what about chocolate

the cardiologist treating my afib forbid chocolate completely. I occasionally still have some in slight amounts like dipped ice cream cones, but I know if I went full bore into a bag of peanut clusters I would end up with a least panic attacks and or another afib attack. Unlike most people who can barely feel their heartbeat, I could feel every afib beat almost like a pound in the chest, especially adversely affecting my sleep. I've had two afib attacks, one was converted back drug IV and the other I was electroshocked with the planks. Haven't converted to afib since I began taking a larger dose of Sotalol, but with my already congenitally low heart rate as low as 35 the cardiologist is thinking I will eventually become lightheaded and other symptomatic and require pacemaker (however I am in fairly good physical shape after being extremely athletic in my you and continuing exercise such as stair-climbing and free weight lifting which my account for "healthy" low heart rate. So am wondering if anyone could tell me if getting a pacemaker allows you to eat chocolate again, since goal of the pacemaker is to instantly stop arythmia and afib. my parents both have pacemakers and eat and drink whatever they want, but are mute on whether any of it causes them distress. thanks

7 Comments

thanks

by xplosion - 2014-06-04 03:06:01

I did not mean to imply I wanted a pacemaker just so I could eat chocolate again. I'm terrified of both the knife and going under anesthetic. I was joking with my wife yesterday that maybe if I got stuck with a PM I could eat chocolate again, then we got curious. My parents are in their 80s, eat and drink (alcohol) whatever they want, both with bad heart problems and on blood thinners, though on reconsideration I think only mom has a pacemaker, dad had valve replaced. I also remember now they are both in continuous afib and conversion attempts have failed, so yes I was mistaken that pacemaker controls that.

The new low of 35 bpm came after sitting in the doctor's office for two hours freezing in the air conditioning (I live in Florida, always going from hot to cold in this way including 8 hours at work). I have almost no body fat, should have asked for a blanket. When I take my blood pressure at work (very stressful job) the bpm is usually between 45 and 60. The doctor said at 35 bpm he would normally explore pacemaker if I had symptoms of lightheadedness or fainting, which I don't. He also said he would first cut back the sotalol which has a byproduct of slowing heartbeat, but that this would bring greater risk of another afib attack.

thanks for all your answers and advice

Theobromine and Caffeine

by Alma Annie - 2014-06-04 07:06:25

From what I can understand the amount of theobromine in chocolate does not have such an effect on the body as a cup of coffee, or even tea, or cola drinks, so it is better to keep away from those. Maybe you could eat just a little chocolate, rather than do what my husband does as when there is choc in the house, he will eat the lot.
Maybe change from coffee to a coffee substitute. I did years ago, and when you get used to it you won't like coffee any more.
By the way it is no big deal having a pacemaker inserted. Only sedation, no general anaesthetic, and a local for the incision.
All the best
Alma Annie

Similar Story

by gleesue - 2014-06-04 12:06:08

Sounds like you and I have a similar story. Athletic, exercise a lot. I could tell immediately when I went into A-fib. My normal heart rate is 50-60 but at times would drop down to the 30’s with little side effects. I have been cardioverted over 30 times but only once since got my PM in August of 2012. What caused me to finally get the PM was after a cardioversion my heart was going 6 – 10 seconds between heartbeats. The nurses were surprised that I didn’t’ have more symptoms, but because of being in such good physical shape my heart still pumped a good amount of oxygen even a low heart rate.

One thing you need to understand, a PM does not prevent A-fib or other arrhythmias. It may help prevent them because of maintaining a more regular heartbeat. My EP thought that one of my causes for going into an arrhythmia was my heart dropping into Bradycardia then shooting back to a higher rate and setting off an arrhythmia. Since I received My PM, I have only had to be cardioverted once and now it has been over a year.

Now about the chocolate, your Doctor probably wants you to stay away from caffeine. Caffeine is a probable cause of arrhythmias. But, it depends on how it affects your body. We are all different. I am a chocoholic. I eat it almost every day and sometimes I may binge a bit. If I did not work out as much as I do, I would probably weight 250 lbs. By the way, I also have a drink every day and some wine in the late evening. I am also a potatochipaholic. I do try to eat good healthy meals but probably also eat too much fast food. However, I do try to throw Subway in occasionally.

So watch the caffeine, but you can also test. I found out I could do certain things with little to no side effects. I feel that exercising is a key and may let you get away with a few of the bad things that perhaps other cannot.

Jerry

HR

by wjs1954 - 2014-06-04 12:06:14

i am no expert,,

but hr of 35 is low, very low, yes low even for someone who thinks of themself as athletic. not saying you should get a PM just cause of that..

as for wanting chocolate and using that for a reason for a PM, that i just do not get. but that is just me. Like i said i am Not a doctor or judge of others..

Chocolate; not all good news !

by IAN MC - 2014-06-04 12:06:46

Hi xplosion. It sounds as though you are one of the unlucky people who have attacks of arrhythmia triggered by theobromine (which chocolate contains ) so your cardiologist is probably making the right decision.

Unfortunately you are not right in thinking that a PM will instantly stop arrhythmia and afib. It won't !! So even with a PM ,chocolate will probably still be a trigger for you.

All it will do is put in extra beats when your heart rate gets too low and 35bpm is low !

Best of luck

Ian

yes the cardiologist did say stay away from all caffeine

by xplosion - 2014-06-05 01:06:28

guess I'm fixated on the chocolate hahaha. I never liked or drank coffee or tea, but I did drink a lot of caffeinated soda. There are non-caffeinated sodas I like so giving up the daily Coke etc has been less of a problem.

One interesting thing, my current cardiologist is the only MD I've ever met who is against limiting salt intake, even though I also have mild prolapsed mitral valve and mild hypertension. Neither should one go overboard on salt, but he questions the merits of a low-salt diet.

salt and chocolate

by Gotrhythm - 2014-06-05 02:06:22

As I understand it, only in about 15% of the population will salt drive up BP. Some cardiologists are backing down on the salt thing, because why should the other 85% be saddled with restrictions they don't need?

Me, I tried to the recommended "healthy" amount of salt and felt terrible. Blood test showed I was low on salt. Apparently I'm one who needs more, a lot more, than the daily requirement.

We should listen to the health professionals, but in the end, only we ourselves are responsible for our dietary intake.

Does your dr have reason to believe that for you, specifically, chocolate will bring on afib or is he basing the advice on general recommendations? You might want to ask him, and if he's okay with it, experiment to see if you are sensitive to chocolate.

Hey, it's all about quality of life.

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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