Prevalence Of Abnormal Glucose Metabolism In Atrial Fibrillation: A Case Control Study In 75
Prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism in atrial fibrillation: A case control study in 75-year old subjects Johansen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.2008 The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is increasing world wide and amongst factors that aggravate the risk is diabetes mellitus , also in epidemic development. However, although DM is a potentially modifiable risk factor for AF, few, if any, studies have explored the prevalence of undiagnosed dysglycaemia among subjects with AF or if duration of AF are related to parameters of glycaemia or dysglycaemia prevalence. In this case control study, amongst 75-year old subjects with and without AF, the prevalence of dysglycaemia, i.e., impaired fasting glycaemia, impaired glucose tolerance or DM, according to World Health Organisation criteria was assessed by a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test . Prevalence of undiagnosed DM among the 108 subjects without and the 46 with AF where 3.7% and 13.0%, respectively 3.86 ) whereas the overall prevalence of dysglycaemia where similar . Patients with AF duration 5 years had however a higher dysglycaemia prevalence as compared to AF duration < 5 years or no AF . There was also a significant correlation between the duration of AF and HbA1c and fasting glucose levels . AF is associated with chronic hyperglycaemia amContinue reading >>
Reducing Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms Through Diet And Exercise
We recommend a consistent healthy diet by eating the right foods and tracking calories regularly, plus getting 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days per week for healthy weight loss. Considering the link between obesity and AFib, patients who lose greater than 10% of their body weight could see a 60% reduction in the need for stronger treatments, such as heart rhythm medications or ablation procedures.
Extreme weight loss or the use of stimulants to lose weight can be harmful to your overall health and actually cause or worsen symptoms of atrial fibrillation. In some rare cases, surgery may be needed for a patient to lose weight and improve these modifiable health conditions.;
Dr John Day Cardiologist
| Dr. John DayDr. Day is a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm abnormalities at St. Mark Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Johns Hopkins Medical School and completed his residency and fellowships in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology at Stanford University. He is the former president of the Heart Rhythm Society and the Utah chapter of the American College of Cardiology. |
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What To Do If Foods Cause You Heart Palpitations
First off, take note if you feel any additional symptoms, because those could signal that youre experiencing more than simple palpitations. Seek emergency medical help if at any point you also have:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain or discomfort in the upper back, arms, neck, or jaw
- Feeling of impending doom
If its the first time youve ever noticed heart palpitations, make a follow-up appointment with your doctor. Its likely nothing is wrong, but its always best to err on the side of caution and make sure that the food-related episode isnt the first sign of a bigger issue.
Next, start a log and record times when the palpitations recur. Note what you ate or drank and what sort of emotional state you were in. If specific foods or beverages tend to cause recurrences, take that as a sign you should reduce or eliminate those foods from your diet. Your body and your heart couldnt be telling you any more clearly that those substances are doing you harm.
Ectopic Heartbeats And Premature Heartbeats
Usually harmless, an ectopic beat is a skipped or extra heartbeat. Ectopic beats may occur for no apparent reason, or may be due to another issue such as an electrolyte imbalance in the blood, ischemia caused by inadequate blood supply to the heart, or heart disease. Testing for ectopic beats is advisable in order to rule out other types of cardiac arrhythmias, though treatment is usually not necessary unless the irregular beats occur very frequently, are severe, or due to an underlying cause.
Premature heartbeats are extremely common, usually harmless, and may not cause any symptoms. If the premature beat occurs in the one of the top chambers of the heart it is a premature atrial contraction, or PAC. When in one of the ventricles, it is a premature ventricular contraction, or PVC. While the PAC or PVC may feel like a skipped beat, it is occurring earlier than expected and is followed by a quick pause.
PACs and PVCs usually occur due to stress, use of stimulants or alcohol, or low potassium states. They can be caused by heart conditions, though, such as lack of oxygen, mitral valve prolapse, or aging conduction systems. Most cardiologists will not prescribe drugs to treat premature heartbeats unless they are happening frequently and on a regular basis, and are accompanied by heart disease.
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Caffeine And Heart Rate Control
Heart rate control is a primary goal for managing AFib as keeping a pulse between 80 and 110 at rest will reduce the heart muscles workload. AFib Medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers will regulate heart rate, and in some cases a pacemaker is necessary.
Caffeine can speed up heart rate due to its stimulant properties, and as a result, people with AF were often advised to avoid caffeine or keep intake low because it will trigger an episode.
- WebMDs information about AF states that stimulants like caffeine can prompt an occurrence, but that it is more likely to happen in people that dont usually consume it.
- Mayo Clinic indicates that caffeine may cause AF, and recommends limiting intake or abstaining.
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Will You Have Atrial Fibrillation With Metformin Hydrochloride
A study for a 73 year old woman who takes Amlodipine Besylate, Farxiga, Glipizide, Valsartan, Metformin Hcl, Terbinafine Hydrochloride, Ezetimibe, Januvia, Alendronate Sodium NOTE: The study is based on active ingredients and brand name. Other drugs that have the same active ingredients are NOT considered. WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health. DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only, and has not been supported by scientific studies or clinical trials unless otherwise stated. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk. You may report adverse side effects to the FDA at or 1-800-FDA-1088 . If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.Continue reading >>
What Is An Example Of The Atrial Fibrillation Diet
Lets face it; we live in a fast-paced modern world. It can be almost impossible for most people to grow a garden, source locally grown organic food, and take the time to prepare fresh real food. So how could you incorporate the Atrial Fibrillation Diet into your daily routine?
Breakfast
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day but not for the reasons you usually hear. I have found with my patients that how their breakfast goes usually determines how the rest of the day will go.
Smoothies are a great way to start the day. As long as you arent adding any sugar, a smoothie loaded with green leafy vegetables, frozen berries, nuts, and seeds is a great way to protect your heart from atrial fibrillation.
Lunch
Salads are great for lunch and should be a daily occurrence with the Atrial Fibrillation Diet. As salad toppings can often undo any potential health-promoting effects of salads, I recommend never using commercially prepared salad dressings. Making your salad dressing is surprisingly tasty and quick. This is what we do in our home. For ideas, please look through our familys salad dressing recipes on this website.
If you are eating out, all is not lost. Combining olive oil and balsamic vinegar makes for a great salad dressing on the go. Likewise, nuts and seeds can substitute for salad dressings as well. Personally, I try to avoid the salad dressing when eating out as you never know how much sugar, bad fats, or chemicals they have put in it.
Dinner
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What Triggers Atrial Fibrillation
When we asked some afib patients about what triggered or brought on their afib episodes, most indicated that no one particular thing triggered them, but most mentioned stress as being a major factor.
One was under extreme stress at work, and was in the process of moving across the country when atrial fibrillation started. Doctors blamed it on marginal high blood pressure, which was probably related to the stress. Another said atrial fibrillation started during a very stressful personal situation while also working in a high-pressure industry, plus just happening to also be “high-strung.” Atrial fibrillation went away for a while but came back when the high stress returned. Chocolate and caffeine were also mentioned as possible additional triggers, which isn’t surprising as we often consume them when under stress. Some also mentioned exercise as being a trigger.
A big challenge for those with atrial fibrillation is that they never seem to be able to anticipate when an afib episode will happen, so understanding some of the common triggers may give some clues.
The concept of triggers, however, is frequently controversial in the afib community. When taken to an extreme, tracking triggers could lead you to cut out things that you might think caused an episode only to find out that some of those triggers really weren’t issues at all. At the Atrial Fibrillation Blog you will find some interesting discussions about commonly-cited triggers, including:
What Foods Trigger Atrial Fibrillation
Eating certain foods could trigger atrial fibrillation in some patients. Patients respond differently to foods and other triggers, so it is important to keep a track of what may cause episodes of AFib. For this reason, it may be helpful to create your own AFib diet plan and discuss it with the physician. Below are a few common foods that can trigger AFib.
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Why Do I Get Heart Palpitations After Eating
Heart palpitations can be frightening. In some instances, they may be a sign of a serious heart-related medical issue, which is why its common to be alarmed when you experience them. However, heart palpitations are often relatively benign and shouldnt necessarily be a cause for concern. This is often true when they occur after eating.
Its common to feel like your heart is beating too rapidly or irregularly when you experience palpitations. While the actual symptoms differ for everyone, heart palpitations typically result in:
- A feeling like your heart is skipping a beat
- A pounding or throbbing sensation that feels like your heart is beating too hard
- A fluttering sensation in your chest
- A racing heartbeat
Keep in mind that there are many potential causes of heart palpitations and when they occur after eating, its likely that they may be associated with your diet. Paying attention to what you eat can help you identify the potential cause of your palpitations.
The Toll It Takes On Your Health
Whether your favorite treat is a burger and fries or chocolate cake, its okay to indulge once in a while in moderation. Moderation can be difficult to determine, though, as portion sizes in America continue to grow. Over the last five decades, the average size of food servings, whether from fast food, sit-down restaurants or grocery stores, has grown by as much as;138 percent. This, along with unhealthy relationships with food, can result in overeating.
Overeating;occurs when you eat beyond the point of feeling full. When you overeat, your body works overtime in order to support the digestive system. The amount of blood sent to your;gut causes your heart rate to go up. Your stomach has to expand in order to make room for the food. It releases hydrochloric acid to help break down food, which can result in heartburn.
The Link Between a Heavy Meal and Heart Attacks
Fatty meals are particularly taxing on the heart. In addition to contributing to higher cholesterol levels,;unusually heavy meals;may increase your risk of heart attack, possibly due to changes in blood flow and increases in heart rate and blood pressure after eating. If you have heart disease, limit foods that are high in fat and carbohydrates, particularly at a big meal, a celebration with lots of food, or when dining out at your favorite restaurant.
The Link Between Obesity and Heart Disease
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How Diabetes May Increase Your Risk For Afib
Type 2 diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin or a resistance to insulin, the hormone that helps get sugar out of your blood and into your cells. The causes of afib are not as well known. High blood pressure and other types of heart disease are thought to be possible causes. Type 2 diabetes may be another cause.
Diabetes seems to cause thickening of the heart muscle, called hypertrophy, and changes in the hearts electrical system in ways that we dont completely understand, said Dr. Denier.
One theory is that inflammation swelling and irritation caused by diabetes may also cause afib. Another theory is that high levels of blood sugar cause hypertrophy of the left side of the heart. We have more theories than facts, but we know that diabetes causes a remodeling of the heart. We also know that poorly controlled blood sugar makes symptoms harder to control in people who have afib, said Dr. Le.
Why Foods Cause Heart Palpitations
Feeling palpitations after eating is a relatively common experience, which tends to occur when a substance in your food or drinkor your bodys natural biochemical response to that substancejolts the hearts electrical system and causes fluttering sensations, skipped beats, or a feeling that your heart is beating too hard or too fast.
Coffee drinkers, think about the last time you drank one cup too many. You know what I mean!
If your heart is healthy and you have no history of arrhythmia or heart diseaseand youre not experiencing any other symptomstheres little need to worry about an occasional episode of these irregular beats. For people who do have arrhythmias;or cardiac issues, however, its a different story. Palpitations caused by food can cause an existing disruption in your hearts rhythm to escalate, and potentially lead to a major event.
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Magnesium Or Drugs For Atrial Fib
There are quite a few studies that use magnesium along with drugs that help to regulate the heart rate or rhythm in atrial fibrillation. These studies are quite eye-opening and illustrate the importance of magnesium in the body.
Studies of people who did NOT have surgery, but came to the hospital with atrial fibrillation from other causes, were treated with magnesium as a sole treatment for atrial fibrillation. These studies showed that either:
- Magnesium alone was able to change the rhythm back to a normal rhythmOR
- Magnesium was able to help slow the heart rate to a more normal rate.
And this may be the reason that there are some who believe that;Epsom Salt Uses;for atrial fibrillation can be of benefit. Epsom salt is not SALT, but magnesium and it can be absorbed right through the skin and be of benefit for conditions where magnesium deficiency is a problem.;
WARNING: If you DO have atrial fibrillation,a sudden ‘conversion’ of your heart to it’s normalrhythm COULD cause dangerous blood clots to be;released. You MUST involve your cardiologistbefore you begin taking magnesium!
How To Reduce Sugar Consumption
The problem with many foods is that sugar is often hidden. With more than 70 different names for this ingredient, it’s not surprising that it’s often overlooked. Sugar is concealed in condiments, pasta sauces, salad dressings, yogurt, and bread. It is found on labels under names like brown rice syrup, barley malt, beet sugar, agave, and sucrose. It’s easy for folks to eat more sugar than they intend to, so it’s important to look at labels very closely.
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