Is is common to have Atrial Fibrillation after vomiting?

Question

This is the second time it has happened to me and I was wondering how common it is. Yes, I do have a history of heart disease, and I do see a Dr. about it, but I always forget to ask this question. I am 28, the first time I was 20......I DO NOT USE DRUGS OF ANY KIND

I would like to thank you all for your responses, I have been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and have had no symptoms for 5 years now, my ejection fractions have been excellent. I did go to the ER and they told me I am in A Fib, they did not convert me this time, they are hoping that my body will do it natrually, it hasn't yet.....we'll see, last time they had to convert me......

Answer 1

It is a possibilty because you heart sits right above your diaphram, and your stomach is under your diaphram. Your diaphram is kind of like a seperator I guess you can say. So with your stomach all twisted and your vomiting this can cause it. Just because your heart is getting pushed against. Make sure that you are sure that it is atrial fibrillation. You might just get a few ackward pulses because of your heaving.

Answer 2

I was OFFICIALLY diagnosed with AFIB at 34, I had it long before that, but it's difficult to diagnose sometimes. I would convert back to normal rythyms before I could get to the ER or to the doctor.

It was infrequent at first, maybe once or twice a year, short in duration.

As time passed, it became more frequent, and lasted much longer.

As a true Afibber, there are not really any "treatments" that can fix this, sometimes I can be converted with cardozem... but mostly no. I do take Tikosyn twice a day, and still have bouts with AFIB.

Vomiting, can certainly induce an AFIB attack, just as I've known fellow Afibbers to be triggered by drinking a slushie, or following a big meal....the vasal vegal nerve stimulation is what causes these triggers in some Afibbers.

Follow up with your doctor. I have no other heart disease, and have been living with AFIB for the last ... 10 years at least...and I'm 41 now.

Answer 3

"Heart disease" and "atrial fibrillation" are in the first place very uncommon in 28 year old females. Heart disease implies you either have coronary artery disease (the kind that causes heart attacks and angina) or cardiomyopathy - which, while possible, would be very unfortunate at age 28.

You may have a congenital heart defect like a atrial septal defect (a hole in your heart between two chambers) or a congenital valvuar problem like mitral valve prolapse or aortic stenosis. These conditions would be more likely to be sources of paroxsymal atrial fibrillation in a young person - but there are several others too. Comparitively more common in young people than afib is supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) of which Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome is a subcategory.

Regardless you do not mention how you know when you are in an arrythmia. If this is a symptomatic condition then I should think it would make sense for you to be on either a b-blocker or a calcium channel blocker and/or digoxin to potentially prevent and/or slow the ventricular rate down as well as spontaneously convert the rhythm back to normal sinus. Additionally you may potentially be at risk for stroke given the nature of the spontaneous conversion to an arrythmia and back...given that, it may make sense for you to be on a blood thinner depending on your risk...something to discuss with your medical provider.

Now to answer your question about vomiting and conversion to afib. Sure why not? Many things can convert people to afib including respiratory illness (coughing), urinary tract infections, hiccups, dehydration, too much caffiene or cold medication, asthma attacks, etc, etc.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Addendum: One respondant above countered that CAD has nothing to do with afib. This is incorrect on two counts - First, If you read what I wrote, I did not make that assertion. Secondly, if I had, I would have been correct. For example, infarcted area at the atria can dramatically affect function and can result in a dilated atria....which in turn can precipitate afib. Ischemic cardiomyopathy also precipitates afib. Both of these happen all of the time. I might suggest to that respondant while I appreciate his input, that he first should read what was written and then refrain from speaking on subjects he is apparently not well versed in.

Given the additional information you provided, I am surprised that you are not on a B-blocker day-to-day. Congratulations on the improved EF. Perhaps your sinus rhythm goes too slowly on the medication?

Answer 4

I know this question is 10 years old, but in case someone comes across this question and need answers i will answer. I'm young i am 25 and i get afib when vomiting, i vomited 2 times in the past 2 years and both time i got afib immediately following the vomiting. My heart rate shot up to 150-170 so i went to the er both times and my heart returned to normal sinus rhythm in a few hours and my heart rate dropped back to normal about 30 mins to an hour once i got cardizem. After having a lot of tests ran such as echocardiogram ekg chest xrays and alot of blood tests i was told i have a healthy heart, and the cardiologist wasn't concerned. It's scary to think about, especially when you get a stomach ache your anxiety will kick in because all you can think about is having to spend days in the hospital because your heart is out of rhythm. Even healthy hearts can get out of rhythm, so try to ignore it if your doc isn't concerned and just take it a day at a time.

Answer 5

A-Fib? Why Do You Think it is A-Fib? Sounds Like PVCs.

I Found this:

CLINICAL FEATURES.

The prevalence of premature complexes increases with age, and they are associated with male sex and a reduced serum potassium concentration. PVCs are more frequent in the morning in patients after myocardial infarction, but this circadian variation is absent in patients with severe LV dysfunction. Symptoms of palpitations or discomfort in the neck or chest can result because of the greater than normal contractile force of the post-extrasystolic beat or the feeling that the heart has stopped during the long pause after the premature complex. Long runs of frequent PVCs in patients with heart disease can produce angina, hypotension, or heart failure. Frequent interpolated PVCs actually represent a doubling of the heart rate and can compromise the patient's hemodynamic status. Activity that increases the heart rate can decrease the patient's awareness of the premature systole or reduce their number. Exercise can increase the number of premature complexes in some patients. Premature systoles can be quite uncomfortable in patients who have aortic regurgitation because of the large stroke volume. Sleep is usually associated with a decrease in the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias, but some patients can experience an increase.



Are you Vomiting Frequently?

BTW, A-fib Coming On has Nothing Whatsoever to do With the Coronary Arteries, as Mentioned Below By the PA, PVCs, Maybe. Vomiting Frequently Might Cause a Drop In Serum Potassium.

Additionally, if you Wish to Contact Me Directly, you Can.

Answer 6

If you only have A-fib after vomitting and it stops shortly after without any treatment i wouldnt worry about it. Some people have A-fib and A-flutter as there normal rhythms. Im also curious how you know its a-fib. do you have a 12 lead at home?

Answer 7

THere would be no way for you to know at home what your heart rhythm is unless you have a home monitor. More than likely it is premature beats from the stress of getting sick, not A-fib.

Answer 8

Call your doctor a.s.a.p. nausea/vomiting and atrial fibrillation are warning signs. get it checked out, but don't panic.

Answer 9

Informative topic, just what I was looking for.

Answer 10

Frankly, I don't think so