How do you adjust your food?
Irregular heartbeats can be a symptom of atrial fibrillation, also called “atrial fibrillation”. This arrhythmia can be treated with various treatments. But to limit the risk of complications, it is important to watch your diet.
What is atrial fibrillation?
“Atrial (or atrial) fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to race and beat irregularlyrecalls the Health Insurance. Its appearance is favored by aging and the presence of cardiac pathology (hypertension, heart valve disease, etc.), obesity, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. It can manifest itself in time-limited episodes, the beats are then irregular for a few days, then become regular again; or it may be permanent. The most important risk factor is age: the pathology affects more than 10% of people over 80 years old.
Atrial fibrillation: adapting your diet to the treatment
The treatment of this cardiac arrhythmia is based on different drugs that help regulate the heartbeat and block the formation of blood clots, which can trigger a stroke. Anti-coagulants have precisely this role: “these are drugs that prevent coagulation“, specifies the Health Insurance. There are two types of anti-coagulants: antivitamins K or direct oral anticoagulants. The first block the action of vitamin K, to prevent blood clotting.
If you are taking this type of medicine, it is important to eat “without excess foods containing a large amount of vitamin K (broccoli, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)”. The Health Insurance indicates that a significant consumption can interact with the treatment. “They are not prohibited emphasizes the National Medicines Safety Agency, provided they are distributed regularly in the diet and consumed without excess.” If your treatment is based on direct anticoagulants, there is no food at risk of interference, but other products can have an impact on the quality of life.
Respect certain lifestyle measures in the event of atrial fibrillation
Health insurance recommends that people with atrial fibrillation adapt their lifestyle. This includes stopping smoking, which is one of the potential triggers of episodes of atrial fibrillation. It is also important to limit the consumption of alcohol and coffee, which are cardiac stimulants. In general, it is advisable to have a balanced diet, which reduces the risk of complications.
