Discussion Board

PROBLEM
What foods -- or elements of foods -- if any, raise or lower heart rate?

This topic might interest anyone who has tachycardia, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter. I did a search and I found nothing here in the McDougall Forums. Perhaps the reason is that particular foods cannot be used to control heart rate, either up or down.

From personal experience, I know that stimulants such as caffeine raise the heart rate. Based on proven studies, are there any foods or elements of foods that might tend to lower heart rate?

BACKGROUND
Here is the diet I am eating now: http://anti-itisdiet.blogspot.com/2010/ ... i-eat.html

It is a very low sulphur diet, which means starches from "roots" and gourds, almost any fruit, and most common vegetables (such as carrots), but generally avoiding "seeds" (grains, nuts, beans, peas) and all animal products.

I have tachycardia, and either atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation. (My cardiologist isn't sure which it is without further testing, probably an echocardiogram.)

I am taking 50 mg of Metoprolol, time release, daily. My heart rate is now typically 80-90 bpm, down from 130 without medication. (Formerly, my HR was about 60 bpm.) My blood pressure, on the Metoprolol, is typically about 125/75, unless I need to confront my cardiologist, the only one in this small town; then it goes to about 150/90. He is an interventionist, so I must constantly be on guard to keep myself from being drawn up the treatment escalator.

At 67, I walk about 1.5 to 2 hours daily in hilly country; and I do light weight lifting exercises daily.

I am unsure whether to request an increase in medication (possibly adding Digoxin, as Dr. McDougall has suggested) to bring the rate down -- or just live with my current rate and concentrate on the mental side of rate control.

Definitely stimulants will raise heart rate. There is one theory, very alt., that foods you personally are "sensitive" to (in a bad way) or allergic to will do it as well. Some advocate testing food sensitivities in just that way ie get a baseline, then eat a little of one food, wait a few minutes, and recheck heart rate. Not sure how much rise is considered to be noteworthy. No idea how relevant this is but thought I'd mention it.

Definitely stimulants will raise heart rate. There is one theory, very alt., that foods you personally are "sensitive" to (in a bad way) or allergic to will do it as well. Some advocate testing food sensitivities in just that way ie get a baseline, then eat a little of one food, wait a few minutes, and recheck heart rate. Not sure how much rise is considered to be noteworthy. No idea how relevant this is but thought I'd mention it.

I read the allergy theory years ago, that foods you are allergic to will raise your heart rate. but it seems yours was consistantly high. some herbal preparations can raise it.

when my pulse was fast (and my blood pressure low with metoprolol) it was because my heart wasn't working good enough to pump blood. I had to start taking lasix to remove fluid. I quit taking the metoprolol and the lasix keeps my blood pressure down. the fast pulse was all the time. now it's back down into the 60s.

the reason I quit take metoprolol was because the doctor switched me something "better" that made me so tired and sleepy. I quit taking it after a week, and I told the doctor so!

I hope you find something to help you.

Wheat increases my heartbeat. It is the way I figured out that something was going on when I ate it.

I have the same problem Tachchycardia. Avoid caffiene and I found that sugar will do it too. I am trying to stay GLUTEN FREE and that really helps as wheat really does a number on me. Hope you get better soon.