Recommendations for Atrial Fibrillation
If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, suffer from rapid or irregular heartbeat, have chest pain or feel anxious (especially at night), consider these recommendations.
Though all of these recommendations should be helpful—and safe—for almost everyone, be sure to consult with your physician before trying them. If you have not already seen a physician, don’t wait; these symptoms may be indications of more serious conditions.
Recommendations
First, eliminate potential triggers: alcohol, caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate), and any stimulating herbs (ephedra, ginko biloba, ginseng, guarana, horny goat weed, etc.).
Check for side effects of any prescription medications you’re taking. Also, check for stimulants in any over-the-counter drugs you’re taking (e.g., pseudoephedrine).
Reduce sodium. This is difficult since almost all packaged foods contain added sodium. Read the labels. Intake should be less than 2400 mg per day. Stop using table salt. Sodium depletes potassium, essential for the heart.
Increase intake of potassium. You can take supplements (try Source Naturals Potassium Amino Acid Chelated 99 MG – 100 Tablets), but it’s best to get as much potassium as you can from food: bananas, prunes, oranges, tomatoes, raisins, etc. Two of the best sources are blackstrap molasses and coconut water.
Increase intake of magnesium (this is the single most helpful thing I have found). Deficiency is common and magnesium is necessary for a normal heart rhythm. Food sources include dark green, leafy vegetables and nuts, whole grains, and fruits. But if you’re having symptoms, you’re most likely deficient and would benefit from supplementation. I use magnesium citrate (Natural Vitality Natural Calm OZ – 16 Powder), an inexpensive and easily assimilated form, and experienced improvement almost instantly. Start with a spoonful mixed with hot water and work up to as much as 1200 mg. per day (stop if you get diarrhea; magnesium is a laxative). It’s best to divide the dosage into two or three drinks per day. If you take it an hour or so before bedtime, it will help you to relax and you’ll be less likely to experience a racing heart or anxiety in the middle of the night.
Take a good, low-dose multi-vitamin (more is not always better), such as Nature’s Plus Source Of Life Multi-Vitamin W/Whole Food – 90 Tablets.
Experiment with other helpful supplements. We’re all different; what works for me may not work for you. I also take taurine (try
Jarrow Formulas Taurine 1000 MG – 100 Capsules) and CoQ-10 (try
Nature’s Life Coq 10 30 MG – 60 Softgels). These are both helpful for the heart.
Eat a heart healthy diet. Simply put—eat more fruits and vegetables. I consider these three books essential reading: Eat to Live
Get some exercise. Walking even 15 or 20 minutes every day will help.
Drink ample fluids. Dehydration can contribute to atrial fibrillation.
Status: Draft. Last edit: 05.23.08
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
Karl
very reassuring to read. I don,t feel as alone after reading this, thankz
Feb 17th, 2010
Mark
This is a great website and I am so glad I found it. I am a new A-Fib patient who just had an unsuccessful ablation and am looking for ways to deal with the problem.
Mar 17th, 2010
Truus
I’m now 66 and the aortic valve replaced 17 years ago with a mechanical one. A few years later developed CONSTANT Atrial Fibrilation. Had 7 cardio-versions in a about 5 years time. AF kept coming back. After that had an Ablation which didn’t work. My heartbeat right now is between the 80 and 90 beats and the cardiologist wants to change the Dygoxin to Bisoprolol, but just reading the possible side effect this is a no-no for me. I try to avoid medication (although I am taking Coumadin – I see the importance of that) and would rather try anything natural to at least get the heartbeat down to an average of about 70-75 even if it stays irreguar. (I got sort of used to the irregularity, although to get a steady heartbeat would be a gift from heaven!)
Any advise will be very much appreciated.
Mar 21st, 2010
Ann Wyatt
Hello Truus.
You could also try the magnesium. Apart from the benefits to your body generally, it helps to support the heart muscle and control blood pressure. As I suggested to Darrell (my apologies to him for spelling his name incorrectly in my posting) take a note of the foods and drink you are having. These days the preservatives 220 (sulphites) and all those in this range 220+ are horrendous and trigger Afib episodes. 220 is in wine and many packaged foods, including the Weight Watchers products. I would be very interested to know how you get on if you start taking magnesium. I have my cardiologist and my GP very interested in my results and that’s amazing. In fact, my cardiologist commented that on my last ECG that my heart seemed to have got ‘younger’ in the way it was operating. He said that normally it would be showing more wear and tear for my 69 years. I love my magnesium.
Good luck.
Ann
Mar 23rd, 2010
Steve Schaich
I was diagnosed with A-Fib 2 years ago. Was first put on beta-blockers and metaprolol (sp) to slow my heart down. All that did was slow me down and A-Fib came once or twice a week. Changed Dr’s who put me on coumadin to keep me from having a stoke, then last fall admitted me for 3 day stay in the hospital to monitor giving me flecainide 100 mg twice a day. Still had A-Fib once or twice a week, but felt way better from being off slow down drugs. I read on this site a month that dehydration is a contributor. Bingo, I thought dizziness was from A-Fib but it turns out I was dehydrated which caused dizzy and A-Fib. I have double my water intake and have gone 19 consecutive days without A-Fib–which is the longest by > double of reoccurances. Dr says if I go another month without afib he will take me off rat poison (coumadin). Happier now than in a looooong time. Drink up folks and lemme know if it works for you.
Apr 20th, 2010
anneh
Hi I am a very healthy 70yo slim/vegetarian and walk daily. I try to do everything naturally. Due to a stupid dr overdosing my thyroid med (I have low thyroid) I went hyperthyroid and ended up in ER with A-Fib a couple months ago, cardiologist put me on beta blocker/aspirin but agreed I could wean off which I did. I thought it was over but early hours this morning to my shock it was back. After a couple of hours I went ahead and took the beta blocker and then it seemed to subside a short time later. I have an appt with the cardio next week. Its not my thyroid meds as I just got the result of most recent test and all is well. I hate to be on these drugs but I am terrified that I am going to die :( I have the Natural Calm but was taking another form of magnesium (along with hawthorne/cayenne/garlic and high potassium diet)so will go back to the NC. Thanks for any encouragement or help as I am so disappointed that it came back :( anneh
Jun 30th, 2010
Harold
My wife had to go to the emergency room the other night because of several days of A Fib. They gave her morphine to calm her and to help with shortness of breath. They also had her on oxygen. She has tried several prescription medications but they were intolerable. Is there anybody out there that can give me some good advice as to what may help? She also tried coumadin, lopressor, digoxin and so many other hit-and-run medicines, that caused her to get worse including bouts of nausea and vomiting.
We notice that her A Fib is worse, as far as the shortness of breath goes, in the late evening. Thanks for any help that you may provide. Hospital stays just make her feel worse as the doctors and nurses just put her in a room and then they go back to their computers and, most of the time, don’t even seem to know that the patients are there. Thanks again.
Jul 21st, 2010
ANN WYATT
Hello Harold.
I haven’t responded to this forum for a while because I seem to have got rid of my A-Fib. I have only had 2 episodes in the last almost a year and the only thing I have been taking which has made a significant difference is magnesium orotate. The orotate is an easier form to take because the body absorbs it more easily. It supports the heart muscle and also helps to lower blood pressure. The longer I have been taking the magnesium, the fewer episodes I have had. While I would never advise against taking medication prescribed by your doctor, I feel that the ‘cocktail’ is more of a hindrance than a help. Another thing which I found tended to trigger an episode was becoming overheated by bedclothes especially in the winter. Some of the doonas are too warm for our climate. Stress is also a big factor so Rescue Remedy helps here. It is completely natural. Chemists have it.
Good luck.
Ann
Aug 6th, 2010
Mark
Hi Thanks very much for this information it is a great comfort to hear from others. I have been getting A-Fib attacks several times a year now for 2 years. Diet water intake all these things I have been reading about are what I am ignoring so its reassuring to see how changing these things is improving thing for you all. I will pay more attention to them and see if I can improve my health. And will definitely be coming back here for advice and support.
All the best mark.
Sep 4th, 2010
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