my heart rate with my watch only when out of the sauna. The highest was 90 and goes rapidly back to the 60s. G