Arrhythmias

The heart, the body's workhorse, beats more than 100,000 times a day, pumping life-giving blood through thousands of kilometers of arteries, capillaries and veins. Irregular heart rhythms - or arrhythmias - can disrupt this process and require careful medical evaluation.

What it is  Arrhythmias are abnormal rhythms of the heart. They may be as fleeting as a single missed beat, or they may be more serious, causing the heart to beat irregularly or unusually fast or slowly for extended periods.

What causes it  For many people with arrhythmias, the cause is unclear. However, some cases can be traced to a heart condition, such as coronary artery disease, a heart valve defect or, in rare cases, an infection of the heart. Thyroid or kidney disease, certain drugs, and imbalances of magnesium or potassium in the body can contribute to arrhythmias. Abnormal rhythms may also be induced by a high intake of caffeine or alcohol, heavy smoking and stress.


SYMPTOMS

• Heart palpitations or pounding heartbeats.
• Fluttering in the chest or neck.
• Fatigue, light-headedness.
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting spells.
• Often there are no symptoms; your doctor my find an arrhythmias during a routine exam.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR

• If you notice frequent irregularities in your heartbeat or sudden become light-headed, dizzy or weak.
• If someone suddenly loses consciousness or has severe chest pain or shortness of breath - call an ambulance right away.
• Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Supplement recommendations
SUPPLEMENT	DOSAGE	COMMENTS
Magnesium	400 mg twice a day.	Be careful taking magnesium if you have a kidney disease.
Hawthorn	100-150 mg 3 times a day.	Standardized to contain at least 1-3% flavonoids.
Coenzyme Q10	50 mg twice a day with food.	Capsules may be more effective then tablets.
Fish Oils	1000 mg 3 times a day with food.	Take only if you don't eat fish at least 3 times a week.
Cactus grandiflorus	25 drops tincture 3 times a day.	Known as night-blooming careus; may cause diarrhoea.
Manganese	20 mg every morning.	Often included in multi-vitamin and mineral formulas.
Amino acids	1500 mg L-taurine twice a day; 500 mg L-carnitine 3 times a day.	For long-term use, try a mixed amino acid complex.
Astragalus	400 mg twice a day or 3 cups of tea a day.	Supplying 0.5% glucosides and 70% polysaccharides.

How supplements can help  It's important to remember that some arrhythmias can be serious. The supplements listed in the chart are meant to complement - not to replace - standard treatments. Never discontinue a heart drug without consulting your doctor first. All the supplements listed can be used together, but your doctor should determine which ones you should take and in what order. They may work within a week, but often need to be used long term.

Magnesium supplements often benefit people with heart-rhythm disorders, many of whom are deficient in this mineral. Magnesium is vital for coordinating the activity of nerves (including those that initiate heartbeats) and muscles (including the heart). Also valuable is hawthorn, a herb that has been used as a heart tonic for centuries. It increases the blood flow to the heart, making it beat more strongly and restoring a healthy rhythm. Coenzyme Q10 also helps to steady heart rhythm, and may be a particularly useful supplement for people who have previously suffered a heart attack or have another form of heart disease. In addition, fish oils are being extensively studied for treating heart ailments; early results strongly suggest that they can be effective at relieving arrhythmias.

Other herbs and minerals may stabilize heart rhythm as well. Some practitioners recommend the herb cactus grandiflorus; it is often with hawthorn. The trace mineral manganese, which promotes healthy nerves, and the amino acids taurine and carnitine increases oxygen supply to the heart. Taken in the form of an infusion, a pill or a tincture (30 drops three times a day), the herb astragalus has been found to contain various substances that stabilize heart rhythm. Doctors also occasional prescribe potassium supplements to prevent arrhythmias, though for most people, eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a better way to get adequate supplies of this mineral.


What else you can do

• Reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol.
• If you smoke, quit. No supplement can compensate for the long-term cardiac damage caused by smoking.
• Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart.
• Reduce stress. Relaxation techniques such as biofeedback may help.

Source - The Healing Power of Vitamins Minerals and Herbs (Readers Digest)