QuoteElizabeth George: How about this do you think it has any merit? Liz Yes, it has merit, but you don't have to spend the money to do the same thing. The idea is to get you to breathe through your nose at a rate of around 5.5 breaths/minute (4-6 or even 4-10 is the range). The search terms are coherent breathing, slow breathing or paced breathing. An Italian cardiologistby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
People should solve their apnea however they can, it is very important to solve that. Some people with mild to moderate apnea can do that by taping their mouths shut. Beyond that, however, training themselves to breathe slowly and lightly can also be of benefit. Not just overbreathing at night, but during the day. This podcast with host UK doc Rangan Chattergee MD and author of "Brby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quoteggheld Dr. Weil has long suggested a simple breathing technique for relaxation, sleep and general unwinding. Yes, Weil's approach would be in the "increase parasympathetic tone" category. Basically inhale through nose for count of 4, hold for 7, exhale through the mouth with a "woosh" sound for 8. Interestingly, this article by author James Nestor (book linkedby GeorgeN - GENERAL HEALTH FORUM
Lynn, I'm guessing it is completely normal. If you've not had monitoring before, you may not have noticed it. I've had exercise heart rate monitors (HRM) for many years - even before I had afib. The pre-afib monitors recorded on a 15 second average and the display showed a averaged value (5 second, I think). My heart rate varied, of course, but for any particular exertion lby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
A few breathing links: Here's some more info on Butekyo breathing: <; <; Also: This book, written by a Buteyko teacher, addresses both apnea & CPAP machines: "Freedom from Insomnia: The Natural Way to Solve Sleep Problems by Alexander Stalmatski." The Buteyko concept is that overbreathing drives serum CO2 levels too low & causes the apnea (& other issues, lby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
E. B.- I presume the breathing website is: The guy who puts out this website was playing around with a Freeze Framer device (now emWavePC). I own a Freeze Framer & could never see an afib benefit when I was in a 2.5 month long episode - but that doesn't mean you won't. Also is an argument that you're increasing serum CO2 (a good thing). See info on Buteyko breathing <;by GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hi Nick, This guy played around with the FreezeFramer (now emwave) & determined that 6 breaths/minute were optimum. See: Also is an argument that you're increasing serum CO2 (a good thing). See info on Buteyko breathing <; also the RespErate device which arguably does the same thing: Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
George, I have an older model - the FreezeFramer (as does Hans & others). When I first got it, over 4 years ago, I was in chronic afib 24/7. I had no luck using it to convert to NSR. Subsequently I've used it as a pulse monitor though I prefer my Polar as with the FF you are always hooked up to the computer. Steve Elliott played around a lot with the FF and found the key was a breaby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peggy, You have a great memory. Thanks! I've made your links live. <; Georgeby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Emmie, Here are some thoughts regarding BP: 1. I wouldn't worry about walking too much as a cause of afib - most studies are on people exercising at a much greater level. 2. If your heart goes tachy as you push up the speed, try to stay below that pace. 3. Low dose bedtime aspirin. Peggy M has had good luck with this protocol and lowering her BP. See: You can also Google betime aspby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carol, If you have access to a cassette recorder, you could record your voice or even a tone - like a spoon against a glass every six seconds (I reread the link & I erroneously said 5 seconds) for however long you want to do it. On the other hand, I don't think it has to be exact. You might try breathing in front of a clock with a second hand - 6 seconds in, 6 seconds out till you getby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peter, This guy, Stephen Elliott, has done all kinds of work with the Heartmath Freezeframer and basically determined that the max "coherence" occurs at a breath rate of about 5 breaths/min. See: . This is all great stuff for meditative like responses There is a device (respErate) that gets you to breathe at ~10 breaths/min and has been clinically shown to lower blood pressure . Frby GeorgeN - AFIBBERS FORUM