Some Success with Avoiding Afib

[fibnum]

After seeing my Afib rate of incidence go from once every couple of months to once a month to every 2 weeks -10 days, I finally got control of the factors which I believe were driving it.Doing that included:

1. Getting off of most of my blood pressure meds. (I only take 12.5 mg metoprolol twice a day now. I was taking 100 mg metoprolol along with Lisinopril and others.)

2. Losing 30-plus pounds.

3. Avoiding constipation and taking Gas-X and Pepcid and/or Pepto Bismol if needed. ( I got a helpful recommendation of prune juice with a table spoon of chia seeds and flax seed from someone on this site.)

4. Discovering I have Celiac disease and eliminating gluten from my diet. I also eat lighter meals and try not to eat after about 7:30 pm.

5. Eschewing alcohol, carbonated drinks and artificial sweeteners, and limiting caffeine.

6. Avoiding gas-producing vegetables and fruits.

7. Staying hydrated and remembering to take deeper breaths periodically.

8. Avoiding sleep apnea by sleeping with my head and neck elevated with my head turned to the right side.

9. Walking fairly briskly for an hour most days. Light weight lifting (may not be a factor)

10. Thinking positive, with the help of my 12-year-old granddaughter.

I evolved this regimen of behaviors on my own. My heart doctors ignored my concerns about stomach gas, and one EP expressly told me that diet change would not stop the Afib events.I have not had an Afib event for 4-and-a-half months (knocking on wood or whatever is handy!)I still need to cut down on sugar and sleep better.

I know everyone is different with regard to the triggers and root causes for their Afib, and I am not trying to sell my experience or play doctor. I do believe that some of the practices I have adopted can be helpful. For me, eliminating the buildup of intestinal gas was especially key. If I do have more Afib, I will try not to get defeatist or down. I will stay the course unless it becomes clear that I need more serious medical intervention.It is not clear which changes in my behaviors are actually helping avoid Afib, but something is working. I wish all could find the keys to reducing or eliminating Afib from their lives. I am fortunate for now.

Al (fibnum) 78 years old

[BobD Volunteer]

There is no doubt that lifestyle especially weight loss can reduce AF burden but I'm not sure about stopping BP meds as high BP is a factor.

[fibnum in reply to BobD]

You are quite right. The reduction in BP meds was directed by my doctors. I guess the changes I made with weight, diet and exercise helped alleviate the need for them.

I did not mean to mislead people into dropping meds on their own. Thank you for the heads up!

[Dodie117 in reply to fibnum]

great post. I must try to follow your example

[secondtry]

Congratulations, that is the best post on prevention I have read for a while.

My experience (2 episodes a week to AF free for years) confirms you are pretty much spot on but as you appreciate it is a journey without complacency rather than reaching a destination so keep it up.

I would keep reading on natural ways to reduce gas rather than taking off the shelf medications, maybe talk to an experienced nutritionist.

Liked the granddaughter comment, I have a beloved 8yo one that says to me 'you have got to stay positive Grandpa' 😍.

[fibnum in reply to secondtry]

I too think it is best to avoid dependency on gas-relief meds and am trying to cut back. Several were actually suggested by a gastroenterology nurse practitioner with whom I consulted. My granddaughter is stressing me out. She can now often beat me in ping pong!

[Rainfern]

Thank you fibnum.

[Tarikor]

Great regime! I would add the same, that Cardiologists don't give a flying F.. at all about relating our heart issues with anything else in the body. I have massive gas issues as well, and not a single doctor on this planet has ever answered my question as to WHY does it cause me to have strings of ectopics and AF...

They also said nothing you eat affects your heart. All I have to say to that (after 23 years with AF) is HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

GERD definitely affects the heart. No effing doubt about it. I could speak for hours on the topic and what helps and what does not help. Newsflash, antiacids, PPIs, H2 antagonists, etc. do NOT help at all. They cause further digestive issues down the line making the issue chronic and infinitely worse. A healthy diet (my breakfast is always a smoothie of raw veggies and fruits) and avoiding carbs like crazy, is the only thing that has helped me with my breathing, heart and digestion issues. (Note that all my issues started when I started taking Verapamil way back in the day, and in typical western medicine fashion, when I started having issues, doctors just gave me more pills instead of investigating the bloody root cause!)

[Tomred in reply to Tarikor]

Agreed, ive never had health advice from any doctor , only a look at the screen to see what meds they have for you.

[fibnum in reply to Tarikor]

I agree that gas relief pills can be ineffective for serious bloating and gas. I use them sparingly at bedtime to head off a buildup while lying down and sleeping. Perhaps I can wean off of them.

[stoneyrosed]

I too have Gerd, and since been on here I have found out many of us suffer from this. There must surely be a link to AF, PPIs stop the absorption of vitamins such as iron, potassium etc. I too have bloating and digestive issues. The only thing is that if I tried stopping the PPIs the AF got worse due to the heartburn & bloating. Double edged sword!

[Jajarunner]

Long may it continue. Well done and thanks for sharing

[Hidden]

Thank you for this, very helpful. I've gone from AF every month or so to not having it for 18 months, and am still trying to work out the factors. I think stress plays a huge part - I retired about a year ago.

[jimlad2]

Yep, re the gas issue - my 16 years of AF ( a lot of episodes) indicates that there is a close relationship between gas/bloating/intestinal problems and AF. Also must add that there have been many false dawns over the years. Break-throughs, with long gaps between episodes, were lovely at the time, but the infernal thing always managed to spring back as bad as ever or worse. Once had a 6 month AF free phase immediately followed by 8-9 in the following 6 months. And, after 3 years (2018-20 inc) averaging 8 per year I'm now at just under 20 a year, with a bmi of under 25, higher than average activity and fitness levels, I'd guess, for a 68 year old, no alcohol and a fairly stress free life - except for naturally occurring anxiety issues (minor, but coded into the dna I suspect), and a reasonable diet, which I'm just about to simplify again in the hope of reducing bloating problems. Hope your good phase continues forever.

[fibnum in reply to jimlad2]

I am sorry that you have not had better luck with avoiding Afib. I know it is always a threat for me also, and that things change. It was so clear to me that my heart rhythm was being skewed by the gas that worked its way into my chest after a few days of buildup from the inability to relieve it. While I do not know what made me so susceptible to responding that way, it was very evident what the ultimate trigger was. That gives me hope that I can reduce the rate of events at least through better gastric health.

Thanks for the good wish and best luck to you for getting on top of things again!

[Janith]

omg … each and every word that you have written with the exception of stopping certain meds … especially the constipation part … l too am taking the prune juice with flaxseed and chia seeds … REALLY HELPS … good sleep really helps … smaller meals … certain veggies …, etc. GOOD JOB STATING YOUR FORMULA … l have discovered the EXACT same thing! Best, Jan

[fibnum in reply to Janith]

Thank you, Janith, I only stopped most of my BP meds with the support of my cardiologist.

He thought I was keeping BP and heart rate too low. Apparently the loss of weight and exercise helped reduce the need for them.

[Budken]

Metoprolol was the cause of much of my afib episodes. I have now been taken off all my meds. I am only to use the PIP if needed, and have not so far after three months.

[fibnum in reply to Budken]

It is curious to find oneself on meds that can cause arrhythmia while dealing with Afib.

I think it is because Doctor X treats BP issues and Dr. Y treats Afib issues. I wish they would talk. X+Y might add up to better treatment plans.

[Sustainedvtach270]

Hello Fibnum. Congratulations on your lifestyle changes! Without adopting a gluten free, sugar free, vegetarian diet and alcohol free diet, I doubt I would be able to vacation in the tropics and to sit outdoor (now) on the equator with 88 farenheit/ 31 celcius. Here I am enjoying the fresh coconut juice!Concerning the gas, by working a great deal on improving my diaphragmatic/belly slow breathing and nasal breathing, they are pretty much gone!

Gas might be triggered by the lack of space or flexibility in our stomach, because afibbers like myself have been breathing the wrong way with shallow chest breathing for a long time...

[fibnum]

As a former professional trumpet player/teacher, I do not tend to chest breathe, but I agree about nasal breathing relieving the gas that we otherwise get from swallowing air with mouth breathing. I finally read about that a few months ago, and I try to remind myself of it while walking my one-hour of exercise. It does make a difference!

Thanks for reminder; I should have mentioned it in my post.

[Hidden]

Thank you for your stellar post! I like to believe that I can manage my AFib with lifestyle changes though I'm not there yet. Your post encourages me to keep at it. 🙂👍

[fibnum in reply to Hidden]

I wish you well!

[Tilly1957]

may I ask how much prune juice and flax seed, please? Or is it a spoonful of chia & flax mixed? Thank you

[fibnum in reply to Tilly1957]

I got the recommendation from someone on this site who said she has a glass of prune juice with one tablespoon of mixed ground chia and flax seed every morning, and it keeps her very regular.

I use 6-8 oz. of prune juice with the seeds. It has worked, although I tend to drink it as needed rather than daily. I probably should try every day.

Be sure you have plenty of liquid to avoid intestinal blockage and check for interactions of flax seed with medications.

I am not qualified to offer definitive advise.

[Tilly1957 in reply to fibnum]

I recall I used to eat half a dozen ready to eat prunes each morning - loved them. I may get some more. Thank you

[MarAF]

I was diagnosed with Vagal Afib. My pattern went from Monthly episodes to finally twice a week. I found out the sparkling water was a trigger. I had already given up coffee, wine, eating past 5 and heavy meals. Finally had an abalation two weeks ago and no fib. Hope it will be a success. They originally put me on Betablockers which appeared to make it worse and dropped my pulse and blood pressure too low.

[fibnum]

I hope ablation is the key to living Afib free for you. I do not drink anything bubbly. I had enough bubbles in my gut already!