Ectopy and Eating

I have read many things about eating/drinking/SVT/Afib. Is that primarily a vagus nerve connection/dysfunction? I've been noticing that my bigeminy/PACs/have been much more disturbing/symptomatic immediately after eating/drinking, even just ice water...

Probably. You'll find a lot of discussion of vagus nerve involvement here. You're by no means alone in finding that eating and drinking affect your afib.

Thanks Carey. I'll dig into the archives. I never had an issue before, but with this new bigeminy, I am definitely noticing patterns....

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MeganMN
immediately after eating/drinking, even just ice water...

Ice water or other icy drinks are a known trigger for some people. Maybe try avoiding them and see if it makes a difference?

Thanks, Daisy. Unfortunately, it seems to be ANY food or drinks so far, but I have just started noticing a pattern and tracking it, so more to come!

Megan, to improve your digestion and vagus nerve add ginger extract by now company and you can use upwards of 2 grams per day, you can take it with food, does miracles for few folks with stomach issues that I know.

Thanks, Johnny. I already have a supply of ginger powder ordered from Georges recommendation and had been putting it into capsules to swallow, but didn't start it up again after the ablation. Is that how you would take it?

I only use ginger extract from now since it contains 5% gingerols giving you max potency as oppose to powdered form which isn’t as strong.

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MeganMN
I have read many things about eating/drinking/SVT/Afib. Is that primarily a vagus nerve connection/dysfunction? I've been noticing that my bigeminy/PACs/have been much more disturbing/symptomatic immediately after eating/drinking, even just ice water...

My experience is that when I'm over consuming calcium (for me), things that were never a trigger before can become one. Same with episodes with no apparent triggers. Icy or cold drinks became a trigger for me in 2012 with too much Ca and went away when I reduced my consumption. The time immediately following a sexual orgasm also became a trigger - heart rate elevates and then drops dramatically. It was the drop, which would be vagal, that was the trigger. That also fortunately went away as a trigger when Ca intake was reduced. Interestingly it seemed to be the drop that was the issue. Also, when orgasm was a trigger, if I immediately sat or stood up, creating a sympathetic impulse to increase my heart rate, I could commonly ward off an episode (fortunately have a supportive partner). Today my sleeping heart rate can average in the low 40's and spend time in the 30's as well, without issue.

While not solving the problem entirely, the FODMAP diet made a significant dent with my SVT episodes. And if pertinent, you might also try eliminating caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, to see if that also helps. Stress can also be a big factor, especially with ectopics.

Jim

Thanks, Jim! I have cut out the obvious things, but will look more into the FODMAP diet!!

Look into Akkermansia mucinophila. It eats mucus. Lots of positive stuff about it.I just posted a Youtube video on the general health forum. Just one of many about it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2024 02:35AM by Todd.

As Carey said, eating and drinking can affect heart rhythm and trigger ectopics or afib for many among us.
I've noticed that moderate exercise after meal (a walk or quiet bicycling) often prevents this issue. Conversely, resting after meal is a really bad idea.
No matter what I eat, unless it's a really small meal, being reasonably active while digesting helps a lot.
It seems logical for people having "vagal" afib. Resting or digesting (or both) create conditions for ectopics or afib.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2024 11:18AM by Pompon.

Research has suggested that there is a benefit to walking after a meal, but also ingesting a tbsp of apple cider vinegar. Both slow the metabolization of ingested sugars of all types, meaning they help to reduce an insulin spike after eating. If you're keen on desserts, for example, you might lessen the insulin response, and the resultant inflammation that often comes from high blood sugars.

Incidentally, and I demonstrated this on myself over the winter to my satisfaction (and pleasant surprise) that if you happen to have indigestion, acidic burps, or reflux after meals, take the apple cider! The way it works, and I know it's counter-intuitive to bathe your irritated esophagus with acidic vinegar (!!!), the raised acidity help to close off the opened pyloric valve. During reflux, the pyloric valve has not responded...yet...maybe never after that meal, and this allows regurgitation which can cause ulceration and erosion. Washing down a tbsp of apple cider vinegar, which is at least twice the acidity of cooking vinegar, will shut of the pyloric valve in due course, almost immediately. I tried this at least three different times over the winter, and was very pleased to find that it cleaned up the disorder (that evening) in minutes.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the wisdom on here. Got my latest monitor results, no SVT this time (Yay!l). Just 25% burden of PACs and a bunch (too much) of Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. Will be starting Rythmol, continuing my supplements, working on dietary changes, and hoping for the best!!