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

Hello @phillipdobrien,

Caffeine can also be an A-fib trigger for many. I have a friend who has a very strong reaction to caffeine products (which unfortunately for her includes chocolate). She has recently discovered that many skin products and hair products as well as cosmetics also contain caffeine. It is important to read labels when you purchase anything (food or otherwise) that might contain an A-fib trigger.

@phillidobrien @amandaburnett..my son in law had afib for years, had 2 ablations, then he found a doctor in Texas and was getting ready for a 3rd when this doctor saw something other doctors did not. It was a genetic problem. He had an operation to fix it, now no more afib and no more meds.

Thanks for the info; I am really new to this so I will look into that with my Cardiologist. Take Care & Good Luck to you & your son in law !

So my story is pretty unique I think... it all started with my first ever episode of afib which happened 8 years ago when I had a very bad acid reflux episode in the morning. I wasn't taking anything for my reflux back then.

The reflux stayed in my throat area and I felt my heart flip flopping....I went to the er and after 23 hours and a full spectrum of all kinds of tests I was cleared of any cardiovascular problems/returned to sinus rhythm and told it was a episode of a lone afib. I was put on beta blockers ever since and acid reflux medication...

5 years later I had another episode after I vomited from food poisoning. I never vomit unless I have food poisoning. After 13 hours I returned to sinus rhythm The doctor at the er told me my trigger is stimulation of the vagal nerve. Is this a super rare condition? Its interesting but at the same time I'm tired of worrying any answers or insight I would appreciate thank you 🙏

I am 36 years old and relatively healthy besides being a bit underweight

Hi @polo70222 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As you will see, I moved your discussion to a conversation about Afib triggers. This is to help you connect with people who may be experiencing the same condition. I am sorry to hear about your isolated episodes of Afib due to your vagus nerve. We have had members in this conversation mention this issue though I don't know how common it is.

You might be interested in reading on Vagus Nerve Dysfunction - https://www.flatironsintegrative.com/vagusnerve#:~:text=Other%20symptoms%20may%20include%20nutrient,liver%20dysfunction%2C%20difficulty%20swallowing%20or
Also, Stopafib.com did an interview with a specialist and there is some interesting information in the transcript. https://www.stopafib.org/newsitem.cfm/NEWSID/465/Cleveland-Clinic-atrial-fibrillation-experts/afib-chat-transcript

I would like to invite @lcgh, @jocrane, @mayofeb2020 and @jenniferhunter back to the conversation for introductions to Polo.

Polo, did your doctors recommend any treatment, exercise, massage, medications?

I have had only three instances where my rate hung at 150 for three hrs and then came down naturally plus minor ones. The trigger has been high temp/humid conditions and once after a glass of wine. Seven months out of the year I am biking 5hrs wk and prior to this I would back off at 140+ BPM. Senior, plant based, ht/wt commensurate. I had an ablation 3 wks ago, found both Fib & Flutter. Recovery was MORE than predicted, 2 wks post op I walked 200' into soggy grassy area, hot, and for the first time ever struggled to remain conscious. I have an Abbott monitor implanted which reported afib. Heat/humidity triggers common?

Over the 26 years I have had atrial fibrillation, I have discovered many triggers, and they change over time. Body position has been consistent, however. Bending over can trigger it, as can certain positions of the body and neck while reclining. Rarely has an episode begun while I have been standing upright. I have also had certain food triggers, drinks (alcohol and diet soda) and, when I had them, menses. This is a damnable malady! I have been on just about every antiarrhythmic medication and have had 5 ablations, and the battle continues!

I've been having episodes of Afib for the past 17 years. In the beginning they were very infrequent, but the past 2 years, every 1, 2 or 3 weeks apart. I'm now on an anti-arrhythmic (Multaq) and Eliquis, but still having breakthroughs. I have also discovered many triggers that change over time. In the past my triggers were indigestion, overeating and/or constipation. and sometimes alcohol. About three years ago I started a plant-based diet which seems to help some if I stay on it. About 2 months ago I started taking liquid Magnesium every night and changed to sleeping on my left side. This seems to help because my episodes always begin about an hour or two after I go to bed and when I'm laying on my right side. I hope this makes sense.

Yes indeed, all this makes sense. Thank you for your perspective. I take Mg orally but have not tried the liquid version, which I may do. I have recently started adding Taurine to my supplements. Cutting out sugar and alcohol has helped a lot.

I also take multaq and eliquis and have breakthroughs every 2-3 weeks. Oddly, when afib occurs my ears get clogged and stuffy. i asked the nurse/doctor and they said there is no connection. Have you had this happen? I also had episodes only once a month early on and now they have increased. The dr. wants me to take a different rate pill. My episodes are always the first thing upon awakening. What is the trigger?