Just wondering am I ok to eat liquorice sweets with HF
Liquoice sweets : Just wondering am I... - British Heart Fou...
Liquoice sweets
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Sanpedro2019
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Liquorice is a bit dodgy with heart failure & some heart meds. I believe it raises BP, can cause palpitations & increase potassium, amongst other things. Do you have a heart nurse you can ask or maybe phone the BHF nurses?
Thank you will phone them tomorrow
MichaelJHHeart Star
Occasional small amounts are probably OK but larger amounts can increase blood pressure and cause irregular heart rhythms. Here's the NHS link: nhs.uk/common-health-questi...
Thank you
Michael, via the link: “...you should avoid eating large amounts of black liquorice over a short space of time...”.
This advice is not greatly helpful IMHO. What is a “large amount”? Is the implication that a “small amount”, whatever that is, over a “short space of time” or maybe a “long period of time”, would be ok? I hope there’s guidance with greater clarity.
Because people vary vastly in fitness, weight, constitution and individual response there is no right answer. The only thing I have seen suggests two ounces per day for a fortnight would cause issues with BP, heart rhythm and potassium levels. To further complicate things Mr Bassett has lots of sugary add ons rather than pure liquorice. I would say a couple of sweets a day providing there is no AF or signs thereof would be fine. But have a couple of "dry" days per week.
Mmmm...in those circumstances I would do as others have said and abstain completely rather than be rationed to a couple of sweets a day, a few days a week. I'm not someone who can ration myself with treats. I stay away from them then, occasionally, scoff a packet of them.
Well I never knew that!
Looks like Bertie Bassett won't be paying a visit to my house any time soon.
Stick with gin!! X
Been warned off gin as well! Seen my HF nurse on Tuesday and mentioned that I woke up in the night occasionally with cramp in my legs- She suggested Fever Tree tonic water (without the gin)!
In consolation the tonic water is very nice.
Not really a fan of tonic water, but prepared to give it a go if it stops me waking up in the middle of the night feeling like a sumo wrestler has been sitting on my legs
Tonic water can cause heart rhythm disturbances too. 😥
So it can, that's something else I've learnt this week 😢😢
Schweppes brand also has Quinine in it. Some types don't and it's that which can help with cramps.
I love liquorice but am on warfarin now so told I shouldn’t eat it, although the nurse said I could have the occasional piece! As if I could do that - get the taste of soft liquorice and I could eat the whole packet, so better off steering clear of it altogether ☹️
Wendy
Hi, I was advised by my cardiologist many years ago not to eat liquorice as it depleted potassium levels, vital to the heart.
I have high blood pressure and told not to touch it as it put bp up.
I love all the random stuff you learn here! Not once have I been given any advice about what I should or shouldn't do/eat other than stay a healthy weight and exercise regularly as the drugs made me so ill. I'm slim & run regularly so was a bit stable door...
I am dairy intolerant so don't eat all the usual pleasures... chocolate, ice cream, cream cakes etc but give me a box of liquorice anythings & I am quiet till its done! Whoops! Looks like HF takes even that small pleasure from me now! Grrrrr....
in reply to CraftyGirl72
Since you like the random stuff - here's another.
Everyone knows that there is 1760 yards to a mile - but did you know that a nautical mile has 2000 yards
I was admitted with AF and was assessed if I ate lots of liquorice (along with other things of course)as it can trigger AF if you eat lots
Guess it goes with those with those useful terms
a little of what you fancy ....and in moderation......
Liquorice is one of my Afib triggers, but we're all different, just a heads up though.
I like licorice too! Am beginning to learn the number of things that don't combine with HF & the meds e.g found that the remedy I bought for a terrible cold was contraindicated. We really do need to be given more comprehensive info at the start.
I got hot flushes when I was first put on all the meds after my HA, so I reached for the Oil of Evening Primrose tablets that had served me so well through my menopause... only to find that, no, I can longer take those 
Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a key ingredient in cold and flu remedies (lemsip etc) and can cause heart arrhythmias. It is another of my Afib triggers....works every time
I had no idea about liquorice
A little late to reply to this but have only just read the thread.
No one has mentioned about common sense or a little of what you fancy does you good - or should I say can do you good. One piece of liquorice surely won't kill you, just as one boiled sweet or one piece of chocolate. It's when the one becomes a binge where the packet or bar goes and if that's the case, then unfortunately the best idea would be to forgo the treat altogether, as a former smoker or drinker has to accept as a fact of life.
If people who are recovering from a heart issue have been advised about exercise and weight levels, surely sweets would be a treat anyway - to be enjoyed at Christmas maybe?
The question of sweets is not an issue with me since I am diabetic and even one bit can have phenomenal effect on my blood sugar levels.
