A heartbeat is the contraction of the heart to pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. One’s heart beats irregularly or quickly when affected by atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition affects millions in our country and is often caused by changes to the heart’s tissue or electrical signaling. Eating the following unhealthy foods may trigger or worsen the symptoms and suppress the effects of AFib treatments.

Sausages
Processed foods like sausages are easy to prepare and can be found in most supermarkets. However, they are unhealthy for people diagnosed with AFib and must be excluded from the meal plan. These foods are high in calories, preservatives, and salts, which may negatively impact the heart. Poor heart health can, in turn, trigger or worsen the condition’s symptoms. Besides sausages, other processed foods one should exclude from their meal regime include bacon, ham, and frozen foods like burgers and pizzas.

Coffee
Coffee is a go-to beverage for those who want a quick energy boost during long hours at work. Studies have shown that controlled amounts of the drink could improve one’s health in specific instances. However, too much could lead to excessive caffeine in the body. Since caffeine stimulates the cardiac system, it could trigger episodes of AFib. Drinking coffee may also lead to cardiovascular events like arrhythmias and cardiac complications. Therefore, someone at risk of AFib should limit or stop their coffee intake.

Salt
Most people add a hint of salt (or more) while cooking or sprinkle it over a meal for added flavor. But the ingredient is among the worst for people at risk of heart conditions. Excess salt intake may enhance the sodium content in the body and elevate blood pressure, a common trigger for health complications like AFib. So, experts recommend reducing salt consumption to manage blood pressure and prevent health complications.

Candy bars
Candy bars are a popular sweet food that most people enjoy occasionally. However, it is rich in sugars, an unhealthy ingredient for everyone, including those with AFib. Sugar intake may increase the risk of heart disease, which could permanently affect one’s life. Apart from candy bars, one could reduce the consumption of cookies, chocolates, cakes, and sugary drinks like sodas.

Margarine
Individuals often resort to margarine as an alternative to butter. However, one should note that margarine is high in trans fats, which is closely associated with the onset of AFib. Adding too much of the spread to foods may raise LDL (unhealthy) cholesterol and lower HDL (healthy) cholesterol. This could make blood platelets stickier and increase the risk of heart disease, which may trigger potential conditions like AFib. Foods that usually contain excessive amounts of trans fats include those made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, potato chips, burgers, and doughnuts.