A/fib question

[layla3]

can someone tell me why this happens please? On a couple of occasions after sitting down to eat a light lunch eg salad or crackers within 30 mins I have gone into A/fib

[jeanjeannie50]

I used to have the same thing and it was particularly annoying when I was out walking and stopped to eat lunch. I found that if just ate a banana and nuts lunch time I was fine. Think it may be flour that's the problem.

Jean

[stoneyrosed]

Like Bob D says if you have AF you will get AF and trying to find what your triggers are will drive you nuts. However many of us if not all of us have an afib attack shortly after digesting food/drink, The digestive system which is in close proximity to the heart tells us that the heart is unhappy with the process of digestion and also the heart during digestion has to work a little harder and can change its pulse rate. Lots of things can be the cause but hopefully meds and or an ablation can ease the burden of AF. Time for another chat with your GP maybe?

[Popepaul]

I think that eating a meal brings about short term changes in the cardiovascular system, pulse and blood pressure are likely to change. This is normal and is sometimes referred to as being post pandrial. I think that this makes afibbers more likely to go out of nsr after eating a meal, especially a large meal.This is just a reflection on personal experience but I suspect it may be true for many others.

Regards

[BenHall1]

Hi,

I don't agree with stoneyrosed or BobD. Heard and read this repeatedly over the years. Yes if you can identify a trigger it helps. Still no guarantees. That said .... I did, and successfully and I'm not insane. It was food. I didn't bother with a GP, most haven't any idea of AF or triggers or anything ..... they are purely generalists .... which is why we have specialists and EP's. However I did consult a Nutritionist ( a specialist ) and she opened diet pathways for me which tackled over many years and have now enanbled me to say I am AF free, would never say cured but certainly free.

On another point I suggest you read up on the vagal nerve, an information superhighway - quite complex - linking the brain with the heart and digestive system.

All depends on what medical practitioner you talk to. My Nutritionist got me going Gluten, wheat and oats free as a first step. She taught me how to widen this diet and to address the dark arts of food diaries to assist in the process.

Its not a quick fix is this, bit of a long walk and needs some patience ........ but at least nobody has tampered with my heart with cardioversions and ablations. I have also stayed on medication permanently, and plan to for life, I have never been involved in the PIP approach which seems in vogue at the moment.

The other thing is that AF is all things to all people so there are no rules set in tablets of stone or anywhere else. I was lucky I chose this route. Also, I moved very quickly and speedily in carrying out my solutions.

[secondtry]

I would say your Vagus Nerve and diet are the issues. Next stop experienced Nutrionist.

Be patient & persevere changing diet is not easy but rarely has any adverse side effects and the resultant calming of the VN takes time. It worked for me.

One tip from my Nutrionist, originating from Chinese healers, never put cold drinks into your stomach as it puts out the 'cooking pot' aka the digestive system.

[Gladstone001 in reply to secondtry]

A glass of cold water is an AF trigger for me. I believe that this is a vagal reaction.

[secondtry in reply to Gladstone001]

Snap also for me. Perhaps surprising I have started and stopped (on different occasions) an episode with a cold drink.

[doodle68]

Hi Layla when I first developed AF, the thing that took me to the GP was swallowing solid food made me want to pass out . I didn't notice the short episode of irregular heartbeat to begin with. I had it on and off for 2 weeks it was scary then only occasionally .

I have learnt not to eat big meals because it can trigger AF.