Atrial fibrillation (AFib) doesn't directly cause fat-based weight gain, but it can lead to fluid retention (weight gain) due to poor blood flow, especially if it causes heart failure, and medications used for AFib, like some beta-blockers, can also cause weight gain. Additionally, AFib symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath can reduce exercise, indirectly contributing to weight gain, while obesity itself is a major risk factor for developing AFib in the first place.
Our study demonstrates that among patients with prevalent atrial fibrillation, progressive weight gain was incrementally associated with increased hospitalization for cardiovascular causes, not only for atrial fibrillation but heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction.
Ways to Lose Weight
Heart failure means that the heart isn't working as well as it should. One effect of this can be extra fluid in your body. This can cause rapid weight gain and can cause swelling in the ankles, feet or legs, or sometimes around the stomach.
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. If you quit smoking, you might gain weight.
Fluid retention in the body: If you experience rapid weight gain, this signals underlying conditions that impact the heart, liver, and kidneys, as well as an adrenal problem, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism. Poor sleep: Not getting enough quality sleep leads to weight gain.
Tips To Minimize Water Retention
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Many people first realize their heart failure is getting worse when they notice gaining more than two or three pounds in a day or more than five pounds in a week. This gain may be due to retaining fluids since the heart is not working properly.
If you're asking yourself, “Why am I gaining weight when I barely eat,” several factors may be at play. Your body may be holding onto fat stores if your eating habits are inconsistent or restricted. Or, your weight gain may be the effect of a sedentary lifestyle, medical condition, or long-term stress.
Three early warning signs of heart failure include persistent fatigue/weakness, shortness of breath (especially with activity or lying down), and swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles, and feet, often accompanied by rapid weight gain from fluid buildup, all signaling your heart isn't pumping efficiently enough. Other key indicators are a chronic cough (sometimes with pink mucus) and heart palpitations.
The 30-second rule in atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a widely used, though debated, guideline defining an AFib episode as an irregularly irregular heart rhythm lasting at least 30 seconds on an ECG, used to distinguish it from shorter, less significant atrial arrhythmias and help guide diagnosis and treatment, particularly for stroke risk and ablation success. While a standard for trials and device monitoring, newer research suggests shorter runs of AF might still be clinically important, prompting ongoing discussion about whether this threshold accurately reflects stroke risk and overall AF burden.
Aerobic activity increases your heart rate and breathing. Build up to doing at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity activity (like a brisk walk, light cycling or water exercise). You'll improve your heart health and stamina. Strength training improves your health and muscle control.
Cardiologists generally advise avoiding processed meats, sugary drinks and sweets, and foods high in trans fats and sodium, like most fried foods and salty snacks, because they raise bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, significantly increasing heart disease risk. Focusing on whole foods and limiting these culprits is key for heart health.
A personal survey of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), one of the most important causes of irregular heartbeats, has found that the majority of triggers for the condition are easily modifiable lifestyle choices, including alcohol, caffeine, exercise and lack of sleep.
Actress Jane Seymour faces the challenge of living with atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular and often rapid heartbeats. Atrial fibrillation disrupts the heart's normal rhythm, increasing the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other complications.
If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), you should avoid triggers like excessive alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and stimulants, manage stress, limit salt, and be cautious with intense exercise, while working with your doctor to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, as these habits and substances can worsen AFib or trigger episodes. You should also avoid certain medications, especially decongestants, and not ignore symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath during activity.
People with medical conditions, such as heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or those taking certain medications may experience this type of weight gain. But it's also possible that your diet could be leading to fluid retention – for example, if you're eating too many salty foods.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
People naturally lose muscle after 40, especially women after menopause. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, this can slow down your metabolism and make it harder to shake those stubborn pounds.
When AFib causes heart failure, fluid in the lungs can cause fatigue and shortness of breath. Oxygen-rich blood may not be delivered to the body and brain. This can cause physical and mental fatigue and weakness. Fluid also can build up in the feet, ankles and legs, causing weight gain.
Certain medical conditions can lead to unexplained weight gain. These conditions may include: Endocrine disorders. These include conditions like thyroid hormone deficiency, insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
In some people, particularly those who have been dieting or fasting, a meal that is high in carbohydrates, such as pasta or rice, can be stored as glycogen. Glycogen is stored with water, which causes an individual to gain water weight very quickly – as much as 2 pounds overnight.
4 Different Recipes You Can Easily Apply to Get Rid of Edema
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