From its symptoms to its triggers, AFib or atrial fibrillation could be unpredictable. Much like how a person can have AFib without showing any symptoms, a person can also experience an attack without a known trigger.
Address this by keeping your body weight in a healthy range, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting restful sleep whether you’re living in one of those well-known assisted living facilities here in Phoenix, AZ, or at alone at home.
Most individuals, however, know at least a couple of their triggers, and this helps them reduce their risk of having a stroke and frequency of AFib attacks. The most common AFib triggers include smoking, alcohol, OTC cold and cough drugs, and exercise, but are you aware of these uncommon AFib triggers?
Specific Food and Drinks
AFib triggers could be specific to the person. For instance, some people experience an increase in attacks following drinking very cold drinks and foods such as ice cream, while others experience more attacks after consuming particular cuisines.
The key is to figure out your specific triggers by keeping a food diary to help you determine which specific foods may be triggering your attacks.
Stress from Emotional and Mental Issues
There are plenty of studies showing the link between AFib and mental stress. One study, for instance, suggests that there’s an increased possibility of a individual’s heart beat going out of rhythm when he or she are feeling extremely stressed out, angry, or anxious.
Also, even superficial stress could increase an individual’s risk of having an AFib attack. For many people, the heart physically feels or mirrors what’s happening in their lives, which can include circumstances that cause, depression, anxiety, anger, and stress.
Overexertion During Exercise and the Wrong Kind of Exercise
To significantly lower your risk of having an AFib attack, you need to eat a healthy diet, exercise for at least five days weekly, and keep your weight in check. However, more or intense exercise isn’t the answer and could actually trigger an AFib attack.
Some examples of intense exercises to avoid include high-intensity aerobics, running, strenuous hiking, and contact sports. With this in mind, if you are planning on starting or changing up your exercise routine, discuss safe options with your doctor and track your heart beat closely while exercising.
Environmental Factors
While research in this area is still in its infancy, some studies suggest that there’s a link between an increased risk of having AFib attacks and air pollution. One research suggests that long-term and constant exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
Managing your risk of atrial fibrillation and potential attacks is all about optimizing your lifestyle.
You should also monitor your pulse regularly, either manually or by using a device, making certain that it’s neither too slow or too fast, and not irregular. Ultimately, being aware of your condition, managing it well, and knowing the triggers that could potentially incite an attack play an immensely crucial role in managing your symptoms and improving your overall quality of life.
