Foods That May Prevent Atrial Fibrillation

I am a new atrial fib patient. I am not sure if you have discussed this before, but just before I have an episode of AF, I have to urinate very frequently, sometimes going to the restroom 2 or 3 times. I do drink a lot of water each day, but is this a 'normal' symptom just before onset of AF?

Thank you + thanks for the interesting questions and answers found here!

Had my first SVt yesterday. 33 male nurse. Onset was abrupt and scary. Hr went to 234. EKG showed sinus tach. For the most part I live a very busy life. Work, school, maintaining my own home and the care of my 99 yo grandmother and mom with Trach care. I will Be seeing a cardiologist. Any advice for affective lifestyle modifications other than eliminating stress? Thanks

Hello all. I just had an episode of A-Fib a few days ago. Was in the hospital for 2 days. Right now my doctor is giving me metoprolol to control it. Last checkup he is surprised it isn't working. he doubled my dose and now im wearing a halter for 24 hours. Results next week. he says if it don't stop, im looking at a pace maker. Heart with sonogram was strong, looked great he said. he said this has happened to me from my sleep apnea. i do wear a cpap. anyways, i wanted to get your opinion on a pace maker. and if that seems like a good idea. I'm really scared as to all of this, im only 44 and when i found this site i wanted to get your opinion. Thank you so much for your time...

Mellanie, my husband is in permanent AF, discovered shortly before he was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune muscle disease called polymyositis - and AF is often found with this. 2 cardioversions didn't work for more than a week each, during which he felt good. Would you know, or be able to point me to, whether Ablation might be considered as having a chance of success? Thanks.

My A Fib always starts with what feels like a spasm or contraction in the top of my stomach then I feel my throat flutter right in the little depression on your lower neck. If I let is go on too long my heart starts to flutter too. I was in the hospital 2 years ago because I went to the emergency room and they admitted me. I told the Dr. I have to watch what I eat, if I eat too much it will trigger and attack. The Dr. gave me Bentyl for my stomach to control the attacks and it seems to do the job. I take a Bentyl when I and starting to have an attack and it stops in 30 minutes. No one believes me when I tell them food causes me to have an attack. Has anyone else heard of this?

just found this site today, great stuff! I am 42 and have had afib fo close to 5 years now. I was a tobacco user for many years (snuff) and have quit since last year....the 1 st couple of times i had episodes was in relation to drinking to much the previous evening...all that is behind me now, i even gave up caffeine...so i rarely consume alcohol, havnt had caffeine in a couple of years, i dont touch nicotine anymore....and i still get 2-3 episodes a year. i dont take any meds because they make me feel terrible, i do work out 3-4 days per week...i do believe that the right diet can help prevent afib, as aspartme has given me a flutter now and then, i just dont know what that diet is??
My doctor tells me to stop all these bad habits, which i did, butr she never mentions the stress that i have in my life and how that can be a possibility??
please comment....

I have had afib for the past three year. I have been converted 5 times and had 1 ablasion so far any advise. Im on thinners and digoxin.

Robyn, My post was meant for you. My A-fib is always brought on by sweets and skim milk fixes it.

Skim milk stops my A-Fib in its tracks

I think people should first concentrate on removing foods that may cause arrhythmia from their diet, and only after this focusing on foods that may prevent arrhythmia. Otherwise you're just fixing a symptom, not an underlying cause.

I've had arrhythmia for many years, and I managed to defeat it only by removing certain foods and drinks from my diet. I did not add anything new.
You can read my whole story (along with complete medical documentation) here:

http://www.mcarticles.com/a/how-i-cured-my-arrhythmia-a-personal-story

I found this web blog by accidentally typing a search backward in google.

I was trying to double back to again MAKE SURE I read correctly. The web site I was after is one I consult frequently because I'm no food genius. When I saw this I thought, ok, lets share.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=111

Scroll down until you hit his subtitle: Cardiovascular Protection from Omega-3 Fats, then READ.

Some of you may not like Tofu and Tempeh. In our situation its wise to overcome that unless you are seriously allergic. Not many are since tofu is used in a WIDE range of food manufacture.

I saw one gentleman post that hes about 62 and willing to change his diet rather than undergo any invasive procedure. I'm a vet. I had to have stents put in at a V.A. hospital. Yes its an emotionally frightening experience but you really don't feel it. Invasive these days isn't like it would be in the 1960's or so. Or Buddha forbid even earlier but I agree because there is a risk of a blockage breaking away and a stroke happening right on the table and you're awake to experience it. (No, I didn't.) But like you I have changed my diet radically. No fast food. My meat intake is close to zero. Most of my food is beans, veggies and tofu. I prefer bison burgers as a splurge once a month, if that. Most of my "junk food" comes from a health food store.

Thanks for listening to my little health food speech.

Namaste

My husband (64) was diagnosed with a-fib about 3 years ago. He has gone through 3 Cardioversions the 2nd worked about a year and a half the 3rd worked about 3 days than back to afiib then back to normal about 1 month later than back to afib about 2 months after that which was 4 days ago. So sad... This time is the worst yet. He is very busy and has will not stop his business, but he is exhausted. He is on so many pills and lost faith in his doctor since he didn't ask certain question upon his first visit 3 years ago and never told him to change his lifestyle or even ask his current lifestyle. Are there any foods or natural remedies that have helped others to put there heart back in rythym?

John had this question , I had a third episode A-fib a few days ago, and have been in Diltiazem for 6 months.
The doctor now wants to add flecainide to my daily regimen. Does anyone have any feedback about flecainide?
I used flecainide for 7 years without a recurrence of Afib, after I had a blockage of a coronary artery this could not be used, since then I have had two episodes of afib in 6 months.

Hello Mellanie and thank you for the information you delivered into cyber space for those who are seeking answers for this terrible health condition. You appear to be one holistic health practitioner who knows what they are talking about. Thanks are extended to the other posters before me who have given some good information also.

Do you know if Nattokinase helps AFIB? It is a natural clot buster without the side effects. Is anyone reading this taking Nattokinase for their AFIB?

Also, is it okay to take less than a cup of coffee in the morning if one has AFIB?

Thanks for your answer

Robyn, when you eat a meal with lots of carbs/sugars you get a serge of insulin. insulin can cause a shift in Potassium. It is moved from the blood stream into the cells. I have a problem with loosing potassium and recently found that out. Any time your potassium is messed up it could trigger a cardiac problem. Limiting your carbs will help your heart and also your blood sugar. I also use co-Q10 and it makes my heart feel calm instead of gittery. thanks Bev

It is a cardioversion. It can save your life. There is more than one way to do it. There is medication the ER can use to restore normal rhythm rather quickly. A mechanical cardioversion does NOT stop the heart, just corrects the rhythm. An ER doctor should not perform cardioversion. Only your cardiac electrophysiologist. Persistent atrial fib can lead to stoke and heart failure, so just living with it is deadly. Persistent A-fib absolutely requires a blood thinner to prevent blood clots which cause stroke.

I am in AFib right now as I write this. ugh :-( I was fine until I ate some blueberry yogurt and an English Muffin with Apricot Preserves. Seems that every time I eat something sweet other then natural sweets ( like apples, oranges etc,,, ) my ticker starts to freak out. It use to be just cold drinks that set it off. I use to be on Atenolol, but it starting affecting my speech and memory. I was so tired all the time I just decided to carry it with me just in case. I'm 48, and have had AFib for 7 years now. I DO NOT RECOMMEND getting Cardioverged. The ER Doc almost couldn't restart my heart after three attempts to bring it back to normal.

My episodes happen maybe once or twice a year. I started a Juicing regiment and also started adding Green Magma to my drinks. Great stuff!!! I guess I need to lay off the sweets. Any one out there have the same issues?

Thanks, Robyn

Dear Christine

you said you used hawthorn for your heart abnormalities. Was it atrial fibrillation for which you used hawthorn? also pls. tell how do you use hawthorn? Do you take the leaves or you process them or you buy in packages from market? Also where can I find Hawthorn. In country hawthorn probably isn't grown.

Please tell details. Thanks and best regrads.
M.K. Anwar

Hi. I have had A/F for many years but now feel so tired and worn out. Is there anything I could take like a tonic which could help?
thank you

I had a third episode A-fib a few days ago, and have been in Diltiazem for 6 months.
The doctor now wants to add flecainide to my daily regimen. Does anyone have any feedback about flecainide?

Greetings Mellanie,

I am a 51 y o male. As recent as last week I was diagnosed with Arrhythmia; Atrial Flutter. I was also told my heart rate is low around 70 bpm. In addition I have sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Which my understanding complicates my arrhythmia issue. My doctor has me on Pradaxa. I have always been physically active and very competitive. My doctor has ordered me to stop working-out until my next office visit in 3 weeks. Is Arrhythmia for life? What should I expect to hear from the doctor on my next office visit?

Congratulations on your forum, I’m so thankful for finding your website on the internet.

Regards,

Vernell Burris, Jr.

I have had 5 episodes of atrial fibrillation where I have undergone cardioversionand one where I did not.
During the first episode the EMT from a local Rescue Squad, entered my home and began talking with my husband about his artwork. When he tried to get her to take a look at me she literally told my husband I just wanted attention and if they waited long enough I would "snap out of it". That since I" was a woman I was probably just having a panic attack."
Finally and reluctantly she checked my heart rate which had come down and was only 230 bpm with a blood pressure of 225/127 . (I usually have a bp of 120/60).
My heart rythum returned to normal but when the EMT gave me a drink of water I could not swallow and I could not speak. Fortunately I recovered within minutes but for three years after I had trouble finding the right word when speaking, spelling, some of my long term memory was affected and my higher math skills were gone.
When the future arrythmias began my husband called 911 immediately and I under went chemical cardioversion (i.v. administered Adenosine) enroute to the ER. (By the time the EMT's arrived my heart rate was 315 bpm and bp was in the 220-225/125-150 range.

I am so thankful that this website exists and that information about Atrial Fibrillation is being dispersed to the general public. I only hope that EMT's, especially EMT's in rural areas, like mine, are being educated about this as well.
I hope no other woman has to go through what I did because of ignorance.

Sorry, I mispelled my last name in my comment. It is Basel not Bael. Would still like some suggestions/feedback. Thanks.

I have just been diagnosed with A-Fib. I have been on Warfarin for several years because of a blod clot in my lung and it has brought me this far. I would prefer to change my eating habits, lifestyle, whatever it will take not to have an invasive surgical procedure (only as a last resort). I am willing to change my life style. I am 76 y o and am an not a person who could be happy becoming a couch potatoe. I have read some articles and most seen to encourage a healthy diet. Please give me some feed back on where I can get the information I need. Carolin

Im new to Afib and want to know how do people live with constant Afib?
I cant do anything Im too tired and weak during Afib. I am 68 and in very good health

how do you know of you have chronc or paroximal?

Hi, my comment is for Judi Neto. Judi I read your story and felt the need to write you. I read where you are taking aspirin and I had to question you on it. If you are on aspirin therapy, I would be concerned if I were you, because aspirin is said to cause kidney problems. And can also cause bleeding even on low doses. Google this: Can aspirin cause kidney problems. You will be surprised to see what comes up. If you need to take aspirin, look into taking ginger (powdered) instead. Ginger capsules are actually better than aspirin, not to mention safer, with no side effects that come from aspirin. As for your concern about bleeding with Omega 3's, I would not worry unless you are taking over 3grams. Normal doses of fish oil should be fine and not cause any concerns of bleeding. Always follow the directions on the bottle too avoid taking to much of anything. Alpha lipoic acid is suppose to be great for many ailments including heart problems like a-fib, and many other ailments, may even be helpful too your kidneys. It is worth the try, since it is said to be safe. Anyway, I would stay clear of aspirin especially since you are already with stage 2 kidney problems. Aspirin will complicate things for you. Sadly, doctors do not tell patients these thingsfor whatever reason. And I would not listen to any doctor who tells me to continue to take aspirin with an existing kidney problem. It is a serious issue. I think the more healthier things you put in your body the better your body is going to be. Things like aspirin, are the same as taking a spoon of poison with your coffee, if you know what I mean. Natural things like ginger are safe and healthy, not to mention kind to the body. I wish you well, and hope you can turn your health problems around. :)
Here is an article from a Dr. Merolas website about aspirin causing kidney problems:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/02/13/aspirin-kidneys.aspx

Hi I'm 48 &male, I also have suffered from a fib for many years, have tried everything but abluton I think it's called.

I take a cartia ( orange pill once a day) this makes me feel lethargic & so on.

what is hawthorne

Regards shane

Quick note about digitalis (Digoxin) and hawthorn. Hawthorn increases the effect of digitalis, so should not be used without consulting your doctor. Digitalis dose would have to be decreased accordingly.

Hawthorn leaves have actually been found to be the better source over the berries and are used by the professional supplement companies supplying to healthcare practitioners. Always go with a reliable company that standardizes their products for consistent strength and quality--generally for content of vitexin-2-rhamnoside and catechin polymers.

The first time I had AF was several years ago. Two family members in separate incidents died in one week while I was on a cruise. I was the executor for one of them. I attributed the AF to stress. both incidents lasted over 10 hours. The next time it happened I'm positive it was caffien. I always ask for decalf but people are lax and think it won't matter. This month I have had 2 incidents of 4 hrs each, in my sleep!!! This is scarey.
It seems my heart does not like me laying on my left side. I kid you not.
I am 68 years old, feel pretty good; recently separated, and recently in college. I was told last month I have stage 3 kidney disease. Which means my GFR (filtration rate) has diminished. A normal progression of old age. My GFR is 5 3 and it should be over 60 preferably 90. So the two health issues are very stressful.
IM LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL DIET FOR AF or safe drug AS WELL AS A DIET FOR STAGE 3 KIDNEY DISEASE. (stage 5 is dialisis or transplant) I did read about walnuts and Omega -3 for AF. But Omerga 3 can cause bleeding and I am on aspirin therapy. I would love to have an "abilaton" but my Dr will not allow. The success rate for eradicting AF is above 80%
So that is my story, and I am freaking out.
Is it Ok to exercise? Just walking OK? December 2, 2010

I have LAF and have had two attacks both at Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving the attack lasted for 7 hours. Does anyone know if eating turkey may have something to do with the attacks?

I have been using Hawthorne for about one year now and it works to regulate my heart rhythm.
Before I started using it my heart was so bad I was constantly terrified.
I would wake up many times during the night and no matter what I did it would not stop.
I went to one Dr who prescribed some medicine which I would not take and I looked up Hawthorne and it works wonders.
It has been used as a treatment for heart issues for many many years.
It also has great anti-oxidant qualities.
Do your research and you will find it does help a lot.
:)

my grandma has Atrial Fibrillation and refuses 2 take pills, so she wants to know what is the best foods she can est? , som1 pls answer

I have just begun taking Norpace .

I just started taking Norpace for my a-fib. Is anyone taking it?

James,

I'm not familiar with hawthorne berries with digoxin. You might post a query on Hans Larsen's Lone Atrial Fibrillation forum (you'll find the link in our Afib Forums section). They are the experts on diet and supplements, and I know that Hans has some strong feelings on diogixin based on his research.

As a triathlete, you may find Ralph Miller's story (http://www.stopafib.org/ralph.cfm) to be of interest. He shared the impact meds had on his athletics.

Good luck.

Mellanie