|
Arrythmias
What is arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia refers to a disturbance in the rhythm of the heartbeat. Some arrhythmias are very mild and nothing to worry about (such as most cases of atrial fibrillation and premature ventricular contractions); others are potentially life threatening (such as ventricular tachycardia and severe ventricular arrhythmias). One of the most common disturbances in heart rhythm is an atrial fibrillation - a minor arrhythmia in which the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) beat irregularly and very rapidly (up to 300 to 500 beats a minute). An atrial fibrillation is a minor disturbance because the atrium's job is simply to fill the ventricle-the lower chamber. However, chronic atrial fibrillation does carry with it a slight increased risk for a stroke as blood can pool in the atria increasing the likelihood of clot formation. Another minor rhythm disorder is premature ventricular contractures or PVCs. This arrhythmia reflects an irregular heartbeat, but the heartbeat itself is normal at a normal rate as opposed to ventricular tachycardia in which the beat is too fast (120 to 200 per minute). Other ventricular arrhythmias tend to be even more serious, such as ventricular fibrillation-rapid, uncontrolled, and ineffective contractions of the heart. These arrhythmias are considered major arrhythmias because they can lead to death.
What are the signs and symptoms of arrhythmia?
Many mild arrhythmias go unnoticed, or a person may feel the heart is beating out of pace or too rapidly (palpitations). In contrast, more serious arrhythmias can represent a medical emergency and can be associated with a heart attack.
What causes arrhythmia?
Arrhythmias are primarily the result of a disturbance in the electrical system within the heart that stimulates the heart to beat. Arrhythmias can also occur when sets of heart muscle develop their own beat. Magnesium and potassium deficiencies are well-known nutritionally related causes of arrhythmia.
What dietary factors are important in arrhythmia?
A diet designed to support healthy heart function is necessary: eliminate salt (sodium chloride) intake; eat a high-potassium diet rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates; increase dietary consumption of celery, garlic, and onions; and reduce or eliminate the intake of saturated fats. Also focus on increasing your intake of magnesium; the best food sources of magnesium are legumes, tofu, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Fish, meat, milk, and most commonly eaten fruit are low in magnesium.
What nutritional supplements should I take for arrhythmia?
The goals in the natural treatment of arrhythmia and many other heart diseases are to improve energy metabolism within the heart and to improve the blood supply to the heart. Magnesium, CoQ10, and hawthorn extract can achieve these goals. In minor cases of arrhythmias, I have found the natural approach usually provides all the support the heart needs to function effectively. In more severe cases, drug therapy will also be necessary; however, that does not mean the nutritional and herbal measures should be abandoned.
Foundation Supplements. There are three products from Natural Factors that I think are critical in supporting good health:
- MultiStart (age and gender specific multiple vitamin and mineral formulas). Follow label instructions.
- Enriching Greens - a great tasting "greens drink" containing highly concentrated "greens" like chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass juice, barley grass juice, etc., and herbal extracts. Take one serving (one tablespoon) in 8 ounces of water daily.
- RxOmega-3 Factors - A true pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement. For arrhythmias, take five capsules daily. This dosage will provide 2,000 mg of EPA and 1,000 mg of DHA.
Magnesium deficiency plays a major role in many cases of arrhythmia. Magnesium improves the delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle by relaxing the coronary artery as well as improving the production of energy within the heart muscle. Take 150 to 250 mg of magnesium three times per day. Magnesium bound to aspartate, citrate, and malate is preferred to magnesium bound to oxide because of better absorption.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), like carnitine, also plays a major role in energy production within the heart. In one study, the frequency of angina attacks was reduced by fifty-three percent with CoQ10 supplementation. Take 200 to 300 mg daily.
Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) berry and extracts of its flowering tops exhibit a combination of effects that are of great value to patients with angina and other heart problems. Studies have demonstrated that hawthorn extracts are effective in reducing angina attacks as well as in lowering blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels. For best results utilize extracts containing either 10% procyanidins or 1.8% vitexin at a dosage of 100-250 mg three times daily.
How do I know if the program is working?
Any person with an arrhythmia or any other heart disease should have an extensive cardiovascular evaluation, including a complete physical exam to look for signs of poor blood flow; an electrocardiogram, which assesses the electrical function of the heart; an echocardiogram-an ultrasound procedure to assess how the heart is functioning from a mechanical perspective, as well as determining the heart's shape and size and a complete laboratory assessment, including red or white blood cell magnesium level determination. Serum magnesium levels do not accurately assess magnesium status in the body (many doctors may not know this fact).
Feedback:
Please let Dr. Murray know how this program has worked for you by clicking here.
Testimonials:
"Dr. Murray, I was really suffering from atrial fibrillation. The drugs I was prescribed did not work, other than to make me very tired. I followed your supplement program and after three days I could really feel the difference. Thanks, RB"
Condition Center Caution:
- Dr. Murray’s recommendations and protocols for nutritional support are not intended as a substitute for appropriate medical care.
- The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
- If you have a medical condition or disease, please talk to your doctor prior to using the recommendations given.
- Do not self-diagnose. Proper medical care is critical to good health. If you have a health concern or undiagnosed sign or symptom, please consult a physician, preferably a naturopathic doctor (N.D.), nutritionally oriented medical doctor (M.D. or (D.O.), or other health care specialist. Please go to www.naturopathic.org to find a qualified naturopathic doctor (N.D.) in your area to help you.
- Make your physician aware of all the nutritional supplements or herbal products you are currently taking to avoid any negative interactions with any drugs you are taking.
- If you are currently taking a prescription medication, you absolutely must work with your doctor before discontinuing any drug or altering any drug regimen.
|
