Atrial Fibrillation Health Center
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Signs include dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. Treatment involves medication and lifestyle changes, and sometimes procedures such as cardioversion, ablation, pacemakers, or surgery.
Atrial Fibrillation Health Center
“A completely vegan diet, free from free fats, free sugars, spices, and vinegar, represent the most favorable diet for atrial fibrillation.”
Herbal Remedies
Hawthorn berry increases coronary blood flow, decreases arterial blood pressure, increases blood flow to the skin and intermediate areas, decreases heart rate, and improves the force of the contraction of the heart muscle. It can be taken continuously for years as it is extremely well tolerated by humans, being in the apple family.
Hawthorn slows and strengthens the heartbeat. In a German study done in 1953 there was an 83% increase in coronary blood flow resulting from the use of hawthorn extract (Ref. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 63:1974). Two of the very best remedies for atrial fibrillation are hawthorn berry and bilberry. They promote heart health and long life by supporting the circulatory system. Bilberry is the European equivalent of the American blueberry. Extracts are flavonoids and anthocyanosides. These strengthen capillaries and improve blood flow since they maintain the strength and flexibility of capillary walls. Bilberry can be used to treat varicose veins and spider veins. Bilberry has been shown to increase the flow of blood to the heart and other organs, as well as to the legs. It also helps to prevent blood clotting inside the veins, thus reducing the risk of stroke. This herb also increases heartbeat strength. There are no side effects or toxicity from the use of bilberry extract or tea. It can be obtained from a health food store (Ref. Phytotherapy, 1989, Vol. 60
Curcumin , a major component of the food herb turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a strong effect of reducing platelet stickiness and preventing blood clots from forming inside the heart or veins. Curcumin also changes the metabolism of platelets so that the platelets are more resistant to the adverse effects of various stress, diet, or lifestyle factors. Curcumin also has very good anti-inflammatory properties. In some people an effective dose can irritate the bowel. Take one teaspoon of the powdered turmeric stirred in three or four ounces of water with meals. Get the powder from a grocery store having a frequent turnover of turmeric in order to get the freshest herb.
Grapes and grape seed. The phytochemicals in grapes and grape seed (chewed in fresh grapes, but also the commercial extracts) are believed by some doctors to be of help in AF.
Oil of cloves has been used as a kitchen spice and a toothache medicine for generations. The eugenol in the spice can irritate the stomach of some, but this component has a good effect of stopping the clumping together of blood platelets. A high protein diet decreases its effectiveness since proteins bind up eugenol. Oil of cloves—one to five drops—was found to be more effective than aspirin in preventing clotting. Stress encourages clotting, but oil of cloves (Eugenia aromaticum L.) will abolish this effect of stress.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), barberry root (Berberis vulgaris), and Oregon grape root (Berberis aquifolium) all contain berberine. Administration of these herbs may prevent or treat ventricular arrhythmias. Berberine can protect the heart muscle from ischemia. If low oxygen in the heart muscle from coronary artery disease is a part of your problem with AF, you should take a good source of berberine.
Lily of the valley, or Convallaria majalis, was formerly said to be toxic in large doses; but it can be helpful in non-toxic doses for atrial fibrillation. Lily of the valley has had a change in its reputation in recent years from less favorable to more favorable. The active principle is a digitaloid and a diuretic principle. It has a sedative effect on the heart. The digitaloids are a family of naturally occurring chemicals having strong heart actions. Either fast heart rate or slow heart rate can be helped by lily of the valley. This herb does not accumulate in the body as does foxglove (digitalis), and is a valuable alternative to digitalis. Lily of the valley contains eight different isoflavones which are nutrients for the heart muscle. Use one or two heaping tablespoons of the herb in a quart of water. Steep for 20 to 30 minutes. You can put as many as seven herbs in the same quart of water for steeping, and still get out of the teas all their active principles in about 30 to 45 minutes. The more herbs you add, the longer they should steep, but not longer than 60 minutes.
Foxglove, Digitalis purpura (toxic in large doses) can slow the heart rate and help with irregular heart action. Signs of toxicity are loss of appetite followed by nausea, and then vomiting. Bugleweed, Lycopus virginicus, is helpful in irregular heartbeat and strengthens the tone of the atrium, thus reducing pooling of blood. Strophanthus hispidus has been used in Africa to help a rapid heart. Cayenne, red pepper, one quarter teaspoon per day has been used to strengthen the heart.
Black currant seed is very good in the prevention of heart rhythm disturbances in aging laboratory animals such as rats. It may be worth a try in those with chronic AF, and certainly should be taken by those who have paroxysmal AF or any other rhythm disturbance, to prevent its becoming chronic AF (Ref. Nutrition Research 14(7):1089, 1994).
To inhibit the formation of clots inside the atrium, ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) has been used as it inhibits platelet activating factor, and therefore decreases platelet aggregation. Use 40 mg. three times a day (Ref. European Journal of Pharmacology 164:293; 1989).
Along with bugleweed as a heart tonic, cactus is sometimes recommended. These may increase the tone of the atrial muscle, thus reducing dilation of the atrium, a condition which encourages clots to form inside the chamber. Some homeopathic remedies are said to have been used with good success.
ucheepines.org: Atrial Fibrillation
The Chinese herb extract Wenxin Keli: A promising agent for the management of atrial fibrillation
Wenxin Keli (WXKL) is a traditional Chinese herb extract with anti-arrhythmic effects, which is composed of five components: Nardostachys chinensis Batal extract (NcBe), Codonopsis, Notoginseng, amber, and Rhizoma Polygonati.
The Chinese herb extract Wenxin Keli
FDA Warning on Atrial Fibrillation Drug Multaq
July 22, 2011 — If you’re taking the atrial fibrillation drug Multaq, the FDA wants you to call your doctor right away.
Don’t stop taking the drug — that could be dangerous. But the FDA wants patients to be aware that a clinical trial of Multaq, called PALLAS, was halted when the drug doubled the risk of death, stroke, and heart failure hospitalization in heart patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.
FDA Warning on Atrial Fibrillation Drug Multaq
1. Drink a glass of water.
2. Eat a banana or drink low-sodium V8.
3. Eat some pumpkin seeds.
4. Dunk your head in cold water.
5. Lie down or exercise.
6. Try belly breathing.
7. Listen to a normal heart.
8. Try the Valslva Manoeuver
8 Ways to Prevent an Afib Episode
Reduce Stress
Stay Hydrated
Get Your Blood Pressure in a Healthy Range
Get Quality Sleep
Control Your Weight
Limit Alcohol Intake
Consider Caffeine Consumption
Reduce your risk of stroke. Most people need a type of blood-thinner medication (such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban or dabigatran) to reduce the risk of clotting. With warfarin, frequent blood checks are needed to monitor effectiveness and dose, but this is not required for the newer blood thinners, says Calkins. Medication decisions are based on assessment of your stroke risk. Most patients with AF who are over age 65 require a blood thinner, Calkins says.
Stopping Blood Thinners Raises Stroke Risk for Patients With Irregular Heartbeat
– When patients with atrial fibrillation stop taking anti-clotting drugs, their stroke risk goes up quickly, new research finds.
Alternatives for Atrial Fibrillation?
‘……..newly published research suggests that more than half of all cases of atrial fibrillation could be prevented by addressing common heart disease risk factors such as smoking, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure……..’
Fish Oil/polyunsaturated fatty acids: Data suggest that fish oil can change the characteristics of the upper chamber of the heart. People who consume fish regularly, typically a cold-water fish species, have lower rates of atrial fibrillation and abnormal heart rhythms from the bottom heart chamber. High consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids can produce favorable changes in our body’s cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Of all potential natural approaches, this seemed to be the best substance to consider.
Dr. Julian Whitaker:
Many low-risk patients do well on natural blood thinners such as omega-3s, vitamin E, garlic, and ginger, and other supplements, including magnesium, antioxidants, folic acid, and vitamin D, engender multiple aspects of cardiovascular health.
https://www.drwhitaker.com/natural-treatment-for-atrial-fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation is divided into 4 types:
The first type, paroxysmal AF, persists for less than 7 days, and the heart converts on its own to normal sinus rhythm.
The second type, persistent AF, lasts 7 days or longer, and cardioversion effectively restores normal sinus rhythm
In the third type, permanent AF, the heart does not respond to cardioversion.
The fourth type, lone AF, lacks an underlying structural or cardiac cause or pathologic condition.