Atrial Fibrillation: A Guide To Living With It

Does Omega-3 Help Reduce Instances of A-F?

2010-12-03T17:45:00.000-05:00

In a study, Nov 30, 2010, Dept. of Molecular Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA, reported that comparative post-operative results for dogs fed Omega-3 for 3 weeks prior to heart surgery fared much better in a number of instances compared to dogs that did not receive Omega-3 supplementation. Among the positive results achieved: Dogs fed the Omega-3 had reduced atrial inflammation.

Though people are not the same as dogs, and, though I can't give you any advice on this, since I am not a doctor nor a researcher, this study impressed me enough to make me want to add to my daily lifestyle the taking of Omega-3 supplements...just in case that supplementation might be helpful to people who suffered an incidence of A-F.

Supplements of L-Arginine and Taurine May Show promise.

2010-08-11T22:10:00.000-04:00

I was particularly interested in a study, that highlights some positive experiences around two supplements, Taurine and L-Arginine. PERHAPS there will be more research and many more studies done to validate the results of what follows.

The study that I am refering to appeared in 2006 and is accessible in abstract on the Pub Med site. It is titled: "Elimination of cardiac arrhythmias using oral taurine with l-arginine with case histories: Hypothesis for nitric oxide stabilization of the sinus node." (Ref.: Pub Med carried this abstract by Eby G, Halcomb WW. George Eby Research, 14909-C Fitzhugh Road, Austin, TX 78736, USA.) "Abstract: [Some] nutrient deficiencies [may] cause cardiac arrhythmias...atrial fibrillation...Case histories of people with very frequent arrhythmias are presented showing taurine ...[and] l-arginine maintained cardiac rhythm with continued treatment... "

ANIMAL Fats, Animal PROTEIN and Atrial Fibrillation??

2009-07-19T07:48:00.003-04:00

Over 400 people who enrolled in an online registry reported health problems from eating high-protein, high-fat diets... What astounded me was the very high percentage of people reporting various forms of cardiovascular disease. In the list of the various forms of cardiovascular diseases was our enemy: ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.

It may make sense to reduce your dietary exposure to animal products and animal by-products, including dairy, fish, and chicken.

You MUST Exercise

2009-07-17T07:16:00.003-04:00

Not only is exercise IMPORTANT for a great body image, but also for your internal health as well. BUT...be sure to check with your doctor before starting any kind of exercise program, especially if you plan to do a program with intensity.

If you have Atrial Fibrillation and can pinch a few inches of belly fat, then you are heading for big trouble!! People without Atrial Fibrillation and who have belly fat are "normally" at risk and are likely heading for diabetes. People with A-F and belly fat, likewise, are heading for diabetes. But in the case of A-Fibbers, exercise can likely help lower blood pressure and insulin spikes as well.

By reducing your body fat through exercise you are strengthening your heart and simultaneously reducing strain on two levels, on your heart and on your body joints. You will find movement throughout the day to become easier and require less effort, and therefore, less strain on your heart throughtout the whole day.

Most important point of all: Atrial Fibrillation is indeed a form of heart disease. Like other heart disease treatments, exercise can be valuable therapy for A-Fers, if carefully done and carefully managed in conjunction with your doctor. Oh...and yes, you will have to do more than just walking. You need to work with your doctor to gradually speed up your exercise movements and to increase the intensity of the exercise to burn body fat better and quicker. You need to perspire. But, because you already have heart disease, be careful as you learn to pick up the pace.

Wishing you improving health.

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2009-07-14T21:34:00.001-04:00

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How To Lose Weight While on Meds for A-F

2009-06-17T06:46:00.004-04:00

Conclusion: your meds may be making your fatter !! Believe it. If you are taking Ratio Atenolol, then READ ON.

After reading through an extensive number of cardiologist reports and studies of meds for treating Atrial Fibrillation, the PUBLISHED conclusions could not be ignored. I decided to act on what I learned. I made an appointment with my doctor and reviewed the studies with him. He completely agreed. He immediately changed my meds from Ratio Atenolol to Ratio Bisprolol. Wow. What a difference a prescription can make!!

The Bisprolol, actually it is Bisprolol Fumerate, is working so-o-o-o-o much better !!!!

It is also working better for other symptoms that I thought I was stuck with...heart flutters and the occasional racing pulse that was getting passed the Atenolol, weight control, and sex drive...yup, I said "sex drive".

I changed my meds because I wanted to lose weight, lose fat in particular, since fat affects the functioning of the heart muscle. With the new med, Bisprolol, I am steadily losing weight without struggling.

Why I changed the meds.: In my case, while on Ratio-Atenolol for about 6 months, I was steadily gaining weight and ballooned up to a big fat, hefty, 205 pounds while on a strict vegan diet. This was next to impossible!!! Yet it was happening right before my eyes. We become what we eat. Right? Eat celery, then I should be skinny as a stalk of celery. Eat lettuce, I should be as fat as a leaf of lettuce. Something was definitely wrong. It was the meds and for that reason, because this didn't make sense, I did my own research. The conclusion was that my meds were making me fatter, as a side effect.

I have been on Ratio Bisprolol for approximately 2.5 weeks now, changed nothing else in my diet or my exercise program. Today I weigh in at 194. That's 10 pounds lost with no extra effort.

Not only that, but, get this: all of my other symptoms completely vanished, too!!

I used to get so cold in the evenings that I'd put on 4 or 5 layers of clothing just to stay warm inside our home where the inside temperature was set to at least 21 degrees C (72 F.). Now: Cold feelings and chills....GONE! I used to come home from work feeling so tired that I'd just want to flop down in bed, but when I did, my sleep would be restless and I'd awake feeling exhausted. GONE !! Now I can sleep well when I go to bed. And when I get home from work, I have enough energy to do a few things around the house. Now let's talk about one more side effect that I didn't know that I was experiencing because of the meds...ERECTIONS.

While on Ratio Atenolol, my sex drive went from, what I think was "normal" for my age, to zero. Mind you, I'd get an erection when the opportunity for making love presented itself. But, my libido, that is, my interest in seeking the opportunity, was just about bottomed out...there was almost no interest. I was ready to accept that it was just my age, 58, and that it was par for the course. No so. After a few days on my new med, the Bisprolol, I was back to my old self, again. My libido was NOT dead. Long live libido !!

So.... Let me repeat the objective of this post. If you are gaining weight or trying hard to lose weight while taking your A-Fib meds, then get an appointment with your doctor and have a chat about the side effects of your meds. What are the known side effects? ASK YOUR DOCTOR!! [If you need some references, articles, see my other posts.] It just might be that your med is one of the ones with known side effects of predisposing you to a pre-diabetic or even a diabetic state--i.e., the med reduces insulin resistance and your pancreas has to work overtime to make more insulin, which in turn, stores more fat and makes you much fatter. The chain reaction is frightening: diabetes, constant tiredness, reduced circulatory system functioning, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), potential for strokes or even heart attacks, and...reduced libido. All of these risks and side effects may be reduced or eliminated merely by changing a prescription.

Good luck to you on the above. Wishing you good health.

Getting Bad-Ass F-A-T-T-E-R Because of Your Meds??

2009-05-27T06:50:00.011-04:00

Great...if it wasn't enough that our heart flutters and we worry about that. Or, as if it weren't enough that we worry that our medication is going to keep our rebellious heart under control each time we feel our heart beat or our pulse rising. Now we even have to worry about how fat we will get when we take that traditional, (the older), atrial-fibrillation medication(s)!

I thought it was just me. Or, something I was doing incorrectly now that I am on A-Fib meds. . But it isn't.

My symptoms: Getting fatter. No energy. Fighting myself to get motivated to exercise. Freezing in the evenings though I am in the house while wearing multiple layers of clothing. I suddenly went from a mid-life, healthy, male to feeling like a rocking-chair-bound centenarian. I realized that ever since taking my A-Fib medication I was aging way too quickly!

So...I decided to do my own research on the subject of side-effects of A-Fib medications, known as beta-blockers. Specifically I wanted to know if they were messing around with my insulin sensitivity. What I learned shocked me. ......You WILL WANT TO KNOW THIS.

Some of the traditional beta-blockers that are often prescribed by doctors will indeed mess with your insulin sensitivity. Look at your belt line. If you have a layer of fat hanging around your belly button and belt line, then you'd better read on.

If you are taking taditional beta blockers, like I am, and if you are getting fatter no matter how much you watch what you eat and how much you try to exercise, then it may be your Beta-Blocker causing your problems. And that can quite possibly set you up for many more problems in the near future.

It is well documented that some of the older beta-blockers will reduce your insulin sensitivity. When your insulin sensitivity goes down, your body makes more insulin and your liver and the insulin start packing on body fat. Your cholesterol and your arteries also become impaired. You can become susceptible to strokes and diabetes, in addition to simply getting fatter.

People who are most subject to diabetes often pack the beef right in the mid-section. It's an early warning sign. Diabetes and too much fat, will also lead to "hardening of the arteries", increased potential for stroke, and other complications...in due time.

There is light at the end of this tunnel. One report in Blood Pressure, 1999, pp 261-268, reports that the beta blockers, dilevalol, carvedilol, and celiprolol, did NOT decrease insulin sensitivity. These three just might be the "good"guys for people like me.

I plan to visit my doctor in the near future and insist that he change my meds to one of these.

I am a pure, 100% vegan and am portioning my food. I get sufficient protein through vegan sources. I exercise to my limit of energy--though I have extremely low energy levels, I do manage to get about an hour of cardio at least every second day. I lift weights in the morning almost daily. Yet, I am packing on the pounds as though I sit around wolfing down super-sized steaks, hamburgers and french fries!!

Here's a direct quote from another recent study. "Conventional Beta-blockers decrease insulin sensitivity and increase new-onset diabetes." ("Antihypertensive agents, Insulin Sensitivity, and New-Onset Diabetes", Sarafidis, P.A., McFarlane, S.I., Bakris, G.L.; 2007, Current Diabetes Reports, 7 (3), pp. 191-199.)

And another research reported much the same outcome of that study. If you want to chase down this report, you can look for: "Metabolic safety of antihypertensive drugs: Myths versus reality: Current Hypertension Reports, 2006, 8 (5), pp.403-408.

Finally one of my favorite, lucid studies: "Differential Effect of Chronic Treatment With Two Beta-Blocking Agents on Insulin Sensitivity: The Carvedilol-Metroprolol Study", Journal of Hypertension, 14 (4), 1996, pp. 489-494. Here's the quote that caught my attention: "...Beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents have been found to decrease insulin sensitivity...Carvedilol treatment, however, resulted in slight increase in insulin resistance and a better lipid profile."

Wishing you well and wishing we can all drop a few pounds the normal way.

Old hearts are Fibrotic Hearts.

2009-04-19T16:48:00.002-04:00

A heart infection or a heart attack in the past can also cause fibrosis of the heart (a build over of scare tissue at the site of the repaired injury). Science Daily, April 23, 2008, reported that University of California, San Diego, researchers determined a molecule called Epac (Exchange protein activated by cAMP1), is important in the fibrotic response. By increasing Epac expression, they were able to block the ability of agents to promote fibrosis, that is, inhibit the synthesis of collagen.

ScienceDaily, Sep. 24, 2008, reported that The University of Western Ontario also studied the mechanisms involved in fibrotic diseases, as well as a way to control it. According to the article in ScienceDaily, online, a protein called glycogen synthase kinase 3 acts as a brake to stop further repair to damaged tissue. If this protein is impaired, the repair process continues on and scarring results after wounding. They also discovered elevated levels of another protein called endothelin-1 that, if they blocked it, prevented scarring.

More recently, ScienceDaily, Feb 26, 2009, reports on a research published by Cell Press that platelet derived growth factors (PDGF) are activated by antibodies that attract PDGFR, (PDGF plus receptor alpha), when fibroblasts proliferate and deposit excessive connective tissue, leading to progressive scarring. They discovered that signaling takes place through an Ink4a/Arf-dependent mechanism. They are now looking at ways of blocking PDGFR.

Let's hope they soon come up with a pill that will undo fibrotic tissue.

Cure for Heart Fibrosis??!!

2009-03-11T18:56:00.004-04:00

As you know from reading the other posts, Atrial Fibrillation, in fact many forms of heart disease, are attibuted to the formation of Fibrosis in the heart, which causes the heart to become less flexible, or which erects obstacles in the pathway of electrical impulses causing the electrical impulses to try to jump over or work their way around the fibrotic scarred tissue in the heart.

According to Elisabeth Zeisberg, MD, and, who also served as the lead researcher for a study that was publicized in Science Daily, July 31, 2007, the culprit is fibroblast cells. But where to fibroblast cells come from?

Raghu Kalluri, PhD, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, explained that certain cells in the body which are under stress can convert into fibroblasts to deposit scar material ...impeding electrical conduction of the heart. He indicated that it CAN BE REVERSED using the rhBMP-7 protein. (According to the article in Science Daily, the study was funded by Novartis Corporation.)

Happy fibrosis busting, everyone!!!

SOURCE OF INFO: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2007, July 31). Origins Of Cardiac Fibrosis In Patients With Heart Disease Illuminated. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 11, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/07/070730092604.htm

Rhythm Control or Rate Control?

2009-02-24T18:10:00.004-05:00

Your doctor is going to be your best advisor on which form of therapy is best for you.

You should be aware that there are two general categories of treatments: rate control--through which sinus rhythm of the heart is restored through pharmaceuticals, electro-cardioversion, and blood thinners--and rate control through which the rate of heart beats are controlled through pharmaceuticals like beta-blockers. [Ratio Atenolol is one such example of a beta blocker.] In this latter therapy, the beta blockers manage the adrenaline to prevent the heart from racing.

Lately the pendulum has been swinging towards rate control, such as beta blockers, rather than trying to force the heart into rhythm control.

A-F responds rather unpredictably to pharmaceuticals which are targeted at rhythm control. Over time, patients undergoing rhythm control are significantly more likely to be back to the hospital time and time again. Also, rhythm-control patients are likely to experience a number of additional side effects compared to those patients on rate control.

And, no, you can't just take your meds for a short time. If you have A-F you will be taking meds for a long time.

Most POWERFUL of Superfoods

2009-02-22T18:20:00.005-05:00

Superfoods are those foods that are packed with vitamins and minerals. As mentioned below, getting your anti-oxidants from pills may be bad for some of you. But getting your anti-oxidants from food, is likely good for you. The China Study reinforces the need to eat fresh, non-meat, non-dairy.

Among the most potent superfoods are two that are rarely mentioned in North America. However, they are rapidly gaining attention and are certainly well known among nutrition-conscious people. One is the Goji Berry, also known as the Wolfberry, and the other is acai, pronounced "ah say ee" berries.

While the goji comes in a drink or in berry form, the acai is available in drink or powder form. The goji berry that is available, looks a lot like a dried cranberry--reddish and shrivelled. Both of these berries rate very high on the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). Goji, for example scores higher than 7x that of blueberries; acai, much higher than that.

If you want anti-oxidants, The China Study implies that we ought to take our anti-oxidants from natural foods. Goji and acai are natural foods.

Here's hoping you stay healthy or become healthier.

Natural Anti-Oxidants Are Good

2009-02-22T18:01:00.003-05:00

Anti-oxidants are believed to be good for the heart and the arteries and to help protect both from free radicals those bad things that are caused by any number of factors including stress.

However, there may be a big difference between taking a pill through which you get your anti-oxidants and eating the right foods. It is believed that if supplements are used as a source to jack up your blood levels of anti-oxidants there are some bad things that can happen. Cancer tumours in your body will also absorb anti-oxidants and make themselves stronger and more resistant to attacks from your immune system. That's not good. When I learned about this possibility I ditched most of my daily regimen of vitamin-taking, that is, vitamins that I was taking to boost my immune system.

It should be noted, though, that one of the world's most definitive studies proves, that's right, "proves" that by eating mostly a vegetarian diet--meaning no meats or dairy whatsoever--people have a much lower incidence of everything from diabetes and crohns, to strokes and heart attacks. The China Study examined over 900,000 people over the long term. Nothing beats that. No study is more powerful.

Keep your arteries and heart strong and healthy by eating the right foods...fresh, vegetarian foods.

HCY is The ENEMY!!!

2009-02-22T17:33:00.005-05:00

This site is dedicated to A-Fibrillation, but as I mentioned, I am classifying A-F as a form of heart disease. That opens the doors to researching how to prevent or treat heart disease rather than just A-F.

One of the big causes of heart disease and artery disease is blood levels of homocysteine, (HCY). It is believed that if we can reduce blood levels of homocysteine we should have better chances of reducing the deterioriating effects caused to arteries and the heart by homocysteine.

How do we fight our enemy? Increase your dosage of the following: 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate; methylcobalamin; one or each of, betaine, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, or N-acetyl-cysteine. In layman's terms, that means take supplemental: Folic Acid, (folate); Vitamin B-12; and Vitamin B-6. One study was based on 1,000 mcg. of folate, 400 mcg of B-12, and 10 mg of B6. [Note: these dosages may not be right for you, so consult your doctor, first.]

After 4 months artery elasticity index, (SAEI), was significantly greater in patients receiving the HCY-lowering "pharmaceuticals", (vitamins), mentioned above.

Folic Acid helps to reduce the risk of STROKE while helping to increase or protect bone density. [It is suggested by some other studies that B-12 and B-6 may help to spare the brain from various deteriorating effects. Alcohol decreases blood levels of folate as well as B-12 and is believed to increase blood levels of that bad guy: homocysteine.]

Check with your doctor before taking anything such as this. I did, and my arrhytmia specialists indicatd there should be no contra indications of any concern nor should it interfere with any of my existing meds for A-F. Studies indicate taht homocysteine is believed to be VERY responsive to FOLIC ACID and to a lesser extent to B-12 and B6.

Alcohol, Wine, and Atrial Fibrillation

2009-02-21T08:34:00.003-05:00

Annoymous asked the question: Is red wine good for you?

The science around red wine is still inferential, at best. There are as many researchers and doctors who say that red wine, in fact any alcohol, is "Good" as who say "Bad".

The good things about red, or even white wine, is the content of "anti-oxidents", known as resveratrol. Also, some people find a drink to be "relaxing". Often people have a glass in the company of other people such as friends or relatives. Such socializing is very healthy.

The bad things about alcohol?

For us A-Fibers, we must remember that alcohol screws up the electrical signals of the heart. So, if we already have problems with our electrical signals--and that is what A-F is all about--then we might be smart to stay away from alcohol, period! That certainly is your judgement call. [I drink a glass or two of red wine because I enjoy it and have found no immediate problems when doing so. But be careful.]
Reduces B-12 which affects your ability to relax, ability to remember, and size of your brain.
Reduces folate, a "vitamin" that is essential to keeping bones and immune systems strong and healthy, [folate and supplemental Vitamin-D, helps to head off osteoporosis].
Increases homocysteine which is very tough on arteries and the heart itself.
Destructive to many organs of the body. The theory is: if consumption is less than 1 ounce per hour, your liver should be able to process most of the toxins from the alcohol. If this theory is true, then each time you drink more than approximately 1 ounce per hour, you are overpowering your liver and causing organ damage.

Bottom line? The social benefits to light drinking probably weigh in favor of having the occassional drink, if you don't have alcoholism or any other allergy to wine or alcohol.

Cheers.

Don't Fight the PHYTOs

2009-02-21T07:17:00.003-05:00

More and more evidence is emerging that phytochemicals can make a MAJOR difference to our heart health. Where do you buy phytochemicals? The grocery store.

To help you remember phyto, think of photons. Photons, as you likely know, are particles of light. So, phyto nutrients referr to nutrients that have something to do with light. Phyto-nutrients can be found in food that grows by light. Thus, vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, seeds, and nuts. If it needs light to grow, and is safe to eat, eat it!! It'll help provide your body with the RIGHT KIND of chemicals that it needs to mend itself.

Researchers postulate that current science is not yet able to discover all of the nutrients within natural foods, to be able to say what specific nutrient is SOLELY responsible for the major impact to health that one enjoys from fresh food. What they are learning is that there are hundreds, perhaps, thousands of microscopic amounts, "trace" amounts of nutrients which are yet to be identified that contribute to a synergistic action to help keep the humand body healthy. Take one out and the impact is disproportionate. Because they are so small, they are called micro-nutrients. Take one micro-nutrient away, or focus on and take super-doses of any one micro-nutrient, and the healing effect seems to rapidly diminish or other side effects are introduced.

For example, recently it was learned that taking large doses of vitamins A, C, and E, can actually be damaging to the heart. And, here I was taking extra supplements of those thinking I was doing my body a favor. [Well, that's what science, and in particular, medicine, is all about. As time goes on diagnostics and learnings become better and better.] Yet, eat all the fresh food you want and you can get healthier and you;ll almost hear your heart say, "thank you".

I recently read a study for "High Salt Grape Powder" (HSG). I don't know what that is, yet, but I will be looking for it and will continue to keep my eyes open for future studies involving that. This study indicated it had a huge positive impact on just about everything: lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, reducing fibrotic tissue, ... It was the "reduction of fibrotic tissue" that caught my eye. Remember, that is my personal mission: "To reduce cardiac fibrosis". So more and more evidence is mounting pointing to the need to eat fresh food--not meats and dairy but fresh food like vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds,

If you try to fight the phytos, you will likely lose the fight.

Homocysteine and Fibrosis?

2009-02-20T20:57:00.003-05:00

Hyperhomocysteinemia through various mechanisms promtoes myocardial fibrosis.

Is it possible to reverse myocardial fibrosis? There is insufficient evidence to make any decisive commitment in this regard. However, since the "therapy" is almost harmless, why not try it? As usual, be sure you check with your doctor before you change your diet and especially before you try any vitamin regime.

In my case I will be continuing to experiment with a food-based diet that provides natural anti-oxidants which is what is supposed to help against the oxident stress component of one of the above mechanisms. What kind of food-based diet? Lots and lots of vegetables, beans legumes, fruits, and some nuts and seeds. I love black olives but will stay away from those, now, since I learned they are very high in fat and ANY kind of fat is bad for the heart.

I will also post some information on latest research around controlling homocysteine with a vitamin supplement regimen. Stay tuned for that.

May you control your homocysteine and dodge the bullet of fibrosis.

Long-Term Stress Damage

2009-02-17T14:11:00.004-05:00

Long-term stress comes in many forms: a stressful situation; excessive anything such as too little sleep, too much drinking, too much exercise, too little exercise, working too hard or too long; etc.; allergic reactions to food or chemicals; pollution, smoke, or improper respiratory protection against airborne particles; chemical additives; sugar substitutes; and on and on. Here is an explanation of the mechanisms through which long-term stress can damage the heart:

Prolonged release of adrenaline. Prolonged release of adrenaline elevates your heart rate and increases muscle tension. Constant muscle tension can lead to muscle scarring, also called fibrosis. Scar tissue in the heart can interfere with your electrical impulses in your heart. (If you are on Beta-Blockers to control the rate of your heart, you will identify with this mechanism. Beta-Blockers control the amount of adrenaline and control the rate of heart beats.)
Decreased blood flow. This can lead to ischemia. (Be sure to be tested for ischemia.)
Increased manufacture of aldosterone. Aldosterone can constrict arteries, interfere with the proper balance of minerals such as sodium or calcium, and raise blood pressure.
Depletion of key minerals. Magnesium, potassium, and iodine may become depleted. All of these or any one of these, when insufficient or depleted can contribute to heart irregularities. Low iodine can lead to hypothyroidism-- a low functioning thyroid.

May you unwind and relax.

To Ablate or Not?

2009-02-17T13:28:00.003-05:00

Some doctors will recommend surgery to help stop Atrial-Fibrillation. Atrial-Fib, as was explained to me, happens when a number of electrical impulses that were firing in a sequence in the heart encounters a barrier that causes it to begin firing out of sequence. Ablation is intened to kill, (he said, to "quiet"), some of those nerves. It is considered that creating circles of scar tissues in the heart around four veins where the abnormal electrical implulses originate. As with any other surgery, this ablation procedure ought to be recommended as a last resort. After one ablation, there MAY be a need for another ablation procedure.

Discuss the matter thoroughly with your specialist. Be sure you know the downside as well as the upside. There are no guarantees but you want some kind of reassurance with a high probability outcome.

May you be healthier tomorrow than you are today.

MEAT = SUGAR = Insulin Spikes

2009-02-17T12:39:00.006-05:00

Us A-Fibbers need to keep our bodies as healthy and as normalized as possible. Something we often take for granted is our pancreas and its ability to keep insulin levels normalized. A-Fibbers need to help the pancreas to stay healthy.

Well, here's something that was a surprise for me. I was listening to a recent discussion between two researchers and was startled to hear that beef was as damaging to the pancreas as sugar. You would be nuts to chow down on a 1/4 pound of SUGAR. Yet, many people think nothing of chowing down on a 1/4 pounder or 1/4 pound of any meat. The pancreas sees almost no difference between meats or sugar.

So, to help keep your pancreas healthy, and to help manage your insulin levels, you may want to consider staying away from, or at least minimizing, eating meat.

May your pancreas continue to love you.

Exercise To Fix Your Heart.

2009-02-15T16:44:00.003-05:00

The leading heart doctors all recommend a supervised program of exercise if you have had a heart attack. Would it be a leap of faith to make the extension that those of us with Atrial-Fibrillation should also exercise?

In my case I asked my doctors and FOR ME they said it was okay to exercise. But they cautioned to use common sense and to work up to a higher level of fitness but to do so gradually while using common sense. I guess that means that I won't be running the marathon tomorrow morning. [I have NEVER run a marathon and I don't plan to do so...ever!] So exercising was okay. But would it be of any benefit to reducing or eliminating my atrial-fibrillation? I could find no definitive studies indicating that exercise would help reduce or eliminate the incidence or symptoms of Atrial-Fibrilation.

So, I am going to make a leap of faith on this one. If damaged hearts can be healed with exercise while watching one's foods, it stands to reason, at least by my reasoning, that since atrial-fibrillation is a form of heart disease then exercise and smarter eating, should help reduce or eliminate my symptoms of atrial-fibrillation. At least I have convinced myself of this and have begun to take action which I view as positive action. To plan to work at becoming more physically fit.

Doctors MacDougall, Ornish, and Mirkin all cite many studies that prove that a damaged heart can rejeuvenate itself if you take the time and the effort to walk about 30 minutes a day and if you restrict all forms of fats, --poly-, mono-, hydrogenated-, and saturated fats. Saturated fats is directly and purely an indictment against ANY meats, fish, or dairy products...and yes, that includes chicken!! I've returned to being a vegan, once again, and can report that I am experiencing far fewer symptoms, including almost no symptoms of heart flutter.

May you break a sweat, but gently so.

Will ARGININE Reduce Fibrosis?

2009-02-15T16:31:00.002-05:00

First of all, what is fibrosis? It's a build up of fibrotic tissue, (scar tissue from either the artery or the heart trying to repair damage). So after doing some research on this I put the question to two arrhythmia specialists. They admitted that they did not know if it could reverse fibrotic tissue in the heart and they claimed that the studies to date were inferential and not conclusive.

So let that be your caution.

I was particularly fascinated by one study that claimed arginine might be effective at dissolving scarring on heart valves. A number of studies use a dosage in the range of 500 to 1,000 mg. taken 3 times a day with meals. CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR before trying this experiment on yourself, if you learn from your echo-cardiogram that you have some fibrotic buildup in your heart.

By the way. If you feel a cold coming on, make yourself some home-made chicken soup...using real chicken and not those boullion cubes or store-bought chicken broth. Chicken is presumed to be relatively high in L-Arginine. It is theorized that since L-Arginine is an immune system booster.

Keep healthy.

Lower Your Blood Pressure.

2009-02-15T15:55:00.004-05:00

What's a normal blood pressure? Some say 120 sistolic, (when your heart contracts) and 80 diastolic, (when your heart relaxes). Others say 120/70. I don't think that much matters so long as you stay in that range and your doctor is happy with your numbers.

There are a number of ways that you can lower your blood pressure. One of them is to take in more magnesium, (Mg), and potassium, (K) by eating fresh foods and NOT BY TAKING A PILL. Let me repeat that: not by pill. Taking a pill to get extra Mg and K can be very dangerous. Plan to take in more Mg and K by eating fresh, non-animal sources of foods.

Because your minerals have to stay in balance with each other, you can cause terrible imbalances of other minerals by popping a pill for your extra Mg and K. So, no pills for Mg and K, unless, of course, your doctor prescribes that for some particular reasons. My comments here refer to the easy-to-get, over-the-counter, Mg and K that you might be tempted to buy at a health food store or at a drug store. One serious problem you can cause to yourself is ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION by taking non-doctor sanctioned pill for either Mg or K or both.

However, since magnesium and potassium are proven to help lower blood pressure by improving the "elasticity" of arteries, you should make it a priority for yourself to consume more of the natural sources for magnesium and potassium, such as: fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans.

In addition to food sources of Mg and K, (remember, don't take MG or K by pill form!), you can benefit greatly by losing weight. There is a VERY HIGH success rate of lowering blood pressure by those who lost weight.

Next most beneficial is to exercise. Yes, including a common-sense approach to weight lifting. Don't over do it. And certainly don't do any exercise until your doctor gives you the okay to do so. Any exercise is going to be of great benefit to you. Especially walking for 30 minutes each day. Walking is considered the safest and least damaging to joints.

Finally, the tip you have heard time and time again: reduce your intake of table salt. And do so particularly if you have a known table salt sensitivity.

May you hit 120 in more ways than one.

Omega-3 Helps; Avoid Omega-6.

2009-02-15T15:02:00.006-05:00

Omega is in the news these days. Especially Omega-3. But we don't hear enough about the ill effects from Omega-6. So let's start this discussion with the bad stuff, Omega-6.

All kinds of diseases, from heart attacks to Crohns, to some forms of diabetes, to arthritis, and on and on, are associated to Omega-6. In North America, largely because we eat so much packaged and prepared foods, we take in way too much Omega-6. So, if you are reading this blog, you are likely suffering from A-F., a form of heart disease. You still have time to drop the Omega-6 from your eating plans...or maybe, you weren't giving that much attention? Go natural. No more prepared or pre-packaged foods.

There have been many articles and, now, even advertising is tossing around the benefits of Omega-3. But taking supplemental Omega-3 is not as straightforward as you may think. Those Omega-3 capsules made from fish oils can turn rancid very quickly. In that case you are injesting a rancid oil. Oils are fats. Fats are bad for the heart. So be careful on your selection of Omega-3 format when you take supplements. This oil needs to have vitamin-E to help slow down the oxidation when ingested. Plants are a great source for the right kind of Omega-3. Your excellent sources include: leafy vegetables, flaxseed, whole grains, beans, and nuts. But, if you have heart disease, be careful to moderate the amount of seeds and nuts you eat since they contain fairly significant amounts of fats, and all fats are bad for the heart, even the "good" fats. Don't avoid seeds and nuts, just be smart about how much you eat.

One more point about Omega-3 oils. Keep 'em cool. NEVER heat them. Always keep the Omega-3 refridgerated. So, certainly never cook with Omega-3. If you do cook with Omega-3, you simply accelerate the oxidation process which means that the heated oil turns rancid before it gets into your body.

May you keep your Omega-3 cool.

Some Vitamins CAUSE Heart Attacks

2009-02-15T14:52:00.002-05:00

Dr. Mirkin reports on a study, that appeared in the New England Journal Of Medicine, conducted by researchers at University of Washington. The portion of the findings that surprised me the most was the negative effect that was recorded for those who were taking certain vitamins. Are you ready for this?

Those taking double the RDA of E, ten times the RDA of C, four times the RDA of A, and twice the RDA of selenium had increased risk of heart attacks and cancers.

In my case, I used to take significantly largers doses of each of those vitamins. So, I am wondering if I somehow brought on my Atrial Fibrillation by causing some scarring, (fibrosis), to heart or if my fibrosis was all from stress. I suspect it was mostly stress and possibly somewhat affected by my vitamin regime.

May you flutter less and pump more.

Electrical Conductors Gone Awry.

2009-02-13T16:42:00.004-05:00

Atrial Fibrilation is the name applied to a condition that causes the heart to speed up and pump wildly fast. It is theorized that electrical impulses fire out of order and, in turn, messes up the rhythm of the heart. It is also theorized that FIBROTIC tissue is what interferes with those electrical signals. The heart tries to compensate for the barrier and in trying to send the electrical signals through or over the fibrotic tissue the signals inadvertently go astray. This confuses the upper chambers of the heart while the lower chambers continue on at a normal rhythm as though non-plused.

There are two categories of treatments to return the heart to normal, or near-normal. One category of treatment involves trying to force the heart back into a normal sinus rhythm. The other is a treatment that prevents the heart from going above a certain threshold of beats per minute.

The first is called RHYTHM control and is accomplished with meds, or with electrocardioversion (electric paddles), or a combination of both.

The latter is called RATE control and is accomplished by meds, often with Beta Blockers and a blood thinner that can range from a mild blood thinner like baby aspirin or a harsh blood thinner, like WARFARIN, requiring weekly blood tests to ensure it doesn't get out of control.

May your heart beat normally, and beat forever!!

Doctors Won't Call It Heart Disease.

2009-02-13T16:31:00.004-05:00

There isn't anything special that separates Atrial Fibrilation from heart disease, except the attitude of doctors. A-F is heart disease. Granted, a mysterious and strange form of heart disease, but heart disease nonetheless. So...be smart. Treat your atrial fib just as if you had heart disease. I strongly encourage you to read the following books, that you might have to buy used, but buy them anyways... READ THEM !!

The Mcdougall Program: 12 Days to Dynamic Health by John A. McDougall and Mary McDougall

or

The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart by John A. MCdougall, M.D.

AND, that's right I am saying to also read this book:
Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease by Dr Dean Ornish

You don't have any time to waste. Do it now.

Happy heart!

What Causes Atrial Fibrilation?

2009-02-13T15:25:00.005-05:00

This is a complete list of suspected causes of A.F. --as complete a list as I am able to uncover from my research:

Too much alcohol. People in their 20's can have the temporary heart problem of Atrial Fibrilation from binging on alochol during such tempting party time as school breaks or all-inclusive vacation spots. Also, heavy drinking over a long time can be a known cause.
Being over weight.
Living with high stressful conditions for a long period of time. (This was my problem, but I thought I was doing a great job of diffusing or handling stress. Obviously, I didn't do a good enough job of managing my stress.)
High blood pressure...even moderately high blood pressure.
Problems with the heart.
Hyperthyroidism--(your thyroid is in high gear, so to speak).
Hypothryroidism--(your thyroid is a bit slow, so to say). This is a more recent finding and all the studies are not yet conclusive. Think of this possible cause as still inferential rather than statistically quantied as a cause, but don't let your doctor neglect testing for hypothyroidism as well as testing for hyper thyroidism.
Chest trauma--kick, punch, fall that causes a major shock to the chest area.
Stimulants: marijauna, caffeine, cocaine, others.
Pneumonia or other diseases or illnesses.
Prescription medicines for osteoporosis.
Steroid use can cause Atrial Fib. Think of corticosteroids or prednisone.
Lack of sleep or lack of a deep sleep.
No known cause. I doubt that. If you have ruled out all of the above then you likely have Atrial Fibrilation as a result of a lifetime of stress. So refer to number 3 and be truthful to yourself.

Welcome to the "Paddle Group"

2009-02-13T15:05:00.003-05:00

You and I may have something in common. We've been zapped.

If your story is like mine, you felt good one day and suddenly found yourself in the hospital the next day. In addition to confusion and fear racing through you mind; your heart was racing. Doctors were pumping meds into your veins. Your heart monitor was beeping wildly, racing one moment and nearing normal beats the next. Doctors were shaking their heads as one solution after the other failed to restore a normal heart rhythm. After about 4 hours of frustration, the doctors wisked you into a special room where they prepared you for the P-A-D-D-L-E-S. They administered meds and knocked you out. Zap! They administered a different med and woke you up. In my case, when I came to, the doctors said, "Okay. Go home."

I was puzzled and asked, "What shall I expect? What do I do? What DID I do that got me here? What do I need to avoid?"

The presiding doctor said, "Don't worry about it...It may never happen again. We don't know what the real cause is of Atrial Fibrilation. Just keep doing what you were doing and you likely won't ever need to come back...or maybe you will. We just don't know."

I was back again about 4 months later.

Atrial Fibrillation: A Guide To Living With It

Does Omega-3 Help Reduce Instances of A-F?

Supplements of L-Arginine and Taurine May Show promise.

ANIMAL Fats, Animal PROTEIN and Atrial Fibrillation??

You MUST Exercise

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How To Lose Weight While on Meds for A-F

Getting Bad-Ass __F-A-T-T-E-R__ Because of Your Meds??

Old hearts are Fibrotic Hearts.

Cure for Heart Fibrosis??!!

Rhythm Control or Rate Control?

Most POWERFUL of Superfoods

Natural Anti-Oxidants Are Good

HCY is The ENEMY!!!

Alcohol, Wine, and Atrial Fibrillation

Don't Fight the PHYTOs

Homocysteine and Fibrosis?

Long-Term Stress Damage

To Ablate or Not?

MEAT = SUGAR = Insulin Spikes

Exercise To Fix Your Heart.

Will ARGININE Reduce Fibrosis?

Lower Your Blood Pressure.

Omega-3 Helps; Avoid Omega-6.

Some Vitamins CAUSE Heart Attacks

Electrical Conductors Gone Awry.

Doctors Won't Call It Heart Disease.

What Causes Atrial Fibrilation?

Welcome to the "Paddle Group"

Getting Bad-Ass F-A-T-T-E-R Because of Your Meds??