Caffeine advise

[AFADVISE]

I have recently been diagnosed with AF and advised to stop caffeine. Does anyone know if decaf is ok and already wandering about chocolate and decaf Diet Coke?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

A friend suffers from ectopic beats and was on medication for this. He is now off medication and rarely suffers an ectopic. This is the result of giving up caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and spicy food.

For a healthy coffee I would recommend Raw Bean Swiss Water Decaf from Waitrose as it is free from chemicals unlike many others. I would say Caffeine Free Diet Coke is fine but would limit it because if both the chemicals and because it is over sweetened which can make you crave sweet things.

[Hidden]

Hello AFADVISE,

I think caffeine is a strange drug and appears to effect folks in different ways.

Im one that can have the strongest black coffee before bed and still sleep like a baby, others {friends including} only need the weakest amount to have palpitations and be up all night.

My consultant said for me to lay off caffeine because it effects the way that some of the drugs I am on work, but remember that is just me.

I think the clue is in your wording, “I have been advised to stop caffeine “ I for one have never been a yes man, but even I bow down to knowledge that my team has.

I wish you well on your journey, and I’ve tried many caffeine free coffees, some a lot more successful than others

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Hidden]

Same here, I have double strength coffee, doesn't affect me at all.

[Frank1803]

I asked a consultant about decaff coffee he said it was fine.....I take 1 coffee per day ,anything else is decaff. They even gave me a coffee in the CCU in hospital

[jeanjeannie50]

There is a forum just for people with AF on Health Unlocked. This link will take you there:

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

After having AF for 16 years I've learnt so much by bitter experience. The main ones for me are not to consume anything containing artificial additives and sweeteners. So any diet items on the sweet side like diet cola would possibly contain them. Too much sugar, alcohol and caffeine can also be triggers for some. I drink both decaf coffee and teas. Losing weight if needed can reduce the amount of attacks.

I also feel that supplementing with magnesium glycinate capsules, taking vitamin C and B12 tablets have really helped reduce the severity of my AF.

Jean

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed with AF a few months ago, and was advised about possible triggers. I kept a diary of what I ate and drank, and found that the odd cup of coffee didn't have any effect, but more than one small beer or half a bar of chocolate did increase my heart rate. I've more or less cut those out now and it seems to have helped. It's trial and error, because different things affect different people.

[GracieOS]

Hi. I too was was advised to avoid caffeine. I drink decaf coffee, and the occasional real thing, and that seems fine for me.

[Becksagogo]

I've been on decaf coffee for 5 years now and it really does help. I certainly notice the difference when I have a regular coffee.With regards to drinks take a look at the natural ranges like fentemans and fever tree. Steer clear of anything purporting to be "diet," because they are usually full of aspartame which is a sweetener that is controversial!

[Jaws66]

I find decaf okay. I only eat chocolate in moderation so haven't had problems with it. You might find the first few days without it you feel a bit odd, but after that you'll be fine, plus I sleep better without it.

[chickeninthewood]

I used to have one very strong freshly ground beans coffee each morning before I got diagnosed, Now I realise that and most eating of meals, starts it off, I have Whole Earth caffiene free coffee substitute and it really does taste like coffee but it is actually chicory, barley, rye and figs! Those are good for heart health I think, So it's a win win for me,

[SLK-14]

Hello AFADVISE...I completely agree with the comments about decaffeinated coffee...but my biggest problem is salt...if I consume anything which contains too much salt my heart rate rises so quickly and makes me feel terrible...Good Luck 😊

[Janma123]

Hello AFADVISE, decaf tea is fine too - we drink T****y and my dad has Yorkshire, both taste the same as the ‘ordinary stuff!

[Hidden]

Do you mean is Decaf ok for AF, or ok to taste? If for AF, then I suggest ask your Doc... Taste? Lots of decaf tea and coffee available, so try them until you find one you like. When I stopped drinking large amounts of tea, I began getting very bad headaches, which I am told were caffeine withdrawal symptoms. My advice would be to stop slowly, maybe not having caffeine after lunchtime to start with and then reducing by an hour every few days.

[dunestar]

I'm fine with both decaf tea and coffee. Chocolate doesn't affect my AF. I'm not sure whether this is a good or bad thing as I eat too much of the stuff. I don't drink decaf Diet Coke. I'd be thinking what is in it if caffeine and sugars have been removed. Probably you are left with just coloured water. I've got to like drinking plain water. I find it refreshing and being well hydrated is essential for me in regard to AF. I ended up in A&E last year with an attack of AF caused by not being hydrated properly.

[OAPjust]

Hi there. I was also advised to avoid caffeine & I love a cuppa (of tea). I discovered that even decaf tea/coffee is not caffeine free, but that Red Bush tea IS. I was very doubtful that I would like the taste, but bought it to try, to my amazement, I really like it! Might be worth trying, sold in supermarkets and most cafes stock it too.

[Shopgal67]

Hi , I had palpitations last year and gave up alcohol and coffee . I have 2 decaf coffees a day and have 3 Squares of dark chocolate most nights , I don’t drink any type of soda and I’ve cut right down on salt and sugar . My palpitations have decreased significantly , I would also recommend you try yoga or qigong which helps you to breath and relax .

[Glasgowgirl1947]

I had AF when I went for my first checkup after Mitral and tricuspid valves op. Fortunately a course of Warfarine and Bisoprol sorted it but several years ago while working in an office I shared coffee buying with 2 colleagues. Unbeknown to us one of the ladies brought decaf coffee in. We all had severe headaches and felt very lethargic this lasted for a week, I won't tel you what we called her when we discover it but it wasn't very ladylike!lol

[JennyRx]

Decaff tea and coffee still has a bit of caffeine so it depends on how sensitive you are. Also quinine in tonic water and bitter lemon mixers can trigger AF. Meanwhile ‘low sugar’ Fevertree mixers use fructose which is a nightmare if you have T2D as it can only be metabolised by the liver. Thus impacting insulin resistance Which is just an aside as someone mentioned it.

[AFADVISE]

Hi I have bought a fit bit to monitor my heart rate but the hospital have said they are not accurate does anyone have any ideas of how to monitor my heart rate without doing it manually?

[ChoochSiesta in reply to AFADVISE]

I got a HRM from Argos. Seems accurate to me. argos.co.uk/product/8887012...