AF when getting into bed

[karrog]

We have one of those adjustable beds where you can elevate your head and torn your feet. I have my side elevated quite high at the feet level.

Twice now over past few weeks after getting into bed AF starts within a few minutes. Just wondering if there's a possible connection. I had been AF free both times for over a week.

Anyway I'm going to level things out and see what happens. I'm already back in NSR.

[karrog]

Oops, not sure how "torn" got in there! Sorry

[secondtry]

I doubt there is any connection.

However, getting into bed when very tired or within 3 hours of a meal has in the past resulted in AF for me. Suggest as first steps: eat earlier and lighter, cut stress and wind down slower before getting into bed. Then once in raise head (I use 3 pillows) and don't turn onto your left side (I use 2 more pillows to do that.

[CDreamer in reply to secondtry]

I had a long discussion about sleeping on left side with my CPAP consultant physiologist recently because I was swallowing air, causing reflux, triggering AF. She suggested that I get into bed and start on my left side - something to do with the stomach able to disperse wind much more easily on left side than right. If you do this for about 5 minutes, then turn to your right side to sleep - no problem. If I wake in the night I do this and it has worked.

[secondtry in reply to CDreamer]

That's very interesting and sounds logical. Great when you find something that works!

[Padayn01 in reply to CDreamer]

amazing the role the stomach plays, i see where they say it's like a 2nd brain, I think a lot of problems and diseases stem from the stomach

[CDreamer]

Try doing the opposite - elevate your head very slightly. I find that helps as I am prone to AF if my feet are raised and I am prone. I only use a very low pillow.

If you have any tendency toward acid reflux this will also be a trigger for AF when lying prone, add foot raise and bingo!

I do think there is a connection. Raising feet is helpful if you have water retention in your ankles but not to prevent AF.

[Ppiman]

I would say it's entirely possible. Posture changes such as laying and kneeling down or stretching high (as well as being full or bloated) can push the stomach and intestines up against the diaphragm, and that against the heart, to set off ectopic beats. I get this often. These can, I gather, set off AF in prone individuals.

Steve

[Hidden]

I had a similar problem and moved my meds to after dinner at 17:00 and this fixed it for me.

Cheers

[mav7]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Check the above link. Lying down and body position can be a trigger for afib.

[karrog]

Thanks mav7. I recall years ago there was a question about this and the EPs conducting the forum indicated lying on left side was a known AF trigger and as I recall it had something to do with the way the heart is suspended.