Does donating 1 liter of blood increase chance of going back into Afib?

[Swimmer74]

I had surgical ablation on 9/8. Stayed in sinus rhythm for 2 weeks then back to Afib. I had a cardioversion 2 weeks ago and have stayed in sinus. I need to have 1 liter of blood drawn because my iron levels are too high. Does anyone know if taking out that much blood will increase my chances of going back into Afib? ie: perhaps dehydration??? Also, it will decrease blood volume temporarily so could that knock me out of sinus rhythm?

[Hidden]

Sorry, I’ve no idea but others here may be able to help even though it’s a bit of an unusual question. Certainly dehydration, in terms of a lack of bodily fluids, can have a significant impact. Obviously best to ask your doctor because there may be other health issues specific to your situation which need to be considered,

[BobD Volunteer]

If this is due to heamachromatosis then that itself can cause AF so bit if a buggin's choice.

[MummyLuv]

I’m sorry I don’t know the answer to that, it’s worth checking with your surgeon. There are not many of us had surgical ablation, do you mind me asking which hospital and who your surgeon was? It’s really helpful for others as surgical ablation is hard to get.

[Swimmer74 in reply to MummyLuv]

I live in the United States. My surgical ablation was done at Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC. I know this site is from the UK. I’m glad I found it.

[MummyLuv in reply to Swimmer74]

Great to hear of more hospitals doing surgical ablation 😍

[Omniscient1]

Personally I think it unlikely but when I was diagnosed with AF the NBTS struck me off their list when I told them at my next session. I put this down to paranoia and bureaucracy at the time as I was fine otherwise. This after donating for years and years ....

[emv54 in reply to Omniscient1]

Same here — I'd even given blood while in AF, but when they changed their forms and I innocently included it, I was booted out. After years and years and with O- blood which they're always looking for. Nobody at either the English or Scottish services has been able to give me a cogent justification.

[momist in reply to emv54]

I was also excluded as soon as I was diagnosed and prescribed Apixaban and Bisoprolol. I gathered the impression they don't want blood with apixaban included, maybe that's the reason? It would do little good to someone in danger of bleeding to death.

[Tykelady in reply to momist]

Very valid point.

[emv54 in reply to momist]

I take zero medication for my afib, and I don't have any other conditions, so I'm guessing not that — in my case, anyway!

[momist in reply to emv54]

But maybe they just assume that you will be anti-coagulated at some point?

[Colutd]

I have haemachromatosis and also had an ablation in July and when I give blood through a venesection it hasn’t affected my AF situation. So you should be ok I think.

[Profound15]

I also have haemo and require a venesection roughly every six months. Never had an issue with giving blood in regard to afib. Don’t think it has even caused any ectopics.

[AKatieD]

I have the single gene mutation rather than full HC.

I was a blood donor to keep my iron levels down but now the Blood service wont take my blood because of AF (resolved by cardioversion). Point blank refused even though I don't have AF now so suspect there must be some reason even though it seems unlikely - due to ask Consultant tomorrow (if I can remember!)

[momist]

I can give no medical guidance on this, but I do know that any anxiety about anything is likely to enhance my chances of going into AF, and some people are very anxious about giving blood (not me though). It follows that it would not be the blood giving that caused the AF, but the anxiety.

[frazeej]

I believe that if you hydrate yourself thoroughly after your necessary "blood letting", your levels should respond to normal quickly.

JimF

[AKatieD]

Just spoke to consultant and he would be happy for me to continue to give blood and says there is no increased risk of new onset of AF, given that I am not taking any meds and not in AF at the moment. Also given all the tests and monitoring I am more likely to be better candidate for giving blood than average untested person.

Will support with letter for me to send to Blood service, so will see if they take any notice. Not holding my breath though.