I have seen where cold showers/splashing cold water on face can terminate an AFib attack, but this never worked for me. However, after 2 recent acute attacks when sleeping, I took Metoprolol and then Flecainide twice, and then an hour or so later taking a hot shower terminated both attacks within a couple minutes while still in the shower.
Has anyone else experienced this, and does this appear to be another way to stimulate the vagal nerve to shut down an attack? I know the meds may have helped, but the hot shower was the trigger to shut them down. Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks!
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shawn713
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I tried turning the shower to cold after people on this forum said how healthy it was to finish with this. Then I got pneumonia, so wont be doing that again!
Many years ago after deciding I needed to go to A&E because of my high heart rate. I would take a shower before I went and quite often this would put me back into normal rhythm. So yes, even a hot shower, alongside medication would often work for me.
I've been in constant AF now for 5 years but fortunately it's now at a much lower rate flitting between 60-90bpm. Have had 3 ablations and numerous cardioversions and was told when I went into AF after these procedures that I wouldn't be offered any more of either again. My EP discharged me from his care saying some people aren't helped by them and I was one of them.
I now do all I can to avoid any food or drink containing artificial additives. I know for sure that artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger for my AF. Just wish I'd known that before having any procedures.
I still take Metoprolol but dropped Flecainide as after taking it for many years a new cardiologist, looking at my ECG, told me it was causing more harm than good. Feel so much better now without it.
Thank you, currently prescribed Flec and Metropolol PIP. Flec 100mg to Max 300mg in 24 hr period and Metropolol 25mg with the Flec. Was originally 50mg Metropolol but found to be too strong- causing Bradycardia. Cheers Cam
Hi, A hot shower lowers blood pressure so could have been a reason to stop an attack. I have low blood pressure and have been told not to have a hot shower because of this very reason. Good it works for you, so brilliant.
How interesting, about lowering blood pressure. A hot bath with scented oil is one of the few treats left to me now I don’t drink and try not to eat chocolate. I put Epsom salts in the bathwater, for the magnesium. I always worry though whether the hot water might set off my AF or raise my BP. Knowing it can actually lower BP is liberating!
The more time passes from my initial diagnose and the amount of experiences I read, the more I give up in tracking all the possible triggers and actions to stop afib. This thing is soooo wide. I personally stopped my last two episodes (over a year ago) with a simple valsalva manuver (sitting and pushing hard the air through barely opened mouth, like going on toilet but more strongly). It stopped my afib both times in a matter of seconds. In contrast, with medicine it took 2 or 3 150mg propafenone tablets and 30-40min to stop the episodes.
Everybody is reacting differently and has different ways of stopping it.
Over 11 yrs I have developed my own theory on the 'mongrel condition' and that is it is triggered by not one thing but an accumulation of factors (mainly poor lifestyle choices) reaching a tipping point. It also seems logical to me that it could therefore be 'cured' or reduced to an acceptable QOL by a combination of factors, not just lifestyle changes, pills or ablation. There are exceptions of course to this theory eg extreme athletes and those with comorbidities.....and some lucky guys 😁.
I have found that if I get very cold sitting around outside or think an AF attack might be starting a hot bath relaxes me and I think it keeps the AF at bay.
I remember getting in a cold shower when I had an episode..nearly gave myself a bloody heart attack. Seeing Win Hoff doing his ice baths puts the fear of god in me lol. But never tried a hot shower,,,I will next time and see how that works. Great you seem to have found your way to return to NSR
Msg definitely sets my heart off into ectopics and palpitations. Had done for years before I was diagnosed with PAF. Can't eat Chinese food because they use it.
My own experience is that when then my atrium is sensitive to AF, which seems to happen weekly or fortnightly, then a range of things can set off AF. It can be any kind of confrontational stress, walking up a slope or stairs, leaning forward over a table eating a meal, or having a drink. I would guess having a shower, and perhaps even stepping onto the bath might do it.
That happened to me too -- twice. Both times I was in the process of taking a quicky shower before going to the ER for my a-fib attack, but the shower self-converted me back to NSR.
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