This is interesting.
My EP says that alcohol is the # 1 trigger he sees for A Fib.
He's had to treat medical students for A Fib---- brought about by binge drinking after finals!

First time in ER at least 6 people asked me if I drank alcohol, smoked, or used drugs. My answer was no. They said 10% of the time, there are no risk factors-----A Fib just happens.
D.

I am a huge believer in "Afib Happens" - but, I truthfully wonder if I would have it, as I do, If I had "put the plug in the jug" more often.

In regards to fish oil. I don't take it, because, I take Pradaxa. I haven't asked my dr. about it, but I have read that the 2 are not compatible.

My EP did say I could take 400mg magnesium sulfate. He said it decreases the intensity of pounding heart beats. I don't take it often.

Sautee told me about low sodium V8 juice...a glass a day. I like drinking this at night.

Yogacat, I often wonder the same thing. I had been a heavy binge drinker from 17 years old on, ignorant to all the damage drinking can do. A-fib symptoms began at Age 28, and I only just in October finally quit alcohol. Unfortunately, no overall improvement in symptoms because there's plenty of other triggers now and as you say... 'A-fib happens.'

Good diet is important no matter if you have afib or not, if you eat well you win. Magnesium does help with the heart pounding and also helps with sleep for me.

Sean:

I've been reading your posts in here and it seems we have a lot in common. I was a heavy drinker too starting at age 18. I'm 41 now and while I'm not a heavy drinker, I do continue to drink. I won't stop drinking either unless someone tells me I'm going to die if I don't stop. I figure life is too short to give up something I enjoy too much, but I digress.

I personally think the afib epidemic has very little to do with alcohol and has more to do with hereditary factors and the American diet. People have been drinking for centuries and afib was never a big deal so why the sudden increase in afib? The only thing I can think of is our diet. It's all processed food and junk food. Just my two cents.

Travis

Travis,
I agree 100%...all the processed crap and GMO food must have a hand in this. I recall my doc telling me afib is called the "middle aged white man's disease," which does apply in my case. But from reading these posts you see many women, young people, non-white sufferers. Of course, there is no way to really tell the percentage of old white men on the site...me, Petey, McHale, Surfrat for sure..oops, I forgot, NOT polite to call other people old! Sorry about that, guys!

Old Bill

I have never been drunk in my life...just never liked the way alcohol makes me feel. I never have more than 1 drink and don't finish that. I have never smoked or used drugs. I even stopped caffeine in my 20's because a coke or cup of coffee would give me palpitations. I think I am genetically predisposed to afib.
I did, however, eat the typical American processed food diet and sugar was my drug of choice.
I find sugar to be a trigger and avoid it now. Also feel that wheat is a trigger for me as well as Chinese food (msg?).
I take 400mg of magnesium daily. I'm not sure if it has any effect on my afib. It has stopped the frequent muscle spasms I used to get in my legs so I believe it is something my body was lacking.
Eating a healthy diet and avoiding triggers has helped me reduce symptoms.

Cleveland Clinic:

15 foods that are good for your heart

Eat fish high in omega-3s, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and trout.
A handful of healthy nuts such as almonds or walnuts will satisfy your hunger and help your heart.
Berries are chock full of heart-healthy phytonutrients and soluble fiber. Try blueberries, strawberries, cranberries or raspberries in cereal or yogurt.
Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and phytoestogens to boost heart health. Take them in ground or milled form to reap the greatest benefit.
Oatmeal: the comfort-food nutrient powerhouse.
Dark beans,such as kidney or black beans, are high in fiber, B-vitamins, minerals and other good stuff. Veggie chili, anyone?
A glass of red wine can help improve good (HDL) cholesterol levels.
Try marinated tofu in a stir-fry with fresh veggies for a heart-healthy lunch or dinner.
Red, yellow and orange veggies such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers and acorn squash are packed with carotenoids, fiber and vitamins to help your heart.
Popeye was right spinach packs a punch! Use it in sandwiches and salads instead of lettuce.
Fruits such as oranges, cantaloupes and papaya are rich in beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium and fiber.
Tender, sweet asparagus is filled with mighty nutrients such as beta-carotene, folate and fiber, and only provide 25 calories per cup, or 5 calories per large spear.
Tomatoes even sun-dried varieties in winter months provide lycopene, vitamin C and alpha- and beta-carotene.
Dark chocolate is good for your heart health, but just be sure that its at least 70 percent cocoa.
Crisp, fresh broccoli florets dipped in hummus are a terrific heart-healthy snack with a whopping list of nutrients, including vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium and fiber.

Sounds yummy Carol. love that chocolate.

I was diagnosed with paroxysmal a-fib three years ago, and who knows what may have been going on before then. My a-fib is adrenergic - episodes are triggered mostly by exertion, and probably also by stimulants (too much coffee), and things that exacerbate my hypertension (too much salt). I was having five or six episodes per year, none lasting more than 24 hours. I've been taking blood pressure meds, which are controlling my hypertension really well (too well, sometimes), and I have not had an episode, now, in more than six months.

That said, I also radically changed my diet, and initiated a program of supplementation - the program was suggested by another a-fib support group, at www.afibbers.org. I am eating (mostly) according to the, so called, paleo diet: very low carb, no grains at all, no refined anything. I'm also pretty low salt - less than 2000mg/day. I have lost 50 pounds in the past six months, I've been walking, briskly, a minimum of 30 minutes/day every day, my blood sugar (I'm pre-diabetic) is well controlled.

So, is it the drugs, or the lifestyle mods? Well, I'm working on getting myself off the drugs. But, until then, ???

EndlessRoad, I don't know the answer to your question, but I too have made a drastic change in my diet . I adopted a plant based diet and if I prepare meals for myself I eliminate all animal products. However if I go out to eat or am invited to someone's house, I will eat something even though it contains butter, eggs or cheese, but I will not eat meat.
I'm on rhythm control meds and I didn't have any Afib episodes for over a year, even though I drink 2 cups of strong coffee every morning and have an occasional glass of red wine.
I take magnesium and a multivitamin and drink a glass of low sodium V8 juice daily. I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week and have done so for decades.
So who knows. But I do know my new diet gives me more energy and I feel a lot better.
Maybe Petey knows the answer.

EndlessRoad and Sanibel: For me, I noticed that the following has helped me feel better (I am not really symptomatic though):

1) Eating less make me feel better.
2) Moderate exercise does too.
3) Eating fresh fruit and vegetables, various beans, and less protein makes me really feel energized . I never was a big red meat eater.
4) Cutting back on carbs seems to help.
5) I DO take the vitamins they recommend for heart health and afib.

If you are adrenergic, it would seem staying away from stimulants and stressful situations should help.

I never ate junk and desserts since I was a kid... just didn't have the urge. Staying away from additives, msg, salt, etc seems like a good idea.

People have gotten off BP meds by doing the right things. I wouldn't chance getting off anticoagulants if indicated. As far as rhythm drugs are concerned, if you can reduce your afib burden, it would seem like you could just do PIP or nothing (if you seldom have afib).

That's the best I can do to comment.

One other thing. I eat cheese, salmon, chicken, and turkey. Not much of any of them though. I eat lentils, beans, and quinoa (sometimes). I use no butter or margarine. I don't like milk. So I eat really well. I don't want to go overboard with the vegetarian thing as I think my lean sources of protein are pretty healthy.

When I do all these things, I feel really well.. even if I didn't have afib, I would consider how I feel to be better than 95% of those my age. Moderation I think is the key.

petey