Comments on: The Role of Coffee in Atrial Fibrillation http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/ From StopAfib.org - For Afib Patients, By Afib Patients Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Matt http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-3057 Matt Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:02:24 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-3057 I did also have a sleep study which show no sleep apnea. I did also have a sleep study which show no sleep apnea.

]]> By: Matt http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-3056 Matt Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:07:06 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-3056 I'm 35 and have had a least a weekly afib episode since mid January 2010. I honestly don't know if I had it before that. I never smoked, rarely drank, and when I did only in moderation. I think I have a genetic disposition to high cholesterol and I'm just barely overweight. Other than that I'm pretty healthy. I used to consume quite a bit of caffeinated soda and tea. I haven't had coffee in maybe 15 years. I cut out caffeine cold turkey after the first episode. Now I'm wondering if a little wouldn't help. My episodes seem to happen when I have a lowered heart rate, like when I sleep. I usually wake up with it on the day I get it. I've been exercising to convert to sinus for almost every episode since mid February early March. I'm on beta blockers and I used to take another 50ml when I had afib, now I take 50 a day and I'm cutting back slowly to 25, and I don't take any to convert. I usually convert within minutes after exercising. I wonder if the beta blockers don't cause me to have more regular episodes since they keep my rate lower. I would like to get off them completely to see. I've continued to drink soda but only caffeine free and usually diet. For the past week I've been unknowingly drinking caffeinated diet soda. I've felt quite a bit better than I have in a while and so far I'm a few days out from my normal weekly episode. It would seem that if my lower rate causes my episodes then giving my heart the occasional kick, as long as it is in moderation, wouldn't be a bad thing. Nothing like being a walking experiment... I’m 35 and have had a least a weekly afib episode since mid January 2010. I honestly don’t know if I had it before that. I never smoked, rarely drank, and when I did only in moderation. I think I have a genetic disposition to high cholesterol and I’m just barely overweight. Other than that I’m pretty healthy. I used to consume quite a bit of caffeinated soda and tea. I haven’t had coffee in maybe 15 years. I cut out caffeine cold turkey after the first episode. Now I’m wondering if a little wouldn’t help.

My episodes seem to happen when I have a lowered heart rate, like when I sleep. I usually wake up with it on the day I get it. I’ve been exercising to convert to sinus for almost every episode since mid February early March. I’m on beta blockers and I used to take another 50ml when I had afib, now I take 50 a day and I’m cutting back slowly to 25, and I don’t take any to convert. I usually convert within minutes after exercising. I wonder if the beta blockers don’t cause me to have more regular episodes since they keep my rate lower. I would like to get off them completely to see.

I’ve continued to drink soda but only caffeine free and usually diet. For the past week I’ve been unknowingly drinking caffeinated diet soda. I’ve felt quite a bit better than I have in a while and so far I’m a few days out from my normal weekly episode. It would seem that if my lower rate causes my episodes then giving my heart the occasional kick, as long as it is in moderation, wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Nothing like being a walking experiment…

]]> By: M Hoyt http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-3002 M Hoyt Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:16:07 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-3002 I was 42 when I first got afib. I am an avid runner and I feel I am in great shape. The day of my first afib, I ran a 5K. I ate a banana and water afterwards and came home and took a shower. After the shower I began feeling dizzy. My wife is a nurse. She listened to my heart and knew exactly what it was. I was put on blood thinners and overnight in the hospital I went back to sinus rhythym. This last weekend, it happened again (2nd time). I ran a 5K trail run and was feeling fine afterwards. After the race I ate a banana and had gatorade. I stopped for drive through lunch on the way home (Chicken sandwich). At home I took a shower and 10 minutes later it happened again. The first time, I used to drink at least 5 cups of coffee a day in addition up to 2 Monster Coffee Energy drinks (equiv to 7 cups of coffee each - equiv 12-19 cups a day). I loved energy drinks. After my afib, I went down to 1 cup a day and NO more energy drinks. In March 2010, I decided to give up coffee for lent. And I did. This last Friday evening, I had a cup of coffee for the first time in two months. I don't know if it is related, but in the next 14 hours, I didn't sleep well. I ran the 5K trail race and I go into afib after I get out of the shower. I blamed the first one on the excessive amounts of coffee I drank. The second was 14 hours after not having a cup for two months. The second made me second guess the reason I went into the episode. In both races I had bananas afterwards. (keep in mind, I run races practically every weekend 5K's to Half Marathons). I am not sure what triggers it. One other option is it could be genetic. My Dad died of Congestive Heart Failure and my aunt (my Dad's sister) has a pace maker. The only drugs I am on is for Cholesterol and Acid Reflux. I was 42 when I first got afib. I am an avid runner and I feel I am in great shape. The day of my first afib, I ran a 5K. I ate a banana and water afterwards and came home and took a shower. After the shower I began feeling dizzy. My wife is a nurse. She listened to my heart and knew exactly what it was. I was put on blood thinners and overnight in the hospital I went back to sinus rhythym. This last weekend, it happened again (2nd time). I ran a 5K trail run and was feeling fine afterwards. After the race I ate a banana and had gatorade. I stopped for drive through lunch on the way home (Chicken sandwich). At home I took a shower and 10 minutes later it happened again. The first time, I used to drink at least 5 cups of coffee a day in addition up to 2 Monster Coffee Energy drinks (equiv to 7 cups of coffee each – equiv 12-19 cups a day). I loved energy drinks. After my afib, I went down to 1 cup a day and NO more energy drinks. In March 2010, I decided to give up coffee for lent. And I did. This last Friday evening, I had a cup of coffee for the first time in two months. I don’t know if it is related, but in the next 14 hours, I didn’t sleep well. I ran the 5K trail race and I go into afib after I get out of the shower. I blamed the first one on the excessive amounts of coffee I drank. The second was 14 hours after not having a cup for two months. The second made me second guess the reason I went into the episode. In both races I had bananas afterwards. (keep in mind, I run races practically every weekend 5K’s to Half Marathons). I am not sure what triggers it. One other option is it could be genetic. My Dad died of Congestive Heart Failure and my aunt (my Dad’s sister) has a pace maker. The only drugs I am on is for Cholesterol and Acid Reflux.

]]> By: kathy rettig http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-2953 kathy rettig Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:32:12 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-2953 Just now looking into this. I have had 1 to 2 episodes every day for about a month, lasting from minutes to an hour. My heart is pounding, skipping a beat, not racing too fast (110)--feels very wierd, often have a brain fog with it, and a fluttery feeling. I think have paroxymal a-fib. Things that precipitate-- STRESS --my job is stressful and unfriendly. Now I also am wondering if it was the caffeine too. Also going through menopause. I know I should see my doctor, but she always tells me to lose weight, and I think she thinks I am a hypochondriac. I have seen her for some other things recently. But stress can do many things to us. It would be interesting to see if the stress was removed, would the afib go. Unfortunately, gotta work! Thanks for the site. Just now looking into this. I have had 1 to 2 episodes every day for about a month, lasting from minutes to an hour. My heart is pounding, skipping a beat, not racing too fast (110)–feels very wierd, often have a brain fog with it, and a fluttery feeling. I think have paroxymal a-fib. Things that precipitate– STRESS –my job is stressful and unfriendly. Now I also am wondering if it was the caffeine too. Also going through menopause. I know I should see my doctor, but she always tells me to lose weight, and I think she thinks I am a hypochondriac. I have seen her for some other things recently. But stress can do many things to us. It would be interesting to see if the stress was removed, would the afib go. Unfortunately, gotta work! Thanks for the site.

]]> By: Chris http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-2952 Chris Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:50:47 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-2952 I am mostly in sinus rhythm but over the last decade I have had afib about 18 times due to a virus that attacked my heart and almost killed me. I cut out caffeine from then on except what I get out of decaf. Truthfully, I'm not sure it makes a difference. Lately, after a failed ablation, my afib has been happening about once a month. Neither alcohol or caffeine(I tried it once during this) has ever triggered it. I completely stay away from decongestants though. Honestly, right now there is is no rhyme or reason for my afib except I have IBS alot and I believe it helps cause it. I am mostly in sinus rhythm but over the last decade I have had afib about 18 times due to a virus that attacked my heart and almost killed me. I cut out caffeine from then on except what I get out of decaf. Truthfully, I’m not sure it makes a difference. Lately, after a failed ablation, my afib has been happening about once a month. Neither alcohol or caffeine(I tried it once during this) has ever triggered it. I completely stay away from decongestants though. Honestly, right now there is is no rhyme or reason for my afib except I have IBS alot and I believe it helps cause it.

]]> By: Shirl http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-2951 Shirl Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:35:22 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-2951 This is amazing. I have AF and sometimes feel like I'm stuck in 2nd gear but if I brew a pot of coffee and drink a half cup it feels like a jump-start and then I settle down to an AF that I can cope with. On another note my adversion to "mold" can cause an increased event of AF....which is very disconcerting. Just the smell and being in the same room wtih mold is a trigger. This is amazing.
I have AF and sometimes feel like I’m stuck
in 2nd gear but if I brew a pot of coffee and
drink a half cup it feels like a jump-start and
then I settle down to an AF that I can cope with.

On another note my adversion to “mold” can
cause an increased event of AF….which is
very disconcerting. Just the smell and being
in the same room wtih mold is a trigger.

]]> By: Adele Tyler http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-2946 Adele Tyler Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:22:45 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-2946 I, too, am quite sensitive to caffeine and have been all my life. My first touch of a fib was in college, after drinking my first (and last!) Irish coffee. In my early 50's I had my first a fib attack, for real, and went to the hospital for a night. It was brought on by a day of too much coffee, sudafed, and a glass of red wine, plus too much excitement at a rock concert, I believe. Cutting out all caffeine and switching to decaf and eliminating sudafed left me symptom free for 5 years. Now I'm having weekly episodes, after even one glass of wine or a diet Coke. I still drink decaf but have considered eliminating it because it has small amounts of caffeine. I know from experience that caffeine brings on these afib episodes for me, and suspect the alcohol does now, as well. I'm curious to know more about the role of exercise in decreasing these symptoms. I'm a 59 year old female and wonder if my recent return of hot flashes, which seems to correlate with the return of the afib, means hormones are playing a role in this? I, too, am quite sensitive to caffeine and have been all my life. My first touch of a fib was in college, after drinking my first (and last!) Irish coffee. In my early 50′s I had my first a fib attack, for real, and went to the hospital for a night. It was brought on by a day of too much coffee, sudafed, and a glass of red wine, plus too much excitement at a rock concert, I believe. Cutting out all caffeine and switching to decaf and eliminating sudafed left me symptom free for 5 years. Now I’m having weekly episodes, after even one glass of wine or a diet Coke. I still drink decaf but have considered eliminating it because it has small amounts of caffeine. I know from experience that caffeine brings on these afib episodes for me, and suspect the alcohol does now, as well. I’m curious to know more about the role of exercise in decreasing these symptoms. I’m a 59 year old female and wonder if my recent return of hot flashes, which seems to correlate with the return of the afib, means hormones are playing a role in this?

]]> By: Mike http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-2923 Mike Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:09:34 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-2923 I'm 55 based in the UK and had an ER attack of AF mid December 2009. Looking back I am certain I had quite a number of other attacks before December, just did not appreciate what they were. Since the first event attacks come pretty regularly, despite medication, getting to the point where I am reluctant to go to bed because they most often come on overnight. Following the first ER event I cut coffee and tea right back but I have long been a heavy coffee drinker and so as the meds had some impact I increased tea/coffee again. The events increased in frequency and my first conclusion was that the meds were not working. However, last Saturday I completely cut out Tea and Coffee just drinking water and juice. Over the last five days I have had just one three and a half hour event and am able to sleep again. So for me at least the link seems to be clear cut. I have read the reports that normal consumption of around three cups a day can be tolerated so I will try introducing just one cup to see what happens and will also try organics and post again in a week or so. Thanks for the site. Mike I’m 55 based in the UK and had an ER attack of AF mid December 2009. Looking back I am certain I had quite a number of other attacks before December, just did not appreciate what they were.

Since the first event attacks come pretty regularly, despite medication, getting to the point where I am reluctant to go to bed because they most often come on overnight.

Following the first ER event I cut coffee and tea right back but I have long been a heavy coffee drinker and so as the meds had some impact I increased tea/coffee again. The events increased in frequency and my first conclusion was that the meds were not working.

However, last Saturday I completely cut out Tea and Coffee just drinking water and juice.

Over the last five days I have had just one three and a half hour event and am able to sleep again.

So for me at least the link seems to be clear cut.

I have read the reports that normal consumption of around three cups a day can be tolerated so I will try introducing just one cup to see what happens and will also try organics and post again in a week or so.

Thanks for the site.

Mike

]]> By: Mellanie http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-2817 Mellanie Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:28:09 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-2817 Richard, It sounds like everything added up to cause your afib, though the Sudafed could have been the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back". Is there a possibility that your sleep disorder could have contributed to it? Sleep apneas are associated with an 18 times higher risk of afib than normal sleep breathing. Here's info on that: Sleep Apnea Multiplies Risk of Arrhythmias Like Atrial Fibrillation: http://stopafib.org/newsitem.cfm/NEWSID/211 Mellanie Richard,

It sounds like everything added up to cause your afib, though the Sudafed could have been the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Is there a possibility that your sleep disorder could have contributed to it? Sleep apneas are associated with an 18 times higher risk of afib than normal sleep breathing. Here’s info on that: Sleep Apnea Multiplies Risk of Arrhythmias Like Atrial Fibrillation:

http://stopafib.org/newsitem.cfm/NEWSID/211

Mellanie

]]> By: Richard http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-1/#comment-2816 Richard Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:31:54 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-2816 I'm glad to find this discussion! I'm 64, with mitral valve prolapse and a lifelong coffee drinker. About 15 and 18 years ago I had two episodes of Afib requiring chemical cardioversion in the hospital. It was never clear what the trigger was, and I continued to drink @ 3 cups of coffee a day, and one or two glasses of wine a night. Never had any more problems. About 6 years ago I started taking Provigil, an alertness drug, for a sleep-related disorder. Still never any problem. Then a week ago I went into Afib and I'm guessing it was an unusual "perfect storm" of too many stimulants: I had taken some Provigil, some Sudafed for a stuffy nose, then had a glass of wine, a beer, and topped it off with an Irish coffee - whiskey in coffee - and the arrhythmia kicked in after that. I think the Afib is slowly resolving, but I learned a lesson. Interestingly, my cardiologists was most concerned about the Sudafed- she said it is more cardio-active than people realize. richard I’m glad to find this discussion! I’m 64, with mitral valve prolapse and a lifelong coffee drinker. About 15 and 18 years ago I had two episodes of Afib requiring chemical cardioversion in the hospital. It was never clear what the trigger was, and I continued to drink @ 3 cups of coffee a day, and one or two glasses of wine a night. Never had any more problems. About 6 years ago I started taking Provigil, an alertness drug, for a sleep-related disorder. Still never any problem.
Then a week ago I went into Afib and I’m guessing it was an unusual “perfect storm” of too many stimulants: I had taken some Provigil, some Sudafed for a stuffy nose, then had a glass of wine, a beer, and topped it off with an Irish coffee – whiskey in coffee – and the arrhythmia kicked in after that. I think the Afib is slowly resolving, but I learned a lesson. Interestingly, my cardiologists was most concerned about the Sudafed- she said it is more cardio-active than people realize.
richard

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