CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS
THE HEART IS AN AMAZING ORGAN. It is designed to beat within a basic rhythm, which ensures that it accomplishes its task of moving blood through the body with maximum efficiency. When something disturbs that normal rhythm, an arrhythmia occurs. A number of things could cause this irregular beating: a failure of electrical impulses within the heart; scarring from previous heart attacks; a drug reaction; a disruption in body chemicals such as calcium, magnesium or potassium; or a malfunction of the thyroid gland.
Many people experience 'skipped heartbeats', or what feels like heartbeat fluttering, when they become sleep-deprived, experience periods of emotional stress or overexert themselves physically. In these cases, rest and relaxation can help restore normal rhythm.
Arrhythmias might make you feel anxious, but most are not lifethreatening. Whether or not an arrhythmia is serious depends on what is causing it. If structural deformities or heart disease is present, the arrhythmias are symptoms of a greater problem. If you experience arrhythmias, see your doctor to rule out structural abnormalities or the presence of disease. One non-drug option for people with.arrhythmias may be an outpatient surgical procedure to destroy muscle fibres responsible for the disturbed beat. In the case of life-threatening arrhythmias, doctors may recommend implanting a pacemaker.
THERAPY AT THE TABLE
You've heard it before and you're likely
to hear it again: diet is a crucial factor in any ailment involving the heart.
Cardiac arrhythmia has been linked to food allergies. By all means, consult
an allergist but, because these sensitivities are subtle and often elude
conventional allergy tests, you may need to work with an experienced practitioner
- a clinical nutritionist or naturopathic doctor - to identify them. Meanwhile,
here are some foods you can emphasise and some you can cut back on or eliminate.
The Do's
Chicken, Cold-water fish, Fresh fruits, Garlic, Olive oil, Onions,
Raw almonds, Raw vegetables, Turkey, Water - 6 to 8 glasses per day
The Don't's
Alcohol, Caffein, Fried foods, Herbal stimulants such as ephedra
and guarana, High-fat dairy products, Margarine, Peanuts, Red meat, Soft
drinks, Sugar
DRUG TREATMENT
Calcium-Channel Blockers
Verapamil (Cordilox, Securon).
Function: interferes with exchange of calcium into cells to reduce the electrical
excitability of certain heart tissues.
Side effects: low blood pressure,
swelling of hands and feet, constipation, dizziness, headache.
Beta-Receptor Agonists
Propranolol (Inderal). Function:
controls arrhythmias by affecting chemical processes in the nervous system.
Side
effects: low
blood pressure, shorthess of breath, low heart rate, depression, fatigue,
erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Other Drugs
Digoxin (Lanoxin).
Function: decreases excitability of nerve and muscle
fibres in the heart.
Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea,
yellow-tinted vision, mental confusion.
SUPPLEMENTS TO HELP KEEP THE BEAT
The following nutrients may help ease arrhythmias:
-
Calcium chelate plus magnesium. Calcium is essential for maintaining a regular heartbeat and it helps all the body's muscles repair after exercise. Magnesium should always accompany calcium for maximum effectiveness of both minerals. Low levels of these two nutrients can occur in people with arrhythmias. Typical dosage: 500 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium combined with 400 to 800 milligrams of magnesium per day.
-
Coenzyme Q10. This nutrient is a general heart tonic.
Typical dosage: up to 400 milligrams per day. -
L-Carnitine. This nutrient reduces levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat, while boosting the delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle during times of stress.
Typical dosage: 1,000 milligrams per day in divided doses. -
Selenium. This nutrient acts as a powerful antioxidant in heart tissue, especially when paired with vitamin E (see below).
Typical dosage: 200 micrograms per day. - Vitamin E. This parther of selenium helps prevent
heart tissue damage and naturally thins the blood.
Typical dosage: 200 to 800 IU per day. -
Potassium. This mineral helps ensure proper ratios of body chemicals called electrolytes, which are often deficient in people experiencing arrhythmia. Typical dosage: aim for about 3,500 milligrams of potassium per day.
Caution: have your blood level for this mineral checked by a doctor before deciding on your dosage, because too much potassium is dangerous. A wide range of conditions and medications must not be combined with potassium supplements. -
Fish oil. Combine this easily obtainable supplement with vitamin E (or increase your consumption of cold-water fish) and you've got a potent heart tonic.
Typical dosage: 100 to 400 milligrams per day.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum)
This South Pacific
root can ease the anxiety that is a major cause of cardiac arrhythmias. And
while kava-kava does produce relaxation, it doesn't have the side effects
that pharmaceutical sedatives often do.
Typical dosage: up
to six 400- or 500-milligram capsules per day (look for supplements with
55 per cent kavalactones); or 15 to 30 drops of tincture up to three times
per day.
Caution: do not take when pregnant, breastfeeding, depressed
or operating machinery or vehicles.
Valerian (Valerian officinalis)
Many people with arrhythmias suffer also from insomnia, due to either their
anxiety about the disorder or other worries. Valerian is another safe but
potent herb for anxiety associated with arrhythmias. Precisely because it's
so potent, it's the one to choose as a sleep aid.
Typical dosage: 50
to 100 milligrams of standardised extract containing 0.8 per cent valeric
acid two or three times per day; or 20 to 60 drops of tincture per day.
Caution: continued
use of valerian can cause headaches, which can be avoided by taking a break
of two or three days every two weeks.
Camomile (Matricaria recutita)
Time-honoured, gently relaxing camomile is often consumed in pill or tea
form to soothe anxiety.
Typical dosage: 50 to 75 milligrams
of product standardised to one per cent apigenin content two or three times
per day; or 10 to 40 drops of tincture three times per day; or 3 or 4 cups
of tea per day (steep 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dried flowers in 1/4 litre of
hot water for 10 to 15 minutes).
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
A superior cardiovascular herb, hawthorn helps lower blood pressure and
strengthens the heart muscle. In clinical trials, it has proven its ability
to treat heart failure and minor arrhythmias.
Typical dosage: up
to 750 milligrams per day of extract standardised to 1.8 per cent
vitexin2'-rhamnoside or 10 per cent procyanidins; or up to nine nonstandardised 500- or
600-milligram capsules per day; or 10 to 30 drops of tincture up to three times
per day; or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1 teaspoon of dried berries in 1/4
litre of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes).
Caution: hawthorn
increases the effects of some heart medications; if you are taking any, consult
your doctor before adding hawthorn to your regimen.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
This medicinal mushroom has long been used in China as a general heart tonic,
as well as for a host of other conditions. If your arrhythmias are caused
by stress, reishi is a good choice to add to your routine because it acts
on the many body systems that can be affected by stress.
Typical dosage: up
to five 420-milligram capsules per day; or up to three 1,000-milligram tablets
up to three times per day.
ALL STRESSED UP AND NOWHERE TO VENT
During times of stress,
your adrenaline starts pumping and directly affects your heartbeat. Relaxation
therapies such as meditation, biofeedback, massage and gentle exercises can
help control conditions such as
arrhythmia. Your doctor or other health-care professional may be able to
refer you to relaxation classes. Community recreation centres are also a
good place to seek such classes.
