Hypoglycemia and Afib...any connection? - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

33,730 members40,023 posts

Hypoglycemia and Afib...any connection?

Harrison1 profile image
26 Replies

Hello

I'm currently doing a 'ZOE' trial which is quite interesting. Part of that is wearing a device that tracks bloid sugars/glucose....i've read now that low readings (3.9 and below) is classed as hypoglycemia...this can happen in the night...which causes poor sleep, palpitations, arrythmias etc....i'm now wondering if this has been contributing to my episodes starting in the night.

Thoughts anyone? Cheers

Written by
Harrison1 profile image
Harrison1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
26 Replies

Hi I also did Zoe and found my glucose reading dipped into the red in the night. My understanding is that the monitor is aimed at diabetics and the dips in the night for people who are not diabetic is not a problem. However, I have atrial flutter and I also find that I have episodes which wake me in the night which I don't think is that uncommon. When I was wearing the monitor, although I had frequent dips into the red zone I did not have an episode of atrial flutter so I assume the two are not connected.

Harrison1 profile image
Harrison1 in reply toBorderterriorist

Thanks! Love Borders by the way! Yes I have PAF and i think mine is perhaps linked also.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I did the Zoe protocol when it first came out and had I think 2 occasions when my blood sugar dipped, certainly into the red zone, again at night. Certainly caused sleeplessness. As I have got older I don’t fast for as long as I used to, 12 hours or so whereas used to be 14-16 hours and sleep better for it. Down side is weight gain 🤷

Harrison1 profile image
Harrison1 in reply toCDreamer

Good to know. Thanks.

ForensicFairy profile image
ForensicFairy

Is this a medical trial? Wouldn’t they be collecting data and be able to advise? I have heard some links but not sure if there is anything peer reviewed and published. I’m sure there would be though.

AKatieD profile image
AKatieD in reply toForensicFairy

There will be a report at the end which will comment on how Harrison1's body is handling glucose and fats. It is not aimed at providing formal medical advice but nutritional recommendations.

They do produce published nutritional studies based on the collated data.

ForensicFairy profile image
ForensicFairy in reply toAKatieD

Oh, ok. So just another fad. I thought it was a real trial to collect medical data for research.

AKatieD profile image
AKatieD in reply toForensicFairy

Not sure it is fad and the purpose is to be scientific about it. I thought the info was useful and seemed accurate (I am rubbish at handling sugars, good at glucose).

But they are keen on directing you to a healthier diet by selling you a nutrition subscription, which was all well and good but not sure I would put in the effort needed to follow it.

Alicant profile image
Alicant

what is Zoe?

ForensicFairy profile image
ForensicFairy in reply toAlicant

See above.

AKatieD profile image
AKatieD

A personal nutrition programme, where the recommendations are based on testing glucose levels and stool samples to see how individuals process sugar and fat and what their gut microbiome is like.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

My ectopics can bring on AF and they are always worse if I let myself become especially hungry.

Steve

Cliff_G profile image
Cliff_G in reply toPpiman

Absolutely! Though I don't even need to be hungry, just not having eaten enough.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toCliff_G

Yes - much the same here. There's a definite link, it seems, Cliff. This week it's been especially noticeable but my AF has become much more frequent these days all round. Luckily, the symptoms are none too bad.

Steve

Cliff_G profile image
Cliff_G in reply toPpiman

I've concluded the vagal link is 2-way - if the heart is irritable it can make for wind in the gut, and if the gut is unhappy it will irritate the heart. Certainly is for me

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toCliff_G

There’s a definite connection but the heart has to be prone for me. Sometimes, there’s no effect, others lots. It’s a weird thing.

Steve

Harrison1 profile image
Harrison1 in reply toCliff_G

100% me is this Cliff, hence the Zoe study to try and help. Thanks.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply toPpiman

Same here. I often get afib episodes starting after too long a gap between meals.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toAuriculaire

Even worse, being French cuisine, that’s enough to send anyone’s heart racing!

Steve

Harrison1 profile image
Harrison1 in reply toPpiman

Not a fan of french food at all!

Singwell profile image
Singwell

From my experience- and I also did the Zoe Programme - yes. Notice if your glucose levels yoyo. Mine did. I adjusted my breakfast routine from rice milk (high GI) with oats to full milk keffir and a few oats and oatbran plus seeds and nuts. Made a big difference as I used to get high HR soon after breakfast, cause by a glucose spike. We're all individual so let the Zoe advice guide you towards what works best for you.

Harrison1 profile image
Harrison1 in reply toSingwell

Thanks!

MarkS profile image
MarkS

I have also used Zoe which I found very useful. I found I had a spike in blood sugar after breakfast. I thought I had a very healthy breakfast (bite size shredded wheat and home-made muesli). The muesli was fine but the shredded wheat caused the problem. I've now substituted low sugar granola and the spike has come right down. I'm just participating in a new trial.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply toMarkS

It is normal to have a higher spike in blood glucose after breakfast. Experiments have been done giving people the same meal for breakfast ,lunch and dinner. The spike is usually higher after breakfast.

Harrison1 profile image
Harrison1 in reply toMarkS

I bounce around 4.5 to 7 mainly...but it xan come down iver a 30-45 min window quite quickly.

I deal with Hypoglycemia and have most of my life most of my family has it also. I have often wondered the same thing you wonder. let us know what you find out as I also am curious I keep my carbs under 15 grams per meal and that seems to help.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

asthma and Afib connection.?

hi guys and girls, has anyone here got asthma as well as afib.? I ask this because my asthma...
Jetcat profile image

One Covid/Afib connection

I tested positive for Covid last week, and I was awakened the next night by a strong coughing...
fibnum profile image

Afib and night sweats

Does anyone get terrible night sweats with afib? I was diagnosed in April and have been having...

Awful bloating and Afib

Hi all, Has anybody ever suffered bloating and gas so awful they felt like their insides would blow...
DaveT81 profile image

AFIB and CBD use????

I am 57 and in relatively good shape. I have serious restless leg syndrome and on January 2nd...
Michaelwmd profile image

Moderation team

See all
HollieAdmin profile image
HollieAdminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.