overhydration?

[tom0985]

I’ve found twice in the last couple of weeks I’ve had an episode last 1-2 hours. I have PAF and fairly new (2 years) to AF. The only two things I can pin point I did on the same day was have a banana and drank a lot more water than I would normally have. So i guess my question is, is too much water a potential trigger?

[JudiHalf]

Hi, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why you have an afib episode, I know for sure that chocolate is a trigger for me, I avoid the usual suspects like alcohol, caffeine and rich or spicy foods.

I have a banana every morning with my cereal and it has never affected me, but we are all different.

How much water did you drink?

[tom0985 in reply to JudiHalf]

Thanks for your response. It was no more than 1.5 - 2 litres however I drank over half of that within an 1-2 hour window

[JudiHalf in reply to tom0985]

I’ll often drink a pint of water in one go, so that doesn’t seem too excessive but with a fib you never know!

[Singwell in reply to tom0985]

So it's possible that you are low on a mineral and that when you over hydrated (as you put it) the key mineral levels for optimal.heart function got messed up. Just a hypothesis. Ask your GP to check your bloods - we need adequate levels of sodium, magnesium and potassium in our system to function well. I've previously been found low on sodium when ending up in A and E with AF. We need around 6gms of salt intake a day.

[2learn in reply to tom0985]

Hi, what were you doing to cause you to drink more, could it be that was the trigger

[tom0985 in reply to 2learn]

Hi, nothing as such I think it was just trying to start the day off with getting my quota of water in

[Jackiesmith7777 in reply to tom0985]

My husband is in permanent AF so he can eat or drink anything apart from caffeine and alcohol, on the bright side lol as doesn’t make a jot of a difference

[Popepaul]

To my mind it does not seem likely that this quantity of water would trigger an afib episode. Good hydration should encourage nsr. It is however fairly likely that over hydration for a sustained period of time would lead to an electrolytic imbalance which would likely bring on an afib episode.

[BobD Volunteer]

Quote from my EP. " looking for triggers is the way to madness" You have AF you will have AF.

[Threecats in reply to BobD]

That’s true in part Bob but, whilst I wouldn’t want to gainsay your EP, had I not looked for the trigger for my nighttime AF episodes I wouldn’t have discovered I have sleep apnoea.

[jeanjeannie50]

I disagree with Bob's EP. Artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my AF.

Jean

[Threecats]

Hi Tom, I’ve certainly triggered an AF episode through drinking a lot of water too quickly in the past. As I understand it, doing that upsets the electrolyte balance, in particular sodium, leading to temporary hyponaturia until the kidneys have caught up and excreted the excess water. It’s the low sodium level which can trigger AF.

[Buffafly]

Also bloating…..

[bean_counter27]

According to Medical News Today website "Dehydration and overhydration can both lead to an imbalance or lack of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. This may trigger A-fib symptoms"

[OzJames]

hi Tom I too have daily bananas and no problems. Is the water really cold? I’ve heard really cold drinks can trigger things.

Bob is right in the sense we can go mad looking for more and more triggers especially as AF becomes more frequent. I know mine are eating too quickly, alcohol or caffeine and then exercise within a few hours.

One thing I did when I got a few episodes in a year was to check all my blood work. I was low in magnesium, vitd3 and CoQ10. Since I started supplementing I have only had 1 episode in 12 months.

I have also stopped alcohol aside from zero beer and a taste of my wife’s wine at dinner and I drink decaf coffee or herbal teas and continue to exercise daily. Who knows if it’s one or a combo of the things I’m doing. In addition my Cardiologist has me on 9.5mg of Metoprolol which he feels may help temper the adrenaline spike that can sometimes kick off my ectopics or AF. The EP I saw before Christmas called it a homeopathic dose!

[Jajarunner]

It will dilute your electrolytes if taken to excess. You could had a hydration tablet like High Five zero to balance the minerals.

[Ppiman]

I was thinking that it might not be the water itself, but its effect on your stomach, which will depend upon how quickly it empties itself. A full stomach, or even certain body positions, can press against the sheet of diaphragm muscle above it bringing it against the base of the heart. This mild irritation can cause palpitations which, in prone individuals, can trigger AF.

From what I have read, problems caused by excessive fluid intake are entirely possible but unusual and tend to occur over the long term being an effect of reduced levels of electrolytes and water soluble vitamins.

I doubt the banana was implicated at all!

Steve

[Mugsy15]

Your AF was clearly not triggered by consumption of excess water as you didn't. You also make it clear that you don't habitually drink even that quantity of water, so it's not electrolyte depletion either, although Threecats' theory about a very short-lived imbalance may have merit.

I recall some time ago having a discussion with my arrythmia nurse about drinking lots of water in one go and it's affect on my heart rhythm; she was of the opinion that repeated swallowing can act as a Vasovagal manoeuvre (a technique designed to simulate the Vegus Nerve and thereby affect heart rhythm).

We have seen many times in this forum that what can trigger some people from AF to Sinus Rhythm can also have the opposite effect.

Just something else to consider!

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Good question, I am sure the members on the forum will offer their own advice and experiences with you. If you would like any advice or information, please feel free to contact our Patient Services Team; heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

You may also find it helpful to download our 'AF and You' booklet from the AF Association webpage; api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

booklet

[Jetcat]

it maybe the water has flushed electrolytes out??? I maybe wrong but just a thought.

[Vicmeister]

There are certain triggers that will bring on AF. For me drinking anything cold and drinking it fast will bring on AF. I have to let my water sit to room temp before I will even attempt to drink it.

[Dollcollector]

Was the water icy cold? That could trigger a.f and stop it.

[tom0985 in reply to Dollcollector]

No not was normal tempterature

[Peacefulneedshelp]

You could have possibly thrown off your electrolyte balance. I found I too was drinking too much water which IMO caused the AF. I stopped drinking too much plain water and drink more coconut water, and juice, sometimes I cut the juice with water especially grape juice. I also drink bottles Italian water as I learned all Italian water is pH balanced. Experiment with those ideas and pay attention to what is happening.

[tom0985 in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

That’s really useful thank you, I have been tempted to try coconut water - does it contain some better stuff?

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to tom0985]

It has all the electrolytes. It has stopped an AF episode in its tracks shortly after having a cup or so of coconut water. I was amazed. Again you have to find the brand you like. I like Zico brand or my local Trader Joe's brand.

I make sure I take Magnesium/Calcium supplement as well. If I don't after about 3 days I will have muscle cramps.

Our bodies are a fine balance anything can upset that balance and bam! into AF we go.

I also disagree that we can't find our triggers, we may find some of them. All of the balance starts in the liver. I have suspected that for a long time. Liver, to thyroid, to cardiovascular. If the liver sets off stress hormones because we don't eat right or our bodies get something it doesn't like, ex: chemicals for some of us. Something triggers off.

[tom0985 in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

Really useful - thank you I’m gonna try that. Assume to also have plain water aswell during the day?

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to tom0985]

Of course. Drink when you're thirsty. But we don't need to over hydrate. The next thing we all should research is what depletes our electrolytes. I am going to guess, it's stress. We all agree stress brings on AF.

[Nigel2016]

I have AFib along with seizures. A couple of years ago, I drank too much water over the course of a day and it triggered a GrandMal seizure because it took too many minerals/electrolytes out of my system for that period. So, it's keeping it all in balance.

[Blearyeyed]

It's difficult to pinpoint , although it could be an electrolyte imbalance.The banana could also be the culprit if you are already too high in potassium at the moment.

If you've drank more than the standard 2 litres of fluids you could be low on salts if you are also going to the toilet a lot , or you are on a very low sodium diet or have been exercising.

Maybe if you drank too much in one go it could cause an issue but only if you have a salt imbalance in the first place.

People forget that we can lose a lot of salt through the skin in winter when we wear a lot of warm clothing as we still perspire.

I'd agree with others and suggest you speak to the GP and get a kidney function ( electrolytes) test and Magnesium if they will do it as if that is high or low it can cause heart rate changes. Don't let them put you off by telling you just to change what you eat and drink either. You need to keep well hydrated to help your body function properly and a banana is a healthy option so if there is a salt issue it needs diagnosing so you know what to change to correct it.

Let us know what the outcome is , take care , Bee

[tom0985 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you