Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a condition which involves the heart. Essentially, those beset by AFib have different sections of the heart beating in different patterns as opposed to in unison. Those with AFib suffer from a number of symptoms — including shortness of breath, body fatigue, rapid beating of the heart, dizziness, and a general hindrance when it comes to exercise. For those with AFib, there are a number of foods to avoid. By not eating these foods, the individuals in question can avoid the distressing symptoms associated with the condition.
Alcohol
Though this shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, the liberal use of alcohol is scientifically reported to be detrimental to one’s heart — particularly those beset by AFib. The suggested amount includes the consumption of only 1-2 alcoholic beverages per day. The abuse of alcohol can lead to some diseases (obesity, sleep apnea/disruption, hypertension) that can hurt the heart. It can also make the appearance of AFib symptoms pop up with more regularity. By cutting down on alcohol consumption or quitting completely, symptoms should lessen considerably.
Sugar
The presence of too much sugar can be disruptive to overall heart health. By eating foods loaded with sugar over long periods of time with consistent frequency, one opens up the vulnerability to potentially developing AFib. Those with high blood glucose levels could lead to diabetes. From there, diabetic people also have a much higher percentage chance (reportedly) of developing AFib. As such, limiting the consumption of sugary drinks (Gatorade, soda, etc) along with cookies, cakes, and doughnuts is ideal as a preventative measure.
Fat
There are healthy fats (from fish, nuts, olive oil) and some not-so healthy fats. More commonly named saturated fats, these often come from butter, red meat, pastries, sugar-laden snacks, cheese, and anything fried. Without question, these types of fat are not good for AFib. Limiting the amount of these sorts of foods will only help one’s heart function at a better level. As opposed to chowing down on fried foods, eating things with fiber (such as fruits and vegetables) appear to be a much wiser choice.
Salt
Along with that, limiting salt is key. High sodium levels could lead to hypertension or even something like high blood pressure. This means cutting out processed food as much as possible. By cooking your own food, one can measure exactly how much seasoning they’d want to use rather than relying on something prepackaged.
Image Source: