Hert Rhythm issues and wood burning appliances

Because we are all very much individual in our bodies' responses to environmental stimuli, I would have to say that some people, especially if they have a wood-burning appliance that has backdraft problems or poor drafting (chimney too short, stenosed due to creosote buildup, or simply too small in diameter for the draft needed) are likely to do poorly and have some problems, heart or lungs. A significant amount of smoke might irritate the pharynges, the bronchia, and wreak havoc with the tiny alveoli lining the various areas of the lungs. This will cause inflammation due to the tissue damage caused when the small smoke particles, which are oxidative in nature when contacting tissue, do come into contact.

I don't think that having a fire is a bad thing. We burn 24/7 from early November through to the end of March typically....two large cords of fir and alder. My wife and I take turns, sort of, feeding the fire. Neither of us has heart problems (a successful ablation in early 2023 has stopped my fibrillation), nor lung problems. We do open the fire door slowly, cracking it a few mm first and pausing to let the increased flow of air begin to work its way up the chimney (which we get professionally inspected and cleaned once year, usually January). Grabbing the handle and yanking open the door to most any wood stove is going to cause a lot of smoke to back out into the room air...not good.

Thanks for the reply. Our wood-stove has a good draft and we only burn well seasoned wood, however there are instances when upon opening the door to tend the fire, a puff of smoke will enter the room. I had an ablation, and today marks the one year anniversary without a recurrence of Afib, albeit with some brief spells of PVCs and PACs that tend to unnerve me. I suppose I could do an experiment and not use the wood stove for a while to see if it makes a difference....but I would hate to give up those cozy evenings by the fire.

@nevets I, too, have had the odd blip....when I pay attention it's a triplet or quadruplet of tachycardia, and then the heart resumes normal sinus. This happens maybe every two/three months, and then it's gone. If this is what you are getting, a one/two/three...and then it's okay again, and it happens even once a week, you 'should' be okay. If they come on three-eight times a day, it might be a sign that you're working backwards and that it's time for a Holter assessment. That would be my counsel, if it's anything you can count on...LOL!

Get a good HEPA filter! Even if you don’t burn wood! A cheap diy Corsi Rosenthal box is awesome too.

@nevets I had ablation in 2017 and after blanking period - about 2 months- no issues. However by 2021 I started having sporadic episomes of AFIB/flutter plus almost continuous PVCs and PACs. By 2024 the PVCs/pacs comprised almost 20% of all beats. Based upon my EP’s suggestion I lowered my thyroid hormone amount (cancerous-thyroid surgically removed 38 yrs ago. After lowering the dosage my symptoms ceased. So pls use my experience if it will help you.

@chickenfarmer
Thanks for the reply. The key takeaway for me is that an ablation is successful until it isn't. As for thyroid hormones...I still have a thyroid gland and my hormone levels are consistently in the normal range, so I don't have the option to dial my levels up or down. But it's something to keep in mind.

Often are bodies are stressed to the edge and it can take very little to push it over the edge. With cardio issues anything one can do to remove an irritant is worth considering. One does not need to understand the exact mechanism to make a change.

My house has a great fireplace but a few years ago I bought and had installed a natural gas insert. It greatly reduced anything coming into the house and it provides 5 fan speeds and 5 gas settings so I can moderate the amount of heat it provides which I could not do when burning wood.

The kitchen has an electric cooktop that my wife and I prefer to gas, and so that major source of indoor air pollution is not present.

@nevets yes. My situation is somewhat unique in that I take synthetic hormone because I have no thyroid. So I can adjust levels and see the results. Even those with thyroids should look at their TSH level. However if TSH is low then you can’t change; if high then thats the best space for reducing arrhythmias. If you think TSH is an issue then consult endocrinologist