Electric nerve stimulation

[alfrae13]

A recent study indicated that trans cutaneous nerve stimulation of the vegan nerve decreased the episodes of paroxysmal afib. Does anyone have any experience in this and what were the results

[BobD Volunteer]

The vagus nerve can have an effect on AF for sure. I had Bowen treatment some years ago to "calm " mine with indeterminate results but my Bowen practitioner told me how he cured his dog of AF with Bowen.

[Dollcollector in reply to BobD]

Is that a joke? I didn't know dogs could get a.f. If they can , how did he find out his dog had it?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Dollcollector]

Why not? Horses do.! Humans don't have sole rights to arrhythmias.

( Vet told him. Sadly the dog died a few weeks later )

[Dollcollector in reply to BobD]

I wonder what causes it in animals, probably stress.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Dollcollector]

The same as in humans. Over-working of the heart most likely alongside genetics.

[Walkingwallet in reply to BobD]

Overworking the heart? Tell me more... I've been a distance runner for some time and am currently recovering from my second Ablation... (I'm back to walking 3 or 4 miles or running 1 or 2) I feel great! But I don't want to over do it...

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Walkingwallet]

Then you must be aware that people like you (along with fighter pilots) are much more likely to develop AF than the norm. Endurance athletes tend to over work their hearts which increases the size of the atrium. This can stretch and break down the natural pathways leading to chaotic activity. hence AF. It is noticed that professional athletes who retire and de train do not generally suffer.

Life style, both sides of the coin, are important in controlling AF

[lizzily]

My yoga teacher has taught me exercises to strengthen the vagus nerve including humming, gargling, breath work and stretching. I’ve noticed a reduction in ectopics and a calmer feel with less general anxiety and I like to think positively and believe it’s helping. There was an interesting Guardian article a week or so ago about the vagus nerve.

[secondtry]

Thanks for posting.

I also think this is an under exploited tool to reduce AF, considerably so for some. I have vagally mediated Lone PAF. I won't expand on my rather esoteric analogy likening the VN to an engine choke!! Suffice it to say, I am convinced the nerve plays a significant part for me and I have been looking to normalise its action by reducing all forms of stress and improving my digestion/gut issues. I also think daily slow breathing just through the nose helps to convey calm to the mind/VN as well as increasing the important Nitric oxide; I do this twice a day on my regular walks.

Maybe in the future non-invasive stimulation will be more common.

[Oggy99]

Have no idea what nerve he was referring to but 30 odd years ago (dam its nearly 40!) my GP said I was trapping the nerve that regulates heartbeat and it would accelerate depending on what I was doing at the time. (Normally competitive Badminton). I've never forgot this though the medical professionals I've seen since haven't commented when mentioned. I've always felt there was something in it though.

[SeanJax]

what is the reference of the study?

[alfrae13 in reply to SeanJax]

tclmd.com

pub.md.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[OzRob]

I bought a tens machine and the ear clips to stimulate the vagal nerve. You can find YouTube videos showing people doing this for other reasons than AF.

I did not really get any benefit, I tried it on a regular basis as well as when an AF episode began. I had more success putting my thumbs in my ears during an episode and moving them up and down to stop the AF.

The only external part of the body where the Vagal nerve exists is the ears.

Robert

[alfrae13 in reply to OzRob]

Did you do it daily for an hour? And it did not decrease the the frequency of the episodes or their amplitude ?

[OzRob in reply to alfrae13]

I will have to dig up my notes when I get back home next week to see when, how long, frequencies, etc.

As I could turn off my Vagal AF easily with a Vagal Maneuver I would have thought that by stimulating the vagal nerve with a tens machine would produce the same result, it didn't.

I do recall it was not the earlobe, but a spot inside the ear that needed to be stimulated.

At the time while I was researching vagal nerve stimulation I also thought it may be the answer for people with Vagal AF.

Robert

[Walkingwallet]

Wouldn't a tens machine be dangerous to operate around your heart?