Foods to Avoid when you have Atrial Fibrillation and Columbus CPR Classes

Electrical messages produced by a part of the heart called the sinus node (sometimes called the ticker’s “natural pacemaker”) is what controls the heart’s pumping action. Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib) is a common abnormal heart rhythm that happens because, as well as the sinus node sending out regular electrical impulses, different places in and around the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) also produce electrical messages, in an uncoordinated way which causes the atria to twitch, and is felt as an irregular heartbeat or pulse.

Symptoms of A-fib includes palpitation, shortness of breath, tiredness, dizziness or feeling faint. Some people have no symptoms at all while some people only have mild symptoms.

Here’s a list of foods that you should avoid when you have A-fib:

Instant Oatmeal- Extra sugar can lead to obesity and high blood pressure, which can set off bouts of A-fib. Most adults should have about 22 teaspoons everyday, women should get no more than 6 a day, and men no more than 9. When it comes to oatmeal, a popular fruit-flavored brand has about 11 grams of sugar in one packet -- almost 3 teaspoons of added sugar.

Coffee- Go easy on your coffee although the science on caffeine as a trigger for atrial fibrillation is somewhat mixed. Although older research suggests a link, but newer studies don’t. Still, do not consume coffee in excess as it could raise your blood pressure and heart rate, which might set off episodes of AFib- stick to no more than two or three cups in a day.

Leafy Greens- Doctors usually prescribe blood thinners that can help stop clots, formation of which can lead to a stroke. But blood thinners or anticoagulants like warfarin may not work as well when you eat foods high in vitamin K like lettuce, spinach, and kale. You aren’t required to keep these healthy veggies off your table, just ask doctor to adjust the dose of your medicine so it can still do its job.

Grapefruit- Skip this citrus fruit if you take medicine to control your heart rhythm as grapefruits and grapefruit juice have chemicals that can change the way you digest amiodarone (it is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat and prevent a number of types of irregular heartbeats) and dofetilide which makes side effects from these drugs more likely. Consult with your doctor regarding this.

Butter- Skim milk and low-fat or fat-free dairy products are better heart-healthy choices. Avoid dairy products made from whole or 2% milk, cream, and cheese- they are sources of saturated fat. Your body already makes all the "bad" cholesterol it needs and eating foods with saturated fat just adds to that.

Fried Foods- Trans fat is the worst type of fat you can eat, they raise blood cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Avoid doughnuts, potato chips and french fries as they have trans fat. Baked goods including cookies, cakes and muffins may have it as well. In the ingredients, watch out for “partially hydrogenated oil”.

Energy Drinks- According to a small study, energy drinks caused more changes to the heart's rhythm than other drinks with just as much caffeine. Another study associated energy drinks to bouts of atrial fibrillation.

White Rice- Instead of white rice, opt for whole-grain brown or wild rice as whole grains are more filling and may help lower your chance of stroke whereas the former has been stripped of the nutrients and fiber your heart needs to stay healthy.

Eat well and keep your ticker in a good shape.

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