Track Triggers
Now that you have spent time researching general information about AFib and related diseases, spend time focused on your loved one.
Begin a tracking sheet to monitor AFib symptoms for the person in your life. By doing this, you can attempt to identify trends and patterns in symptoms. Do periods of AFib only happen at night or in the morning? Do certain foods or drinks have an effect on heart function? Is exercise a support or a risk factor?
It is likely impractical and unhealthy for you to constantly be by their side checking for symptoms, and that’s why a tracking sheet is helpful. You can create tracking sheets with multiple copies, teach your loved one about the symptoms and data you are interested in and allow them the task of completing it.
The sheet needs space for date, time, symptoms, severity of symptoms, duration of symptoms, possible triggers and response to symptoms. This process yields valuable information while maintaining a sense of autonomy for your loved one.
Along with the tracking sheet, create a list of triggers that are widely problematic for people with AFib. Things like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and various over-the-counter medications frequently cause increased symptoms for people with AFib. Making these known to yourself as well as them will avoid dangerous situations.
Reduce the Pressure
High blood pressure, AFib and stroke share an intimate relationship. To reduce the risk of stroke and the risk of AFib, your loved one must reduce their blood pressure.
The good news is that there are many ways to accomplish this, including increasing focus on exercise, diet and relaxation for your loved one. The benefits are far-reaching, as they will lower their blood pressure, and by engaging in these changes with them, you receive the stress relief associated.
Beginning with exercise, there is no simpler or more beneficial activity than walking. The positive impact on your loved one’s physical health is varied, but the reduction in blood pressure is the focus. Going on walks with your loved one with AFib allows you to reap the rewards for yourself.
Walking three times weekly for 30 minutes can also improve mental health as well. Walking will do a world of good for you both as long as the doctors approve the activity level.
Diet changes following an AFib diagnosis are necessary to reduce risk of continued complications or new symptoms. A heart-healthy diet that focuses on ways to reduce blood pressure is the target. Removing extra salts and sticking to lean, white meats is typically recommended.
Shop with your loved one in the beginning to educate them so that they are able to make good food choices moving forward. Along the same lines, creating a weekly menu on Sundays can avoid confusion later in the week. This way, you can be certain that their food choices are improving their health rather than hindering it. With consistency, you can reduce your involvement to put the responsibility back on your loved one.
Walking and diet changes indirectly affect mental health, but there is an effective way to improve it while improving blood pressure: relaxation. Perhaps, your loved one will be resistant to relaxation techniques initially, but over time, they will begin to understand and appreciate the benefits.
Talk to doctors, mental health professionals and friends about what relaxation techniques would be appropriate for your loved one. Many useful articles online describe wonderful techniques like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, autogenics and guided imagery. As you practice with them, you will receive the positives as well.
Conclusion
Caring for someone with AFib requires a certain set of skills that you might not have early on in the process. Help your loved one by educating yourself in the subject of AFib. The related issues may seem overwhelming, but focusing on the facts while taking precautions of lower blood pressure will lead to success for your loved one. As a caretaker, there success is your success. Savor it.
