6 atrial fibrillation triggers

You can experience atrial fibrillation without visible symptoms, or have a sudden attack without a trigger: this heart condition's symptoms as well as its triggers can be unpredictable. However, it is important to be able to identify at least some triggers, to decrease the frequency of attacks and lower the risk of a stroke.

Some of the common afib triggers include alcohol, smoking, exercise, and over-the-counter cough and cold medications. Here is the list of less known triggers, which can be equally dangerous for your heart:

Medical procedures

Heart surgery as well as any other type of surgery or medical procedure can be a trigger, as it is causes physical and emotional stress which stimulates your heart. Let your doctor know about your atrial fibrillation history before you have any medical procedure, even a minor one.

Travel

Taking a trip can expose you to potential afib triggers. These include becoming overtired, the stress of travel, and a change in sleep patterns, which can trigger the fight-or-flight response. Whenever you travel, get enough sleep, stay well hydrated, and don’t skip meals.

Stress

Stress is a common trigger of atrial fibrillation, and too much stress is like a shot of adrenaline to your heart. Identify your personal stressors and take steps to avoid or defuse them. If you can’t rule out all causes of stress, practice stress-reduction techniques to lessen the impact.

The holidays

“Holiday heart” is a well-documented atrial fibrillation trigger. That’s because the holidays can be a bonanza of triggers, including stress, fatigue, and alcohol use. Alcohol has an especially irritating effect on the heart, and binge drinking is a classic afib trigger. For this reason, it’s important to know your limits.

Air pollution

Atrial fibrillation attacks may go hand-in-hand with air pollution. In one study, researchers followed 176 people with atrial fibrillation with implanted defibrillators that turn on when an episode occurs. Two years’ worth of data from the study showed that there were more attacks of afib when air pollution was high.

The culprit seems to be very fine particles of pollution from cars and power plants that travel deep into the lungs and trigger atrial fibrillation. To prevent an afib episode, check local air quality daily, and don't go outdoors when pollution is high.

Dehydration

Dehydration can trigger atrial fibrillation. Low levels of minerals in the blood (electrolytes), especially potassium, can trigger an abnormal heart rhythm, and when you’re dehydrated, electrolytes are depleted. Dehydration is most common in hot weather, especially when exercising outdoors, but it can also result from an illness that includes vomiting or diarrhea. Be sure to drink enough water on hot days and whenever you're sick.

Atrial fibrillation triggers are abundant and often surprising. Even seemingly happy events, like vacations and celebrations, can trigger an attack. It is important to keep everything in moderation, to avoid as much as possible, the situations that can cause an attack.

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Which of these triggers has impact on your atrial fibrillation? Do you know any others?

Is it easy for you to determine your triggers?