Definition
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Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms. Normal rhythm is initiated by the sino-atrial (SA) node, the cluster of
pacemaker cells located at the junction of the superior vena cava and the right atrium. These cells are the
primary generator of electrical action potentials that trigger heart muscle contraction. They set the pace for all
other heart tissue. Cardiac arrhythmias often arise when, for various pathological reasons, heart tissues other
than the SA node assumes the role of pacemaker (Beers M and Berkow R, eds., The Merck Manual of Diagnosis
and Therapy, 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999, pp1710-40). Arrhythmias
are a fairly common problem. They can range in severity from almost totally insignificant to very serious. The
most serious arrhythmias are related to arrhythmias associated with the left ventricle of the heart, which is the
main pumping station for the body.
Signs and Symptoms
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- Heart palpitations
- Hemodynamic disturbances are potentially life-threatening
Bradycardia
Tachycardia
- Dizziness
- Syncope (fainting)
- Abnormal ECG (provides a one-shot picture of the electrical activity of the heart) or Holter 24-hour monitoring
results (Holter monitors look at the heart for a longer period of time and are necessary to detect intermittent
rhythm problems)
Possible Causes or Contributing
Factors
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1 ) Damaged conductive tissue
2 ) Coronary artery disease
3 ) Hypertension
4 ) Adverse drug reactions
5 ) Endocrine imbalances
6 ) Myocardial tissue disease
7 ) Sequela of rheumatic fever
8 ) Metabolic disorders
9 ) Nutritional deficiencies
Nutrient Applications
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1 ) Magnesium
Low magnesium nutrition has a long association with cardiac arrhythmias. Even in cases in which serum
magnesium level is normal, clinical improvement can be achieved using supplemental magnesium.
Magnesium works synergistically in these cases.
Suggested dosage: 400-800 mg daily in divided doses.
(Roden DM, Am J Cardiol 1989;63(14):43G-46G)
2 ) Carnitine
Double-blind studies have demonstrated the ability of carnitine to reduce the need for conventional
anti-arrhythmic drugs in patients with angina.
Suggested dosage: 1,500 to 3,000 mg L-carnitine daily in divided doses.
(Goa KL, Brogden RN. L-carnitine A preliminary review of its pharmacokinetics, and its therapeutic use in
ischemic cardiac disease and primary and secondary carnitine deficiencies in relationship to its role in fatty
acid metabolism. Drugs 1987; 34: 124)
3 ) Coenzyme Q10
Patients with ventricular premature beats (VPBs), without identifiable organic heart disease, exhibited
significantly greater reduction in VPBs using CoQ10 compared to placebo. Diabetic patients received the
most benefit. Hypertensives also benefitted, as well as persons who had no other disease manifestation.
Suggested dosage: 50-150 mg daily.
(Fujioka T, Sakamoto Y, Mimura G. Clinical study of cardiac arrhythmias using a 24-hour continuous
electrocardiographic recorder (5th report) antiarrhythmic action of coenzyme Q10 in diabetics. Tohoku J
4 ) Fish oils and omega-3 fatty acids
It has been proposed that high fish consumption reduces the occurrence of fatal arrhythmias.
Epidemiological studies reveal this trend among Alaskan native peoples. Studies in rats indicate that
omega-3 fatty acids from fish decrease the incidence of ventricular fibrillation. Some researchers consider
fish oil to be more effective in reducing ventricular arrhythmias than some pharmaceutical agents to prevent
and control cardiovascular disorders (Simopoulos, AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in the
prevention-management of cardiovascular disease. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1997; 75: 234239; Kremer
JM, et al,
Effects of manipulation of dietary fatty acids on clinical manifestations of
rheumatoid arthritis.
Lancet 1985; i:
184187; McLennan PJ, et al, Dietary fish oil prevents coronary artery occlusion
and
reperfusion. Am Heart J 1988; 116: 709717; Riemersma RA, Sargent CA. Dietary fish oil and ischaemic
arrhythmias. J Intern Med 1989; 225(suppl 1): 111116).
Suggested dosage: 3-12 gm daily.
Botanical Applications
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1 ) Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)
Hawthorn fruit and flowering tops have cardio-tonic constituents that are helpful in alleviating mild
arrhythmias, including mild tachycardia. It works synergistically with magnesium in reducing angina,
hypertension, and the first stages of congestive heart failure.
Suggested dosage: Hawthorn extract (standardized at 1.8% vitexin or 10% procyanidin content): 100200
mg three times daily.
(Pizzorno J and Murray M, eds., Textbook of Natural Medicine, 2nd ed,. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1999,
pp683-87)
2 ) Garlic (Allium sativum)
In addition to its cardiovascular effects of lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides, and
clotting tendency, garlic has demonstrated a cardio-protective effect of reducing tendency toward
arrhythmias in animal experimental models.
Suggested dosage: equivalent of 4,000 mg of fresh garlic (3-4 cloves) or 4,000 mcg allicin daily.
(Isensee H, et al, Cardioprotective action of garlic. Arzneim Forsch 1993;43(2):94-8)
Dietary and Lifestyle Applications
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1 ) Decrease saturated fat in the diet. Diets high in saturated fats have increased susceptibility to and
exacerbation of cardiac arrhythmias in rats induced by cardiac oxygen deficit and stress (McLennan PL, et
al, 1990;51:53-8; Charnock JS, et al, Am J Clin Nutr 1991;3:1047S-9S; Werbach, Melvyn, Nutritional
Influences on Illness, 2nd ed. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1996, p184-88).
2 ) Eliminate alcohol intake. Alcohol abuse is toxic to the heart. Years of this abuse can lead to atrial
fibrillation, sudden death, and associated nutrtional deficiencies (magnesium) that impair heart function
(Alura BM, et al, J Am Coll Nutr 1989;8(5):456; Regan TJ, JAMA 1990;264(3):377-81; Moushmoush B, et al,
Arch Int Med 1991;151:36-42; Werbach).
3 ) Eliminate caffeine. The stimulatory effects of caffeine are contraindicated in cardiac arrhythmias. Caffeine
shortens the refractory period (the amount of time before the next contraction can be started) of atrial tissue.
This condition predisposes the patient to rapid or abnormal rhythm (Dobmeyer DJ, et al, The
arrhythmogenic
effects of caffeine in human beings. N Engl J Med 1983 Apr 7;308(14):814-816)
4
)
Eliminate smoking.
5 ) Lose weight if necessary. Obesity places an excess strain on the heart muscles.
6 ) Eat a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. Emphasize such foods as carrots, tomatoes, green leafy
vegetables, red cabbage, sweet potatoes and other foods high in antioxidants (vitamin C, E, beta carotene
and selenium). Blue and purple colored fruits and vegetables (grapes, blueberries, red cabbage,
eggplant) are high in anthocyanidins, substances that may be helpful in dilating blood vessels and
enhancing blood flow. Red wine is rich in anthocyanidins, which may explain why moderate red wine
consumption decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
7
)
Limit
salt intake. Salt increases fluid retention and is not recommended for people
with hypertension.
The statements above have not been evaluated by the FDA. The nutritional suggestions and research provided are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. Please see your health care professional in all matters pertaining to your physical health. The Professional Description, Professional Notes, Patient Instructions, and items marked with an astrisk (*) are provided by the practitioner and are the sole responsibility of the practitioner.Copyright © 1998-2002 Standard in Natural Solutions, LLC.