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 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:03:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lorraine http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6296 Lorraine Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:03:45 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6296 Mellanie, Thanks for the response. Sorry to hear about your father-in-law. When they put me on Warfarin 9 years ago, I was allergic to it. I just read the new FDA warnings regarding Pradaxa and I am very concerned. What is Xarelto? I never heard of it. I know based on the CHAD score I am a high risk, but I absolutely hate being on a blood thinner and am planning to ask my doctor about the new Bayer aspirin that enters the blood stream immediately. Since I have only had two A-fib episodes in 9 years, why couldn't I carry this new aspirin with me and take it only when I feel an episode coming on? I'm trying to watch my potassium intake, because I think the low potassium triggered my last episode. I am so afraid of a fall or car accident. It just seems to me that there should be a better way to protect people who only have occasional A-fib. This whole thing so upsetting. Thanks for any other input you may have regarding my situation. Lorraine Mellanie,

Thanks for the response. Sorry to hear about your father-in-law. When they put me on Warfarin 9 years ago, I was allergic to it. I just read the new FDA warnings regarding Pradaxa and I am very concerned. What is Xarelto? I never heard of it. I know based on the CHAD score I am a high risk, but I absolutely hate being on a blood thinner and am planning to ask my doctor about the new Bayer aspirin that enters the blood stream immediately. Since I have only had two A-fib episodes in 9 years, why couldn’t I carry this new aspirin with me and take it only when I feel an episode coming on? I’m trying to watch my potassium intake, because I think the low potassium triggered my last episode. I am so afraid of a fall or car accident. It just seems to me that there should be a better way to protect people who only have occasional A-fib. This whole thing so upsetting. Thanks for any other input you may have regarding my situation.

Lorraine

]]> By: Mellanie http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6258 Mellanie Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:27:24 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6258 Lorraine, Sorry for the delay in replying. I was gone to the Boston AF Symposium medical conference, then a think tank in DC, and then my father-in-law passed away, all within a week. So it's been crazy. As a 64-year old female, you definitely should be on a blood thinner (per the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system). Have you tried Coumdain or warfarin, since the Pradaxa is causing problems? Or maybe Xarelto? Afib is a real puzzle because we don't even know what causes it. Mellanie Lorraine,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I was gone to the Boston AF Symposium medical conference, then a think tank in DC, and then my father-in-law passed away, all within a week. So it’s been crazy.

As a 64-year old female, you definitely should be on a blood thinner (per the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system). Have you tried Coumdain or warfarin, since the Pradaxa is causing problems? Or maybe Xarelto?

Afib is a real puzzle because we don’t even know what causes it.

Mellanie

]]> By: Lorraine http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6239 Lorraine Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:03:09 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6239 I submitted a comment on 1/12/12. Any response would be appreciated. Thanks I submitted a comment on 1/12/12. Any response would be appreciated.

Thanks

]]> By: Lorraine http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6222 Lorraine Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:31:05 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6222 I have had 2 episodes (that I know of) in the past nine years. The most recent was about 4 months ago. It came out of the blue as I was climbing the stairs. That was the same scenario the first time it happened, 9 years ago. At that time I was on too many asthma meds and I think that is what caused it, (I don't take asthma meds anymore). I have never had a cup of coffee in my life and the only caffeine I have is when I eat chocolate, which is about 4 or 5 times a week. I am on 3 different blood pressure meds (one is a beta blocker) and my BP is pretty much under control, though when I got to the hospital during the last A-fib episode my BP was extremely high. I'm a 64 year old female, 50 lbs overweight and have controlled sleep apnea. It is very frustrating to have this problem looming overhead, because you never know when the next episode can happen. The only thing that they found the last time was that my potassium was very low. I'm taking Pradaxa now, but it is killing my stomach and I'm not happy about being on a blood thinner. When I was younger, I had many episodes of tachycardia, but I was always in normal sinus rhythm. I don't know about family history, but I think my dad seemed to have some kind of heart rhythm problem. He died when I was 18, so I don't remember too much. Also, I have had two cardiac caths during the last few years and both were perfectly normal. I'm really baffled as to why there isn't a better way for doctors to figure this problem out. I feel like a walking time bomb and it's scary. Anyone else taking Pradaxa? I have had 2 episodes (that I know of) in the past nine years. The most recent was about 4 months ago. It came out of the blue as I was climbing the stairs. That was the same scenario the first time it happened, 9 years ago. At that time I was on too many asthma meds and I think that is what caused it, (I don’t take asthma meds anymore). I have never had a cup of coffee in my life and the only caffeine I have is when I eat chocolate, which is about 4 or 5 times a week. I am on 3 different blood pressure meds (one is a beta blocker) and my BP is pretty much under control, though when I got to the hospital during the last A-fib episode my BP was extremely high. I’m a 64 year old female, 50 lbs overweight and have controlled sleep apnea. It is very frustrating to have this problem looming overhead, because you never know when the next episode can happen. The only thing that they found the last time was that my potassium was very low. I’m taking Pradaxa now, but it is killing my stomach and I’m not happy about being on a blood thinner. When I was younger, I had many episodes of tachycardia, but I was always in normal sinus rhythm. I don’t know about family history, but I think my dad seemed to have some kind of heart rhythm problem. He died when I was 18, so I don’t remember too much. Also, I have had two cardiac caths during the last few years and both were perfectly normal. I’m really baffled as to why there isn’t a better way for doctors to figure this problem out. I feel like a walking time bomb and it’s scary. Anyone else taking Pradaxa?

]]> By: jerry http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6213 jerry Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:35:00 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6213 I AMGOING TO HAVE CARDIOVERSION ON 12TH. OF JAN.2012 IHAVE BEEN DIAGNOSTE WITH AFIB JUST RECENTLY. I DO DRINK COFFEE, SOMETIMES 3OR4 CUPS A DAY.IHAVE LOST MY YOUNGEST SON AND MY WIFE OF 63 YRS. ALL WITH IN LESS THN TWO YEARS.I THINK MY AF. IS THE RESULT OF STRESS.THAT IS THE TIME MY AF. BECAME ABOUT. 2 YEARS AGO MY HEART WAS VERY GOOD,I WILL BE TURNING 85 THE 18TH. OF THIS MONTH I AMGOING TO HAVE CARDIOVERSION ON 12TH. OF JAN.2012 IHAVE BEEN DIAGNOSTE WITH AFIB JUST RECENTLY. I DO DRINK COFFEE, SOMETIMES 3OR4 CUPS A DAY.IHAVE LOST MY YOUNGEST SON AND MY WIFE OF 63 YRS. ALL WITH IN LESS THN TWO YEARS.I THINK MY AF. IS THE RESULT OF STRESS.THAT IS THE TIME MY AF. BECAME ABOUT. 2 YEARS AGO MY HEART WAS VERY GOOD,I WILL BE TURNING 85 THE 18TH. OF THIS MONTH

]]> By: Mellanie http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6172 Mellanie Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:36:31 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6172 Gail, A lot of folks have difficulty with coffee, though some of them have found that they can have organic, but not non-organic, coffee with no afib issues. But it sounds like it's best for you to stay away from it. Some folks who have afib all the time say it's so much better than having it come and go, and never knowing when the afib beast will strike. We're all different in how afib affects us. Mellanie Gail,

A lot of folks have difficulty with coffee, though some of them have found that they can have organic, but not non-organic, coffee with no afib issues. But it sounds like it’s best for you to stay away from it.

Some folks who have afib all the time say it’s so much better than having it come and go, and never knowing when the afib beast will strike. We’re all different in how afib affects us.

Mellanie

]]> By: GAIL http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6165 GAIL Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:40:27 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6165 About coffee...I have persistent A Fib and coffee for me is a definite NO. It really makes all of the pounding, skipping and jumping much worse. I had cardioversion in 2009 and was good until this last summer, almost 2 years, so I will be trying it again this month. Those of you who have A Fib that comes and goes should consider yourselves lucky. Imagine having it day after day after day. About coffee…I have persistent A Fib and coffee for me is a definite NO. It really makes all of the pounding, skipping and jumping much worse. I had cardioversion in 2009 and was good until this last summer, almost 2 years, so I will be trying it again this month. Those of you who have A Fib that comes and goes should consider yourselves lucky. Imagine having it day after day after day.

]]> By: Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation "Holiday Heart Syndrome"? http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-6161 Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation "Holiday Heart Syndrome"? Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:13:00 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-6161 [...] On this blog, we wrote earlier about whether alcohol and coffee are really the culprits they are portrayed to be in causing atrial fibrillation? You can read those articles at Does Alcohol Put You at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation? and The Role of Coffee in Atrial Fibrillation. [...] [...] On this blog, we wrote earlier about whether alcohol and coffee are really the culprits they are portrayed to be in causing atrial fibrillation? You can read those articles at Does Alcohol Put You at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation? and The Role of Coffee in Atrial Fibrillation. [...]

]]> By: Mellanie http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-5969 Mellanie Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:09:50 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-5969 Sheila, Are you staying fully hydrated? Coffee and sodas can dehydrate you and dehydration may be the trigger, not the coffee and soda. Mellanie Sheila,

Are you staying fully hydrated? Coffee and sodas can dehydrate you and dehydration may be the trigger, not the coffee and soda.

Mellanie

]]> By: Mellanie http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/comment-page-2/#comment-5937 Mellanie Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:34:35 +0000 http://atrialfibrillationblog.com/the-role-of-coffee-in-atrial-fibrillation/#comment-5937 Chuck, You're hardly the first person to mention cold drinks as a trigger. It sounds like your doctors aren't listening to their patients, or maybe you're the first to mention this. But to claim you've been cheating and drinking caffeine seems kind of insulting. Sounds like what you most need is new doctors who will work with you to sort this all out. Caffeine and alcohol seem to be the standard "excuses" doctors use as the causes or triggers of afib. However, often it's not the caffeine in coffee, but instead is pesticides or the fact that coffee can dehydrate you. And alcohol triggering afib can often be due to dehydration, too. You mention workout and sodas - both can also dehydrate you. And some people mention sugar and corn syrup, both in various sodas, as triggers. So, you may be sensitive to other things besides caffeine. Mellanie Chuck,

You’re hardly the first person to mention cold drinks as a trigger. It sounds like your doctors aren’t listening to their patients, or maybe you’re the first to mention this. But to claim you’ve been cheating and drinking caffeine seems kind of insulting. Sounds like what you most need is new doctors who will work with you to sort this all out.

Caffeine and alcohol seem to be the standard “excuses” doctors use as the causes or triggers of afib. However, often it’s not the caffeine in coffee, but instead is pesticides or the fact that coffee can dehydrate you. And alcohol triggering afib can often be due to dehydration, too.

You mention workout and sodas – both can also dehydrate you. And some people mention sugar and corn syrup, both in various sodas, as triggers. So, you may be sensitive to other things besides caffeine.

Mellanie

]]>