Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) and associated digestive problems?
Posted , 47 users are following.
I have been diagnosed recently with Paroxysmal A/F. Episodes are usually infrequent- around 1 every 4-6 weeks. Onset is invariably at night and when lying down to sleep or actually asleep. The time spent out of rhythm varies from 30 minutes to as much as 8 hours, usually going back into normal sinus rhythm when the bloating has abated. ECG and Echo tests normal.
But have been prescribed a blood-thinner of course (not warfarin), which I have to start soon it seems.
Two things concern me:
ONE that neither the specialist or my GP seemed to accept that there was any connection between A/F and bloating/IBS yet the internet is crowded with people with the same symptoms as me. Only two (eminent) USA sites mention this as a reality.
TWO I do wish my GP would take seriously a need to review and change my medication routine (I have been on 25mg Atenolol for ectopic beats for 9 years now), especially since I have read in several notable cardiological sites that atenolol can not only contribute to A/F but also that in any event, 25mg is too low a dose.
Would others with A/F AND these IBS-type symptoms please share their experiences/outcomes/view please?
Many thanks!!
1 like, 90 replies
jayne42275 edward1943
Posted
wow!
I totally agree it has to do with intestinal/bowel function
jayne42275 edward1943
Posted
when i first was diagnosed with afib (heartrate 211 and 3 days in hospital) i told my cardiologist that i was seeing a pattern that had something to do with "eating" he said "don't cause yourself stress by trying to figure out every trigger because afib has a mind of it's own" .
I personally don't believe that. I believe we know our bodies and that WE are the cardiologists best medical journal. Afib is becoming so prevalent there have to be many cardiologists who have it.
reginald86759 jayne42275
Posted
here here, well said.
There are many of us who would prefer an approach that took this more seriously.
afib does not have a mind of its own. Continuing with existing failed methods is doomed to failure.
derek76 jayne42275
Posted
We should seek one out with AF 😃
jayne42275 derek76
Posted
YES!!! THAT COULD BE OUR PREREQUISITE FOR HIRING HIM!
derek76 jayne42275
Posted
The kidney specialist I see at the hypertension centre is very good at accepting new ideas and understands patients problems. He went into cardiac arrest in the night and his wife and daughter kept him alive by knowing how to deal with it until paramedics arrived. He then had several heart attacks on the way to hospital and had a triple bypass.
I tell him the things that the cardiologist ignores and he highlights them in his letters.
jayne42275 derek76
Posted
AWESOME that you can talk to him now and very AWESOME that his life was spared
...tell him all about our unnerving symptoms when afib kicks in
derek76 jayne42275
Posted
He is a very likable and approachable Guy.
lastchance jayne42275
Edited
My triggers are 'anxiety for other people' , e.g. watching a action movie, even Convoy set it off last year, and pain in the Vagus nerve area (cause unknown doesn't seem to be GERD or what's in the last meal), Beware of Diltiazem triggering serious indigestion/gastritus. At one stage I was having to take tablets wrapped in butter or honey to stop the immediate burn, better last thing at night for me and now 2 years on have stopped these altogether. To resolve the stomach issues try
Cinnamon or turmeric in yogurt; Slippery Elm powder in porridge or warm milk;Crystallized ginger. Don't try mint or Gaviscon - mint relaxes stomach upper muscle and makes reflux worse, too much Gaviscon can upset the body'mineral balance
buddah edward1943
Edited
GP's aren't qualified to treat AF.
Ask, no demand a referral to a EP asap.
Time to change your Cardiologist.
You have to be proactive in terms of your health. If your Drs don't listen why would you stay with them.
I have recently moved away from my longstanding Cardio as we disagreed on medication etc.
My new Cardio, who is great, referred me straight to an EP
lastchance buddah
Edited
in 2018 went for a (second) cardioversion on Amiodarone (sorry don't know US term for the medication). Only took it for 4 weeks as per cardiologist recommendations did stay in NSR intermittently (4 days out of 7) thereafter with resting Heart rate 55-65. But each January/February my heart rate and AF goes into freefall. Any interest From Cardiology professionals- NO. Thyroid or Vitamin D runout my theory but nothing in blood tests to indicate what's going on. Complete change of medication Epixoban as NOAC, stopped Diltiazem for 2 months, started low dose (1.5 mg) Bisoprolol which has helped with anxiety (building work on house and COVID19 otherwise not a stressful life). Changed Cardiology department to avoid the consultant who just wants to hand out Amiodarone as if it is a sugar cube. My heart rate doesn't get above 145 in an episode. With NHS waiting lists for an ablation about to take the CORONA hit, their comment 'Just take the the medication it is only for 6 months' just doesn't stand up,
sabiha45349 edward1943
Edited
Hello there, I have the very same problem. It starts around 2 am which is directly related to your liver stress. I have done 14 years of research with this condition. I still am able to control it with atenelol 25ml. and pills in the pocket, propenalol and profenone (rythmol) when I get into a AFIB. I use supplements and eat only organic, recently- 3 months vegetarian. Feel much better. It is %100 digestion related in my experience. Also Histamine- MCAS - DAO triggered in my case. I tried and experienced many times to believe it. Please read read.... Best wishes
kieran15969 edward1943
Posted
Hi Edward, very interesting to read your experience with PAF. I experienced ectopic beats from my late 20s which developed into PAF by my mid 30s, about 1990. From then until my mid 40s the fibrillation would stop within 20 minutes of taking an antacid. I had always associated the irregular heartbeat with an irritated stomach lining, but the one time I was kept in hospital overnight because it was lasting more than 2-3 hours the consultant wouldn't believe that as antacid would help and he didn't diagnose AF. This was in 1993. I played a lot of team squash and my team mates could spot AF on me when it started very occasionally during a match. They knew to throw down some Rennie's or Gaviscon which would eventually stop it. I was eventually diagnosed with PAF in 2005 as my condition was worsening, and I had cardiac ablation in 2006 and then again in 2011. Since then I have not had to take any meds and did not experience any irregularities until the middle of last year. Stomach gas and discomfort have caused a few short AF episodes since then. I am having tests for my stomach problem, but I have absolutely no doubt that that is causing my heartbeat irregularities. I'm unsure if changes in habit due to lockdown or long Covid could be factors, but I was interested in some of the chat re probiotics and diet which I will try out.
katie44444 edward1943
Edited
Same thing with me - mine started 2006 and they kept me overnight. I was on atenolol and all kinds of stuff. I did a lot of research and magnesium helped me so I got off the medications they gave me. Fast forward a few years and I recognized that gas was the culprit - one night as I sat in the ER I burped and that stopped the abnormal rhythm.....so I started avoiding anything that would give me gas. I had developed diabetes type 2 right before the start of all the madness and when I started metformin that gave me gas and I would get afib alot so I had to stop that also. Currently I do ok with last year not having any afib - but then in January I started metformin again and once again there it is. I finally got fed up with having the afib so I'm off metformin now and it's gone. Except for yesterday - I ate an artichoke and would up with BAD gas and what happens? I go to bed ok - but wake up an hour later in afib and it lasted several hours - I took a Pepsid and that worked. It really sucks to have this heart issue - I'm in my 60s and i can see the writing on the wall with this situation - it eventually kills you - the doctors say "you can manage it" but in reality if your heart isn't beating normally - whatever is making it NOT beat normally will take it's toll on our precious hearts......I eat healthy and exercise every day - but still that ugly afib comes around when my blood sugar is too high, or I have gas, or eat gluten. The latest thing that I've found out about is gluten - gluten will give you gas - most doctors don't talk about this because they need you to come back for business. Gassy foods, gluten, too much sugar will all make afib and diabetes2 worse.
diane16596 katie44444
Posted
I'm in my 60's have the same symptoms and have been saying the same thing that there is a link between a-fib and the gut. I've been prescribed blood thinners and a beta blocker called Sotalol which I haven't taken so far. I was hoping for another option. I will look into possible magnesium therapy as well as giving up gluten.