Does A Plant-Based Diet Reduce the Risk Of Atrial Fibrillation?

Many of us are drawn to the possible benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet, which mostly or entirely revolves around non-animal, plant-based foods. But does a vegetarian/vegan diet make a difference in atrial fibrillation? Or do we strike this off of our list of possible dietary changes?

Getting right to it, a plant-based diet may offer mixed results related to preventing or controlling atrial fibrillation. Let’s find out why!

Why Vegetarian/Vegan Diets May Be Suitable for Afib

On the one hand, eliminating many saturated fats, especially red meat, whole milk, and cheese, by going plant-based can effectively reduce high blood pressure and ultimately help prevent or improve atrial fibrillation. Staying on a plant-based diet offers a more significant opportunity to eliminate the “bad stuff” that can sometimes underpin Afib and keep body weight under control, a considerable risk factor for atrial fibrillation.

Why Vegetarians and Vegans Must Be Careful

On the flip side, however, a plant-based diet does not necessarily eliminate sugars and saturated fats. There are plenty of ways to stumble. For example, plant-based meat substitutes often have significant levels of saturated fat, so much so that they may be comparable to their meat counterparts. Further, plenty of sodium is frequently added to these products. Knowing this, you might realize that even a plant-based diet can be less than healthful, depending on the source.

The same is true for sugar. Many vegan-friendly foods and drinks are supplemented with sugar to make them more palatable. Remember that sugar isn’t the enemy—we all need glucose for our bodies to function. However, added sugar is on the bad list and should be minimized as much as possible. So, be sure to check the nutrition label. Now, before heading down the diet soda route, there is evidence that artificially sweetened soda may be even worse for Afib than its sugar-sweetened counterpart.

Of course, there is also the concern over appropriate nutritional intake. One of the biggest concerns of a meatless diet is that some patients do not receive a full complement of complete proteins. Only a few vegan-friendly foods are complete protein sources – quinoa and soy are examples. Other foods, like rice and lentils, can be combined to form a meal with all the amino acids we need. Patients who choose a plant-based diet should speak to their doctors about supplements to ensure they receive all the nutrition their bodies require.

The Bottom Line

Plant-based diets may be an option for certain patients but should not be taken for granted as an entirely healthy way to live without dietary boundaries. Instead, patients can consider vegetarianism and veganism to improve their health while following a balanced diet.

Further, while there is the temptation to try to fix Afib through lifestyle change alone, patients should still be under the care of a qualified medical team. While lifestyle problems may have caused Afib initially, an improved diet alone may not be enough to correct it. Second, Afib can be present without symptoms yet still cause the same concerns, including an increased risk of stroke and heart failure. Finally, Afib becomes more challenging to treat the longer it is left untreated, so early detection and proper intervention are key.

With the straightforward, safe, and effective treatment options we have today, including new technology like pulsed field ablation, it’s never been easier or safer to be treated for atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmias. While it is important to modify diet and exercise habits to reduce the effect or help prevent the onset of a new Afib episode, being under the care of a qualified electrophysiologist like Dr. Tordini is critical for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.