Afib Triggers: Mine is my neck or body position, yours?

Posted by akbooks45 @akbooks45, Jan 12, 2020

My atrial Fibrillation triggers with neck position or body. My neck and torso are relatively short and I seem to compress the Vagus nerve if my neck is sharply bent or the same with my torso. Have you ever heard of that? That is the only time it does so.

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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jan 21, 2020

In reply to @afrobin "Hello Dyanne, YourAfib case sounds just like mine...was. Like you and according to the cardiologist's directions,..." + (show)

@afrobin

Hello Dyanne, YourAfib case sounds just like mine...was. Like you and according to the cardiologist's directions, I drank no alcohol, no coffee, no tea, no chocolate, decongestants or dental stimulant drug, kept out of cigarette smoky environments and kept my stress levels down. The cardiologist said that my Afib was the worst he had ever seen. He was concerned because the dose to keep my Afib under control was at the max which he said could suddenly stop my heart. I actually asked my gynaecologist for estrogen because I had read that this could be the solution. And it did work and I was able to stop the beta blocker and I was Afib free!. But I was taking it 'unopposed'...which means without progesterone to balance it which raises the chances of a reproductive cancer. So I took progesterone with it and the Afib returned but I needed less beta blocker at least. I decided to stop the hormones and just take the high dose beta blocker since I didn't like the idea of being on 3 meds... Probably not the best idea since the beta blocker dose was at a dangerous level.
Plan B: For me the magic bullet was when I started going to the gym 6 days out of 7 and did aerobic exercise for 30 minutes out of the hour program. Every few days I lowered the beta blocker and for the first time in almost 2 years my heart remained stable. At the end of a month, I gradually (important) weaned myself off beta blockers...AND my Afib was 'cured'!!! I continued for 4 months going to the gym 6 days out of 7. The cardiologist told me that a cure was impossible and that the arrhythmia would be back. Well, here I am 24 years later and still no Afib. Of course, I am religiously adherent to the prevention strategies.
I see in your bright and cheery photo, your hair is the same colour as mine which means our estrogen and progesterone production/levels are low....and this leads me to a suggestion. How about going on low dose estrogen; maybe even the Estring/vaginal estrogen cream or vaginal pill? (I take it to prevent UTIs.) Of course, you need progesterone to counteract the estrogen and I would suggest bio-identical progesterone (remember Goldie Hawn?) which I have been taking for over 15 years. I go to a clinic that specializes i women's hormonal health...here in Montreal. The progesterone cream is made from sweet potato not chemicals and actually comes from the US. Bonus: I put the cream on my forearms before bed and sleep like a baby and wake up refreshed.
I hope this helps... Good luck, Dyanne!

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Hi @afrobin,

I’m happy to hear that you’ve been able to control your A-fib, but I have found no credible medical sources that show estrogen or exercise alone, as approved medical treatments to control atrial fibrillation. Any type of hormone therapy might reduce the risk of A-Fib by improving a overall health, but research on this topic isn’t clear at all.
In fact, "Despite the benefits of estrogen, the American Heart Association recommends against using postmenopausal hormone therapy to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease or stroke because studies have shown it appears to not reduce the risk.” https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/menopause-and-heart-disease

With regards to exercise and A-fib, this published research states that, "Despite the favorable findings over this duration, it cannot be ascertained whether prescribing exercise training presents an effective long-term strategy in the treatment of AF.” https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(17)30843-3/fulltext

I will, of course, continue to research this topic to provide sources, but sincerely encourage you and fellow members to discuss any new treatment with your medical provider. Thank you, @afrobin, for your participation on Connect and for sharing your experiences.

kates1221 | @kates1221 | Jan 22, 2020

In reply to @dsisko "I had an ablation in August and haven’t had afib since." + (show)

I was hopeful that my doctor would do that for me, but he said ablation is not effective on permanent afib. However, I would be willing to try. I've heard of people having multiple ablations only to have their afib return. That is the one thing I don't want.

kates1221 | @kates1221 | Jan 23, 2020

In reply to @kates1221 "I was hopeful that my doctor would do that for me, but he said ablation is..." + (show)

@dsisko I apologize. I meant I had heard of people having multiple cardioversions only to have their afib return. Was your afib determined to be permanent when you had your ablation?

dsisko | @dsisko | Jan 23, 2020

Sorry but I’ve never heard of permanent afib. I had afib since 2011 but it increased in frequency to about 2-3 a week in the last year. I have heard of people having multiple ablations but also those who have no afib after just one ablation. I consider myself lucky to have had the ablation take care of my heart issues. I never had a cardioversion.

kates1221 | @kates1221 | Jan 24, 2020

In reply to @dsisko "Sorry but I’ve never heard of permanent afib. I had afib since 2011 but it increased..." + (show)

You are indeed blessed. I hope to get to where you are one day. Maybe one day.

dsisko | @dsisko | Jan 24, 2020

In reply to @kates1221 "You are indeed blessed. I hope to get to where you are one day. Maybe one..." + (show)

You will. Persist and advocate for your health. It’s worth it

jmdev | @jmdev | Feb 10, 2020

Have only had 2 afib episodes with rapid ventricular rate. Both resulted in ER visits to bring the heart rate down. The only thing both episodes have in common are the fact that I had bent over and the afib started when I straightened up. The cardiologist said it is not always easy to figure out what triggers afib.

dyannne | @dyannne | Feb 10, 2020

In reply to @jmdev "Have only had 2 afib episodes with rapid ventricular rate. Both resulted in ER visits to..." + (show)

I've never been able to figure out what triggers mine. I just don't drink coffee or black tea, just in case that does it, and besides I have trouble sleeping. I try to live a calm and stressless life.

success101 | @success101 | Feb 11, 2020

In reply to @jmdev "Have only had 2 afib episodes with rapid ventricular rate. Both resulted in ER visits to..." + (show)

I wonder if bending over and , picking
Something heavy is the start.
That is hard on me.
No shoveling snow for me.
Myife isnt stressfree. But try to think
Of better ideas.
Started at a gym.
That is good for me.
Drink little coffee decaf. Glass of wine.
Try to eat right.
It works for myself.

carnes | @carnes | Feb 17, 2020

In reply to @dsisko "Any liquor at all and caffeine are particular triggers. I could drink one glass of wine..." + (show)

Is an ablation the same as getting an ICD defibrillator? I get tachycardia, bradycardia, and at times, on occasion may skip a beat or feel like going to pop out of my skin. I believe mine is brought on by stress, caffeine and alcohol. I try to not let things bother me so less stress. I don’t drink any alcohol but continue to drink decaf coffee. I so appreciate these articles affirming triggers and what to do about it. I am trying to eat right but extremely difficult loosing weight. I’m 73 and do go to cardiac rehab when able. Also once or twice a week senior swim or rather just exercise at the pool Y.

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