PPIs and Afib

[ijregner]

I have been aware that PPIs have always been contra indicated for Afib patients. I just read two articles from reputable sights that indicate antiarrhythmic properties in PPIs and warn that Acid reflux is an Afib trigger. Thoughts?

[mjames1]

First of all, PPI's are not contraindicated for those of us with afib .

And yes, acid reflux is a trigger fo many of us. In my case, it's probably my major trigger.

For that reason, I sometimes have to take PPIs. Not crazy having to take them, however, like any other drug, it's a matter of weighing the risks versus the rewards.

For me, the reward of not going into a fib, outweighs whatever risks, PPIs may have.

If you can find another solution for your acid reflux reflux, by all means try. If everything else fails like it sometimes does then we're left with PPIs.

Jim

[Rainfern]

I’ve never taken PPIs in my life until now, but if they can calm these post ablation gastric issues and give me a good nights sleep then I figure that balances things out! Poor sleep isn’t good for anything.

[JefferyW]

Hi

I have noticed that GERD is the main trigger for me and when it’s controlled I tend to be AFib free. I’ve agreed with my Arrythmia nurse that part of my AFib treatment strategy is to focus on what causes my gastrointestinal intestinal condition to change and I’ve found that PPIs help. Other drugs commonly used for Afib can provoke gastrointestinal inflammation so it’s worth monitoring. I am not saying that this will be the case for everyone and am not medically trained - it just seems to work for me.

Best wishes

Jeff

[CDreamer]

My thought - a drug of last resort, important for some with problems with the esophogus. I coudln’t comment on the whether or not they are contraindicated for AF but I have learned that medicine in general and pharmaceuticals in particular are full of contradictions and differing experiences so there are no absolutes. Anti-arrhythmic drugs also cause arrhythmias, most compounds that help also cause, so strictly speaking could also be considered contra indicated for those with AF.

I have been prescribed PPIs many times and on advice of my previous GP - avoided and found other much more satisfactory and Natural methods of dealing with GERD.

Each to their own. As James says - you need to assess the benefits and risks for yourself.

[stoneyrosed in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CD, I would love to ween off PPI, may I ask what you used for your heartburn issues? Best wishes.

[CDreamer in reply to stoneyrosed]

Very hard to wean off PPIs as most people tend to get rebound affect, increase of acid produced. The GP I saw was also a LifeStyle Medicine trained and as much as possible used natural methods - one of which was to take home made milk kefir first thing in the morning. It seems to put a mucus lining on the stomach. Start with a teaspoon and build up to small glass. It’s really easy to make. Plain, unadulterated yogurt also helps.

Alongside that what worked for me was:-

Avoiding starchy carbs whenever possible but especially breakfast cereals, bread of all types alongside anything made with flour (all of which has been processed to within an inch of their life bearing no resemblance to food). When our digestive systems do not recognise what we put into them as food - you will get a reaction such as an increase in stomach acid to help digest. Hence stick to only eating completely natural foods.

The one breakfast cereal exception I found was old fashioned oat portage cooked the traditional way with water and salt but I add sulphate free sultanas as a sweetener.

Drink only warm or room temperature water and drink both before and after eating about half a glass, small slice of lemon in the water also helps.

Eat small meals and nothing to eat for at least 3 hours prior to bedtime.

Don’t eat between meals and allow your digestive system to ‘rest’ ie:- give it a holiday so confining food intake to a 8-10 hour window and resting for 12-14 hours daily.

Coming off PPIs I do recall the advice was to reduce very, very slowly - over weeks - and to follow intermittent fasting regime but this was something advised on an individual basis so you should take professional advice from LS doctor or nutritionist.

Liquid double strength Gaviscon if I experienc pain which nowadays it very rare, usually in the middle of the night it I ate too late.

I found reading the Doctors Kitchen first book very helpful as there is a lot of information about foods and their chemical make up and what helps and what can cause problems.

I just bought - but not got around to reading yet - Ultra Processed People by Chris van Tulleken.

This is just what helped me - I took one PPI prescribed as a prophylactic, had such a bad reaction - never took another.

[stoneyrosed in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for taking the time to write that information, most helpful. Take care CD.

[Ppiman]

PPIs are safe with arrhythmias to my knowledge and experience. I think they need to be taken only when there's no alternative, but they do stop acid uniquely well when that poses a health concern.

Steve

[MiniMeGreen]

Yes, its a trigger but may be well controlled by the correct diet nutritionfacts.org/video/di...

I had GERD some 40 years ago and it completely went away by eating more fiber, fruit and vegetables, less eggs and meat.

[2learn]

Hi, I've been on PPIs daily for 25yrs, didn't stop my AF, but manages my acid reflux.

[EW518]

Not to say it is the perfect solution but I found, on the advice of a nutritionist that Aloe Vera Water/Juice has an unbelievable ability to control acid/gerd. I have personally been using it for years and have never needed to take another PPI. You can usually find the product available in health food markets.

[Madscientist16]

Pretty certain the being on PPIs for treatment of mild gastritis actually CAUSED my AF. After 8 months on prescribed Pantoprazole at 40 mg and I went into AF. Nobody warned that long term PPI usage caused calcium, magnesium and vitamin B deficiencies which can lead to AF. Nowadays, a script for PPIs includes these warnings, but it is too late now. It took me about 1 year to wean off PPIs. I used liquid antacids, diet change, H2 blocker meds and a lot of patience to come off of them. An ablation has greatly reduced my AF burden since then.

[Hidden]

I have no idea what PPI stands for....so of course I Googled it:

Pixels per Inch

Payment Protection Insurance

Producer Price Index

Personal and Public Involvement

Ah....and right down the bottom.....Proton Pump Inhibitors. Bingo.

Just a small plea for people to please not assume that everyone knows all the medical initialisms. Thank you! 🙂

[T8746]

When I had my first encounter with afib, I accidentally found that a PPI would stop my episode, and usually within an hour.

I went on to modify my diet to eating less “challenging” foods, eating smaller meals, not eating close to bedtime. I also quit drinking alcohol. These all seemed to improve the situation.

I now only take PPIs occasionally, but follow my more careful diet and am doing well.

I do believe that my solution will NOT necessarily work for everyone. People have told me that PPIs actually bring on afib episodes.

I feel lucky.

[Hidden]

There is a correlation between Afib and PPI…

If you take PPI long term .. you lower the output of stomach acid making cells which in turn depletes the ability to glean nutrients and minerals from food… particularly magnesium.Bacteria can survive and cause SIbO…. Which in turn alters the ability to glean nutrients.. causing bloating and air pressure on the vagus nerve which again can affect the heart rhythm.

Magnesium often helps people correct benign arrhythmias such as ectopics and Afib… good place to start Dr Sanjay Gupta YouTube…

Consider supplementing with Magnesoum Taurate 350/500 mg a day…and see if things improve.

Best wishes.