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Cardiac Arrhythmias and Their Management

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I look at cardiac arrhythmias and their management differently. After reading about the short, long-term and late stage side effects that conventional therapies for managing my Afib can cause, I chose to pursue evidence-based non-conventional management therapies.

I was diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy in 2010. Afib was the main symptom that tipped me off to my cardiomyopathy.

According to research, the risk of stroke is for an average person my age (64) is 4.7%. When my heart flipped into chronic atrial fibrillation, in late 2010. According to the article linked below, my Afib increased my risk of stroke five-fold to about 24%.


What are some non-conventional therapies for stroke reduction?

1. Acupuncture

  • Description: An ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body.
  • Potential Benefits: Some studies suggest that acupuncture may improve blood flow and help manage conditions like hypertension, which is a significant risk factor for stroke.

2. Mind-Body Practices (e.g., Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation)

  • Description: These practices combine physical movement, breath control, and meditation to promote overall well-being.
  • Potential Benefits: They may reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and enhance overall cardiovascular health, thereby reducing stroke risk.

3. Nutritional Supplements

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil, may reduce inflammation and lower triglyceride levels, contributing to heart and brain health.
  • Folic Acid and B Vitamins: Help lower homocysteine levels, which, when elevated, can be a risk factor for stroke.
  • Ginkgo Biloba: An herbal supplement believed to improve circulation and brain function, though evidence on its effectiveness is mixed.

4. Biofeedback

  • Description: A technique that uses electronic monitoring to help patients gain control over physiological functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
  • Potential Benefits: Can help individuals learn to manage stress and hypertension, which are important for stroke prevention.

5. Herbal Medicine

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Herbal remedies like ginseng, ginger, and turmeric are sometimes used to support cardiovascular health and reduce stroke risk. However, these should be used cautiously and under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
  • Hawthorn: Often used in European herbal medicine to support heart health and improve circulation.

6. Chelation Therapy

  • Description: A treatment that involves the intravenous injection of a solution containing EDTA, a substance that binds to heavy metals and minerals.
  • Potential Benefits: Some believe it helps remove calcium deposits from the arteries, potentially lowering the risk of stroke. However, this therapy is controversial and not widely accepted in conventional medicine.

7. Ayurvedic Medicine

  • Description: An ancient Indian system of medicine that uses diet, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes to promote health.
  • Potential Benefits: Some Ayurvedic herbs and practices are believed to support cardiovascular health and reduce stroke risk. Examples include Ashwagandha for stress reduction and Arjuna for heart health.

8. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

  • Description: A treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment.
  • Potential Benefits: While primarily used for wound healing and certain types of poisoning, some believe HBOT can help improve brain function and reduce stroke risk by enhancing oxygen delivery to brain tissue.

9. Functional Medicine

  • Description: A holistic approach to cardiac arrhythmias and their management that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease.
  • Potential Benefits: Functional medicine practitioners may recommend personalized lifestyle changes, dietary interventions, and supplements to reduce stroke risk based on an individual’s unique genetic and biochemical makeup.

10. Homeopathy

  • Description: A system of alternative medicine based on the principle of “like cures like,” where highly diluted substances are used to treat various conditions.
  • Potential Benefits: Some people use homeopathic remedies aimed at improving circulation and reducing stroke risk, though scientific evidence for homeopathy’s effectiveness is limited.

I am not any sort of health professional much less a cardiologist. However, I’ve learned the hard way that conventional therapies often bring a host of side effects with them.

man hand holding his nutritional supplemets, healthy lifestyle background.

Of the many therapies that I pursue to reduce my risk of stroke, I have found few if any side effects. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, reduce my risk of stroke while they provide many other health benefits. 

Do exercise, fish oil, curcumin, acupuncture, etc. etc. reduce my risk of stroke as much as conventional therapies? I don’t know. All I know is that I have lived with chronic afib since 2010 and not suffered a stroke. I will write about it if I ever do have a stroke.

If you would like to learn more about non-conventional therapies for cardiac arrhythmia and its management email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Cardiac Arrhythmias and Their Management: An In-Depth Review of Current Practices and Emerging Therapies

“Cardiac arrhythmias encompass a range of conditions characterized by abnormal heart rhythms, affecting millions globally and significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current practices and emerging therapies in managing cardiac arrhythmias, covering their

  • definition,
  • classification,
  • epidemiology,
  • and the critical importance of effective management…

Cardiac arrhythmias encompass a range of conditions characterized by abnormal heart rhythms, affecting millions globally and significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current practices and emerging therapies in managing cardiac arrhythmias, covering their definition, classification, epidemiology, and the critical importance of effective management.

It explores the pathophysiology underlying various arrhythmias, including the mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis, such as re-entry, automaticity, and triggered activity.

The review details the latest diagnostic tools, including ECG, Holter monitoring, and electrophysiological studies, and discusses the clinical presentation of different arrhythmias, from supraventricular to ventricular types and bradyarrhythmias.

We examine current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies, such as antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, and device therapy, highlighting their efficacy and limitations.

Furthermore, the review delves into emerging therapies, including advanced catheter ablation techniques, novel antiarrhythmic agents, gene therapy, and innovative device technologies like leadless pacemakers and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)…

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type, with an estimated 33 million individuals affected globally. The incidence of arrhythmias increases with age, and they are more common in individuals with underlying cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure [3]

Effective management of cardiac arrhythmias is crucial due to their potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality [4]. Untreated arrhythmias can lead to severe complications, such as stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. For instance, atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for stroke, increasing the risk by fivefold…

Clinical presentation and diagnosis

Cardiac arrhythmias can present with a wide range of symptoms, including palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, and anxiety. However, it is important to note that some arrhythmias can be asymptomatic and go unnoticed, with the irregular heartbeat detected during a routine physical examination or incidentally during diagnostic testing for other conditions [9]

The most common type (of arrhythmia) is AF, marked by rapid and irregular electrical signals in the atria, leading to ineffective contractions. Patients with AF may experience palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, and an increased risk of stroke [13]. Management typically involves rate control using medications like beta-blockers, rhythm control with antiarrhythmic drugs, and anticoagulation therapy to prevent thromboembolic events…

Emerging therapies

Cardiac arrhythmias and their management is evolving rapidly, with several emerging therapies showing promise for improved outcomes. Among these, advances in catheter ablation techniques stand out as particularly significant. Catheter ablation has become a cornerstone treatment for various arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation…

 

 

 

 

 

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