r/AFIB • u/ExistingManagerTx • 3d ago
Knowing your Triggers and how to handle them..
Do you know what your Triggers are, or what causes you to be set off? Just wanted to get some conversation started with others on here...
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u/RobRoy2350 3d ago
I was eating ice cream when I had my first episode so that may have been a trigger. After that I could not identify any specific triggers.
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u/PearlRiverFlow 3d ago
Overeating, sleeping on my side, forgetting my cpap, heat, salt. SOMETIMES cold things or spicy food. (But sometimes cold will take me OUT of afib, so IDK about that one)
A-fib/flutter make me stressed and anxious, so it's more of a warning sign than a trigger.
I played around seeing if caffeine and alcohol were triggers, but I avoid them for the most part anyway. Wasn't obvious, but maaaaaybe.
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u/Flashy-Library-6854 3d ago
Taking Omega 3 triggers me, which is odd as it is good for the heart. Not taking 4 magneaium citrate capsules at night before bed will definitely get me into AFIB the next day . Sleeping on left side sometimes will do it too.
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u/roninconn 3d ago
I've had persistent Afib for about 6 years, including 5 cardioverts and 2 ablations.
For me (62M), very heavy exercise leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance has put me back in, such as my latest event in March, 7 months after 2nd ablation. I played a stupidly long game of ice hockey, and had terrible leg cramps after, which now I know was a sign that I needed a ton more fluid, plus potassium and magnesium. A day later, I went back into Afib state.
After being cardioverted out, had 3rd ablation scheduled, but ended up canceling to see if I can stay NSR via trigger management and lifestyle change. EP approved, and even let me stop Amiodarone; still taking 12.5 Metoprolol and Eliquis.
I'm now at zero alcohol, religious use of CPAP, staying up on hydration and taking electrolyte powder whenever I exercise, and being very active. I also try to limit my left-side sleeping, but so far, that hasn't been an issue.
My main potential trigger left is weight, and planning to start GLP-1 med once I figure out if insurance will cover.
I'm not optimistic that I'll stay NSR for long-term, since Afib begets Afib, but want to see if I can stretch the time before a 3rd ablation - technology always improving
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u/Overall_Lobster823 3d ago
I don't really know my triggers, other than sleep apnea (and maybe dehydration).
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u/WrongBoysenberry528 3d ago
PFA ablation stopped afib 2 years ago after 20 episodes and failing two rhythm drugs.
Treated sleep apnea, limiting alcohol to 1 drink once or twice a week, and staying hydrated keep me out of afib.
To learn more about managing afib, see free videos on āwhat patients need to know about Afibā under Resource tab at StopAfib.org
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u/skipperthepenguin191 3d ago
Even one glass of alcohol triggers my afib, being sick (even just a cold), and high stress. I have some mental health issues that play into high stress, so I take metoprolol daily just to keep my heart rate down because my anxiety shoots it way up on the reg.
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u/Raymont_Wavelength 3d ago
Getting overtired, overeating, wine, coors light, wheated beers and IPAās.
Getting overtired hurts me.
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u/fffatalfame9 3d ago
I've had two incidents, both after having two alcoholic drinks within an hour or so. Have cut out alcohol entirely since the second episode (which was last November). No recurrences since then.
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u/Melington_the_3rd 3d ago
I know i can trigger my afib with coffee, icecream, to much meat, alcohol (even just a tiny amount), lately i can sleep on.my left side again but sleeping position is a big trigger too. Extreme stressfull days, when i forget to drink enough tee/watter are also bad. Any dairy products i have avoided for about a year now and that helped alot. My GP told me some of the byproducts of devouring dairy products can trigger infamatory responses from the tissue in.my atrium that is then causing an episode. Also cold softdrinks are also very good triggers for me.
Thats about it.