Cold Weather trigger

[tom0985]

hi all, I’m just over 2 years in to having PAF (Nov 21’) I seem to be having AF come on for 0-2 hours once every 2 weeks at the moment and I think I maybe on had 2 occurances in total between April - October…so it has made me wonder whether the cold weather could be a trigger which is setting it off more regularly come winter…appreciate there are other things to consider which could not be helping in the colder months (less exercise, comfort food etc.) just intrested to hear others views or if anyone else experiences the same.

[Buffafly]

I think it depends whether the episodes come on if you have been exposed to cold. Hot weather is very bad for my AF, a rise in temperature above a certain point is like flicking a switch 🙁

[AFCyclist]

I have found a couple of times if I am sitting outside in freezing weather and get chilled it can trigger AF. Keep moving and keep warm.

[secondtry]

Always breathe through your nose, avoid v cold.

Breathing is a key lifestyle check when AF is around - I understand nose breathing generates Nitric Oxide, good fuel for the heart.

[layla3 in reply to secondtry]

Why breathe through your nose when AF is a round?

[secondtry in reply to layla3]

Helps to reduce AF being triggered if you are already near the threshold - a personal non-medic view.

[layla3 in reply to secondtry]

I often breathe via my mouth just habit to be honest going to try via nose to see if it helps the amounts of AF attacks

[secondtry in reply to layla3]

On its own unlikely to stop them but with other changes may. Good luck.

[layla3 in reply to secondtry]

Other changes? I’m new to AF and struggling with it all

[secondtry in reply to layla3]

A search here on "lifestyle' should bring some up. Ones that come to mind first are: de-stress, moderate exercise, cut out 75% gluten & sugar, caffeine, fizzy cold drinks, avoid processed food and when eating out choose simple....keep reading daily posts here.

[Jalia]

I tend to get more episodes in hot weather.

[Auriculaire]

I have had an episode come on after leaning out of a window and breathing in cold air! But usually I find I' m worse in the summer.

[Shopgal67]

mine recently went from monthly episodes to every few days but I’d had stressful events in my life for a couple of months. I’m ‘trying’ to get back to monthly episodes but I think the anxiety of it increasing doesn’t help .

I don’t think the cold has made much difference for me , I know heat can trigger it more , I’m looking into electrolytes as I’m low in them especially potassium, and trying to eat more plant based .

Sometimes I wonder if I’m trying too hard to ‘control’ it and that that in itself might make it worse !! The joys of PAF

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello, it is a well known trigger that exposing the body to extreme change in temperature, whether hot or cold could bring on the onset of an AF episode, I am sure the members of the forum will happily share their experiences with you on how they manage to stay well in the current cold weather.

[Camelia23]

You may have a point. I've had about 6 episodes of afib in past years with varying triggers. Last Thursday I walked with friends about 3 miles in extremely cold weather with just a coffee and small biscuit for snack. Towards end of walk some of us walked more slowly as did I. I started to feel tired and ate some more. In the afternoon I had irregular heartbeat and was fairly certain it was afib. I felt very cold. I returned to normal rhythm later with 50mg flecainide.