Hydration and Afib paradox

[mirtilla]

All the cardiologists I have known suggest good hydration. I have paroxysmal Afib, and I noticed, like many Afibbers, that when I have a fibrillation I pee very often. Yesterday another Afib started, lasted six hours, and I delivered a total of 1 liter of pee. To replace it I should have drunk five glasses of water at the end ! Does it make sense to replace what your body wanted to eliminate? I understand the reason that during Afib the body wants to eliminate water (I read the clear explanation and the links given by CDreamer seven years ago). But I do not know why dehydration causes AF. Nor have I found answers on PubMed. Probably I was too superficial. Some Afib fellow sufferers explain me the link?

[BobD Volunteer]

The problem is not getting rid of water mertilla. The distressed heart secretes an enzyme which tells the body to shed salt which is does via the kidneys,. hence you pee a lot. The water loss is a result of this so should be replaced regardless of how inconvenient

[secondtry]

Good Q, not sure BobD has answered it. I am afraid I don't know why but my guess is staying hydrated, helps blood flow & reduces pressure on the heart to pump as hard, which in turn contributes to less AF triggering.

[Ilovedogs12]

Hi Mirtilla,You ask if it makes sense to replace the water our bodies eliminate.

I would say yes (but I have no medical training) because water flushes our system and gets rid of stuff that could cause problems. That's my own opinion.

I keep a glass in the bathroom cabinet and have a drink of water each time I pee including during the night. Last night I was up five times, a bit inconvenient, but I think I feel the benefit of being hydrated. Other nights I might only be up a couple of times.

And I'm retired so can sleep in for a while if I'm tired, but to be honest I'm not a good sleeper so it doesn't seem to affect me too much.

[Vonnegut]

It’s so long since I had an AF episode that I had almost forgotten about the urge to wee but since taking Flecainide regularly (at first as a PiP), I have not had an episode for well over a year. Still wake in the night for a wee or two but that has happened all my life! I tried drinking 2 litres of water a day but then realised I drink quite a lot of herbal tea anyway so a reasonable amount of water now along with herbal tea.

[Ppiman]

I know it goes against the grain on social media, but I can’t help thinking that the idea of “hydration”, even the very word itself, is more of a marketing myth than a common reality. Becoming dehydrated to the point of illness is very unusual unless you are prone, such as being old and infirm.

The body has a mechanism called homeostasis that preserves hydration and electrolyte levels perfectly. Drinking 1500-2000ml of fluids in any form including fruit and veg is all that’s needed and most of us do that. Coffee is fine and caffeine has been shown not to affect AF except on a very few who are unusually sensitive to caffeine.

Steve

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to Ppiman]

Hi Steve,I agree that most of us will never know real dehydration, and the idea of keeping hydrated is probably a marketing ploy by those that want us all to carry an expensive bottle of water at all times.

When we were young people would have laughed at the suggestion that we would pay a fortune for water in a bottle! Now some youngsters are aghast at the idea of drinking water delivered through a tap.

But I digress...

I do find though that I feel better keeping my water levels topped up. And I eat loads of fruit and vegetables, I'd rather have those than pastry or cake, so maybe I could do without some of the water and not have to get up so often through the night.

I don't take any vitamins or supplements because I have a good diet.

It's interesting that you say our hydration and electrolyte levels are kept at the right balance without bothering, I didn't know that.

Thank you, that's interesting.

[Ppiman]

We follow much the same ideas as you, trying hard to eat less meat and more fruit and veg. I wish I enjoyed fish as much as my wife does but I just can’t get to really enjoy it. My wife won’t leave the house without her bottle of water, either!

That process does everything for us, essentially. The body has evolved to be a wonderful thing. If only so much of it didn’t wear out so soon! 😳😉

Steve

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to Ppiman]

Neither of us are fans of eating fish but we eat small meat portions, mainly chicken.I have an excellent vegetarian cook book that I bought many years ago when my daughter decided to give up meat, and I usually make a vegetarian dinner one day a week. The Bean Book, it's all in the name.

[Ppiman in reply to Ilovedogs12]

We do sound similar!

Steve