atrial fibrillation

[Topically]

hi , I’ve just been diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation and would love help and advice on food, also healthcare if anyone can help,

[mjames1]

An excellent start would be to read the book "The Afib Cure" by Dr. John Day.

Jim

[Topically in reply to mjames1]

Thanks I’ll look that up

[Topically in reply to mjames1]

thanks for your help

[Buzby62]

There’s lots to take in when first diagnosed, you will find reassurance from this forum but remember everyone’s experience of AF is different, I would advise to read up as much as you can to understand what type of AF you have and ask any questions on here.

You may get more responses if you fill a bit more info in your bio to show more about yourself and where in the world you are.

Here is a link to all the reading material on the AFA website heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

I would start with the AF Fact File and FAQ sheets and ask away back here.

Best wishes

[Topically in reply to Buzby62]

Thank you that is helpful

[BenHall1]

Interested in your post - particularly, unlike many, you ask for advice on food 1st and healthcare ( in general ) 2nd. I am wondering if you suspect that food is some sorta trigger that kicks off your AF. Also wondering if it is paroxysmal AF.

In my early days - way back in 2010 - I quickly identified food as a trigger for my AF and came to grips with this by consulting a Nutritionist or Dietician ( depending on what you call them in your part of the world ). Many people also find drinks are a trigger, hot and/or cold, alcoholic and/or non alcoholic, even ice cream for some.

[Topically in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks for your info, yeah I think food affects so much but not knowing much about Afib and definitely not an expert in anything, I’m curious, I haven’t been diagnosed from the consultant yet as to which type, and there’s so much online it’s scary

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Good diet healthy is basically the backbone Med diet with some greens or salad, tomatoes cooked and not cooked, beetroot, olives, walnut, olive oil, carrot I like grated with beetroot and bit cheese AND SALMON. Avocado is No.1 too. Red onion and celery whatever you like.

Meat if you like, chicken from whole, slow cooked beef cheek, fillet steak but if you have slow cook you can choose cheaper meats. The joy is to choose lean meats. Corned beef, sausage, and the salami is once a month. Lamb, pork lean is OK. Venison is lean. Spread a kiwi fruit and marinate 1/2 hr to 1 hour before cooked.

Beans, lentils, black beans, chick peas and brown rice or potato or kumera, make parsnip mash. Or pumpsin, butternut or buttercup mash nice. Use olive oil not butter or grated cheese.

Really a heathy diet is above or you may like something egg plant or capsium filled with delicious items.

Bread sour dough or wholegrain full grain is best. Whilst breakfast of wholegrain oats in water and put organic yoghurt and fresh fruit on top.

Keep salt and sugar way down.

Milk I use UHT or A2 milk.

Cocoa instead of chocolate. Coffee I have 1 a day.

Drink plenty of water unchlorinated, boil if necessary. Toothpaster baking soda.

No alcohol is best.

Have your COVID shots. I had No.8 yesterday no side effects.

Take your meds. Have a routine so no misses or double ups. Have a system that you are unlikely to forget.

Take your anti-co.agulant daily.

Blood test for B12, your thyroid levels TSH, T3 and T4. Thyroglubin serum and antibodies.

Iron, potassium, magnesium, selemium.

Heart measures, and kidney and Liver function.

Exercise.

Be happy there are people much worst suffering than yourself.

Relax and play. Hobbies, travel. Read and get research uptodate. Ask for a specialist to control symptoms. Go private if necessary.

Work hard but don't overdo the stress level.

Life is for lving.

Get a pet. Dogs are great company like cats etc.

cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)

[Topically in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thank you so much, so much advice and help

[Ppiman]

I am lucky to be being treated by a top team in a leading UK teaching hospital, and I asked similar question. I was told to ignore the nonsense found on the internet with its often covert commerciality, pushing all sorts of snake oil my way in the name of "cures" for this and that, and to live life normally aiming to eat healthily with a view to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, blood sugar level and blood pressure. I was told that these are the three most likely "causes" of heart issues that are within our individual control.

So that's what I try to do! I have to thank my lovely wife for helping me do it as, without her, I would surely succumb to my cravings for extra helpings of pudding or glasses of red wine or G&T.

Steve

[Topically in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you that is so useful to know, it’s easy to get lost looking online

[ozziebob]

And a good first step would be to request comprehensive blood tests to ensure you aren't deficient in any particular vitamin, mineral, hormone or electrolyte. My paroxysmal AF diagnosis coincided with a Vitamin D deficiency, a well documented cause of arrhythmias. And I was ignorant of this deficiency because most GP Surgeries in UK don't routinely check for Vitamin D deficiency.

And remember, while diet is an essential and important part of our attempts to lessen the frequency of AF events, some deficiencies will require supplementation to reach normal levels, as mine did.

PS. I forgot to add, correcting my deficiency has definitely lessened the frequency of my AF events (for details see my Bio).

[Topically in reply to ozziebob]

Thanks, I’ve been taking vit D since Covid, I haven’t seen the specialist yet so don’t know what type I have

[ozziebob in reply to Topically]

It's important to get tested so that you have a reference level of serum Vitamin D going forward. Supplementing with Vitamin D doesn't necessarily mean your levels will be in the desired range. You might be one of those patients that cannot absorb Vitamin D by supplementation. It's vital to know also whether you are taking too much or too little. Bob.

[WildIris]

My experience is: I was getting aFib for several hours 2 or 3 times a week. I found out I had kidney disease too (as well as lupus and high bp) and it was too much so I went on a kidney friendly diet, which is vegan, and no sweeteners at all, ever. Over about a year and a half, I lost 75 pounds (American), exercised regularly and realized I wasn't getting aFib any more. (also my kidney function was almost normal and my lupus undetectable.) Just saying, if you're really motivated and don't mind sitting out birthday parties etc., you could try this, though I think you have to go all in.

[Topically in reply to WildIris]

Thanks for that, I’m only just learning about Afib, I didn’t know it came and went , I don’t know if mine comes and goes as only just being diagnosed

[Buzby62 in reply to Topically]

From the AF Fact File api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Best wishes

Click screenshot to open up

[Topically in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks that’s very helpful

[2learn]

Hi, I had always exercised and liked exercise, so when I was first diagnosed I asked whether regular vigorous exercise would help. I was told no it may act as trigger for AF. So, regular exercise is good for body etc but not too intense. What's regular/intense will differ from person to person.

[Topically in reply to 2learn]

Thanks , that’s good to know