Sodium

[Bluseman]

Hello all, just wondering if anyone would know if a slightly low Sodium Level in your Blood can contribute to triggering an AF attack, thank you. John

[CDreamer]

not an expert but my understanding is yes.

Keeping your electrolytes in balance is essential. How much salt in your diet?

[Bluseman in reply to CDreamer]

Hello CDreamer, thanks for your reply, and I don’t take much salt in my diet as I believe it can raise Blood Pressure so not much at all, but my Sodium Level has been consistently slightly low for a few years now, but the doctors never raise it as a concern as it’s normally only a few points lower than the desired range, last blood test a couple of weeks ago it came out at 132, with desired lower range 136, than Jc s again for your reply. John

[CDreamer in reply to Bluseman]

I think we have been so frightened off taking salt on our foods that we now have the opposite problem. Recent research by the Zoe App found an interesting phenomena - that correcting low Potassium levels have more affect than reducing sodium for correcting Hypertension. Watching your salt intake maybe important but not the most important factor to reducing BP. 6g salt daily is the recommended level = teaspoon for all cooking and seasoning. That’s easy to calculate if you cook everything from scratch but almost impossible if you take processed or ultra processed foods.

Personally have Hypotension so have to ensure I take at least 10-12g salt daily - I actually find that really hard to do.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

NO.

cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)

[secondtry]

My BP has been lowish at 115/65. In last 3 years I have been taking more salt principally on porridge in the morning and feel well with it. Increasingly I try to tune into my body and if I enjoy something it usually means it is appropriate - this excludes treats such as Krispy kermis etc 🤪

[ozziebob]

The normal range of serum sodium given in my London tests was 133-146, so your 132 is not desperately out of range. And you can easily add a bit more salt to your diet. Good luck.

[Bluseman]

Thanks Bob, and that’s strange that the normal range in your tests are slightly lower than mine, and I’m only 50 miles away in the Brighton area, our low end limit is 136, thanks anyway Bob. John

[Ppiman]

I have read that if one electrolytes is out of balance, John, others might also be affected, e.g. potassium, magnesium and calcium along with sodium. Kidney issues and diuretics can cause this, I’ve read.

Steve

[Morzine]

hi john,

Well I’m the low sodium blooming expert ! Mine is up and down the past three years, we still don’t know why….i vary from 132/ 133/ occasionally it goes up to 136 but invariably down again, I haven’t had an afib triggered with it.

Have you found out why the sodium is a tad low…..it could be you are drinking lots of water….I’ve not found afib to be triggered but I do feel unwell with other symptoms such as nausea, foggy brain, when it’s been 130…….

Sue

[Bluseman in reply to Morzine]

Hello Sue, sorry for delay in answering your reply, i do as you get a lot of Nausea associated with AF and drink a reasonable amount of water which is in all fairness encouraged as most people don’t drink enough water, but I do understand that drinking too much will deplete your sodium level, it’s all a bit if a juggle really don’t you think, anyway thanks Sue for taking the trouble to reply. John