Breathing Technic for Afib

[Paulbounce]

Hi HUC.

I thought this link might be helpful for forum members. Practising this technic can really help lower your HR and calm you down during an afib attack.

health.harvard.edu/mind-and...

It was initially posted in another thread in response to Tapanac but I feel it's worth starting another thread for other members to read.

Sorry, but I don't have the time today to personally respond to any comments - so much to catch up on this weekend with my business projects. There's no rest for the wicked.

I'll still 'like' any replies later today. Practise the technic for ten minutes so you know how to master it if Mr Afib pays a visit. It could help to show him the way out for a shift exit along with a PIP if your medic has suggested one.

Have a great weekend.

Paul

[BobD Volunteer]

Pretty much what we promote to stop ectopics. Came from a video from Dr Sanjay Gupta of York Cardiology some years ago.

[Paulbounce in reply to BobD]

It's great to hear that this technique has been recommended by Dr Sanjay Gupta of York Cardiology, and I'm sure many members of the forum will find it useful in this case.

Thank you for your contribution to the thread.

Paul

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Paulbounce]

As I always explain to people here slow breathing down to less than 6 BPM for at least five minutes.

[sassy59]

l practice breathing deeply quite a lot Paul but thank you. It’s a good technique to master.

[Paulbounce in reply to sassy59]

Ty Sassy. It's certainly worth mastering.

Enjoy your weekend.

Paul

[sassy59 in reply to Paulbounce]

You too

[jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for posting this Paul, always a good reminder for all of us and very helpful for new forum members.

Jean

[Paulbounce in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean. Have a lovely weekend.

Paul

[Vonnegut]

I think I’ve found the exercises you suggested and hoping to print them out and start doing them but seems I have signed up for lots of other stuff from them!!

[Paulbounce in reply to Vonnegut]

I think you may have pressed the subscribe button by mistake Vonne. Simple to solve - print off what you want and hit 'unsubscibe' when you recieve another email.

Job done.

Paul

[Vonnegut in reply to Paulbounce]

Remember “i before e except after a c”’

[Auriculaire in reply to Vonnegut]

It is considered bad forum etiquette to correct the spelling of other posters. You have done this twice now to Paul .

[Vonnegut in reply to Auriculaire]

It must be from the years I spent teaching when such things were considered important and helpful rather than critical-

[Auriculaire in reply to Vonnegut]

They are- for children who are learning to spell. But we are adults here.

[Vonnegut in reply to Auriculaire]

I still appreciate helpful suggestions so I’ll take yours as well meant!

[Paulbounce in reply to Auriculaire]

Thanks, AC. I did actually reply to 'Vonnegut' yesterday but I felt guilty about my reply and took it down. I try to avoid pretty spats online and just won't bother to engage with the poster anymore. It's just water off a ducks back to me.

Happy Sunday.

Paul

[Vonnegut]

Sorry you took things so badly,Paul. Do please forgive me. I didn’t mean my posts to be in any way at all nasty.

[Cholla3 in reply to Vonnegut]

V, I expect my friends to stop me from walking into a brick wall if they see that is where I am headed. I like friends who help me improve in little and small ways.

[Vonnegut]

And it is only the second time I have signed up for Health Unlocked!

[50568789]

Breathing well is a fundamental of Tai Chi and Qi Jong exercise. Liverpool University is preparing a PhD project investigating the potential benefits of Tai Chi for AF sufferers. Invitations to participate have been posted on this forum several times. I have signed up for it, but understand numbers are still low. Maybe the perception of Tai Chi is not clear - it's not kung fu fighting! It's a gentle, meditative, rhythmic series of stretching moves, combined with controlled breathing. I would encourage members of this community to get involved in this project, it is very undemanding, might do you a power of good, and may deepen our understanding of applications to lower the impact of AF.

[Paulbounce in reply to 50568789]

Thanks for your reply 505. I think Tai Chi could certainly benefit afib suffers.

Paul

[Tamgirl in reply to 50568789]

I have signed up and am in the control group. It is very worthy research.

[Vonnegut in reply to Tamgirl]

I have signed up too but not sure which group I have been allocated to yet. We are all going to get the sessions at the end of the experimental period though.

[Tamgirl in reply to Vonnegut]

Yes should be interesting. I have been going to Tai Chi classes for a year and I love it.

[Vonnegut in reply to 50568789]

I have signed up too as I miss the Tai Chi classes I used to attend until unable to do so as the fatigue worsened. I hope I’ll be able to manage the online sessions.

[Vonnegut in reply to 50568789]

Very pleased I am going to be taking part as I miss the Tai Chi classes I used to attend.

[50568789 in reply to Vonnegut]

I've been attending Tai Chi classes for over 20 years but it all went pear shaped when Covid hit and classes were cancelled etc. Trying to get back into regular sessions, but imo it needs to be a daily discipline to really get the benefits. Will be interesting to see what style is being used and the structure of the programme. I'm in the exercise group.

[Vonnegut in reply to 50568789]

So we might meet on the zoom session tomorrow if I can get a signal as we’ll still be at the podiatrist when it starts but home before it ends!

[irene75359]

I use a this technique when having a cannula inserted; the nurse invariably has to try at least three times and then gets someone else to try and without fail I end up with massive bruises. Having had countless cannulas over the past couple of years due to cancer treatment, one would think I would get used to it, but the last time I passed out and then vomited when I came too. Deep breaths!

[Paulbounce in reply to irene75359]

Hi Irene. I too have a problem having cannilars fitted - they always have to try several times before success and do leave bruses.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Paul

[Auriculaire in reply to irene75359]

I have problems with these too. For all three of my ops at the same clinic the nurses on the wing have refused to do them whilst I was there and sent me to theatre to be dealt with by the theatre nurses! They remembered the difficulty they had when I was hospitalised there with diverticulitis and my veins kept shutting down with the iv . I'm probably labelled in their heads as Mme Veines Nuls- Mrs Rubbish Veins .

[irene75359 in reply to Auriculaire]

Ha! You probably have small veins as well as being deep; when I was eventually having the contrast for the CT scan the guy pushed the syringe hard and I hit the roof; it was really painful and they all looked baffled but within seconds the site had developed a large bruise and the area was swollen. And it wasn't the cannula leaking either.

[Auriculaire in reply to irene75359]

That sounds awful! Mine also have a tendancy to slide away from the needle .At my local lab where I get my blood tests done they know to use needles meant for babies on me. The lady I always asked for is no longer there since it changed hands. She always got into a vein first time so going is now more of an ordeal.

[Vonnegut in reply to irene75359]

Poor you! Your experience certainly puts mine in perspective!

[fibnum]

Any relaxed inhalation will produce natural, abdominal breathing. Wind instrument players must learn to breathe relaxed even when preparing to play a treacherous passage in front of an audience. Making an "O" in your throat and keeping your head up are keys to abdominal breathing though the mouth.

[Nybroc]

Paul, thanks for your post. I've recently been suffering from shortness of breath, gurgling and wheezing, probable culprit weight gain due to raids on the biscuit tin. Have tried pursed lip breathing exercises which are similar to what you are advocating. In just a few days the gurgling and wheezing has virtually gone and the shortness of breath is much reduced. I know my heart medication is important and intend to stick with it. Nonetheless I am amazed at how much we can help ourselves with exercises and diet. Think the NHS is missing a trick here, not just for recent sufferers but for people like me who have had heart problems for nearly fifteen years.

[Paulbounce in reply to Nybroc]

Hi Nybroc. Diet and moderate exercise can help very much with afib - as can the correct breathing. Check out 'grounding' as well online as this is very useful if you start to panic.

Thanks Paul