Another electrolytes data point.

[Cliff_G]

Calcium.

Long AF history, ablation 2002, AF returned 2018 due to open heart op. Then 2nd ablation Sept. 2024. Meanwhile (2010-ish?), I found I was dairy (and wheat) intolerant, gave up all dairy and started calcium supplementation at 400 mg/day (on top of Ca-fortified soya milk).

This last Xmas I stopped the calcium as I didn't think it was doing anything. How wrong I was. My 2024 ablation had been settling nicely but on 2nd Jan just, I went back into fib. I wondered if losing the calcium was the reason. Restarted it but at 2 x 400 a day. Fib progressively reduced during January, and in spite of the risk of provoking this accursed condition, I will say I have now had a good week of NSR, with hardly any PVCs, either (4000/day before), and a very steady heart rate instead of very labile. Looks to me that even on 400 mg/day I was marginal, and that 800 mg/day is what I need. I think the adult dietary need is about 1500 mg.

Usual story, no electrolyte abnormalities picked up on any blood tests.

Fingers crossed for the long term.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hmm, that's interesting Cliff. I had a look at what foods contain calcium:

Oranges

Sardines

Apricots

Eggs

Kale

Nuts

I eat all of the things in that list apart from Kale. There's some added to my lactose free milk too. I don't know why but I've always thought it a dodgy vitamin to top up on. Seems to help you though, so I will research some more.

Jean

[Cliff_G in reply to jeanjeannie50]

There are quite a few calcium calculators on-line. Search for the Royal Osteoporosis Society "Calcium-rich food chooser" page, and one is linked there. The non-dairy foods are lower in calcium, except for eat-all bony fish such as pilchards

[Barny12]

Nothing is ever simple.

As someone who eats a mostly plant-based diet I've always been careful to make sure I was eating plenty of calcium rich foods and taking a multivitamin containing calcium. However, I was recently diagnosed as having osteoporosis. One of the things I've since discovered are that a lot of the good healthy veg I was adding to my calcium rich foods were oxylates - food that reduce calcium absorption eg: kale, spinach, beans, skin on potatoes, rhubarb, almonds, tofu etc.

Sigh.

[Cliff_G in reply to Barny12]

Also have you been supplementing vitamin K2 (assuming you probably are supplementing vitamin D)? Read "Vitamin K2 And The Calcium Paradox: How a Little-Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life" by Kate Rheaume-Bleue. Well researched and disputes the ideas that most people get enough from food, and that there is conflicting research on the subject - it's actually very clear.

[wilsond]

Thanks for sharing this. I am going to be asking my EP in March about this as I have been prescribed calcium supplements due to recently diagnosed osteoporosis. My concern is that I have a bicuspid aortic valve with mild stenosis and worry that extra calcium might aggravate this.( I fear OHS very much)

The valve only has 2 flaps instead of 3 so usnt very efficient.

I hope I can take calcium with confidence though.

Best wishes ❤️

[Cliff_G in reply to wilsond]

Worth reading up on the roles of vitamins D and K2 in relation to calcium. K2 is important in making the xalcium go to the bones.Don't be fearful of OHS for the BAV, it's a big operation, yes, but I know many who have had it and done very well.

[wilsond in reply to Cliff_G]

I will read up ,thank you. That's reassuring to read regarding the OHS,Cliff. X