When a Heart Beats Irregularly

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When a Heart Beats Irregularly

By   Collinge

Arrhythmias (also known as an irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations) can threaten your life. So talk to your doctor before you change anything about your treatment.

Question:

I have a heart arrhythmia and don't want to take drugs or get a pacemaker. Are there any good alternatives?

Answer:

March 27, 2000 (Mill Valley, Calif.) -- A proper diet and stress reduction may help. But whether you can get by without medication or a pacemaker will largely depend on the severity of your condition. Don't take any chances. Arrhythmias (also known as an irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations) can threaten your life. So talk to your doctor before you change anything about your treatment.

That said, you might want to consider checking your magnesium level. (You can have this done at most medical clinics with a routine blood test.) Your heart needs magnesium and potassium to maintain the electrical impulses controlling its rhythm. Researchers suspect that magnesium shortage in the heart causes a shortage of potassium, leading in turn to the potential for an arrhythmia.

The promise of magnesium as a treatment for some arrhythmias was demonstrated in a small study reported in the June 15, 1994 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. Researchers treated eighteen patients who suffered from a type of arrhythmia, new-onset atrial fibrillation, in which the heart's beating becomes rapid and uncontrolled.

These patients all received the common anti-arrhythmia drug digoxin intravenously. In addition, one group were given 10 grams of a magnesium sulfate solution intravenously, and the rest received an intravenous dextrose solution as a placebo.

After 24 hours, although their heart rhythms were still abnormal, the magnesium patients averaged a rate of 80 beats per minute, a more normal speed than the 105 beats per minute experienced by the placebo group. The magnesium group suffered no significant side effects.

While this research is preliminary, it can't hurt to be sure you're getting the right amount of magnesium. Be advised that supplements of this mineral will help only if you aren't already getting enough. Too much magnesium could actually make your arrhythmia worse, so work with your doctor to make sure you're getting the right amount.

Whether or not magnesium helps, you may be able to improve your heart's rhythm by reducing stress. Studies have shown that stress can harm the heart in many ways.

One study, published in the January 2000 issue of Circulation, studied 18 people with pacemakers. Researchers asked them to describe memories of frustrating events while an interviewer asked them irritating questions. The resulting mental stress triggered significant increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and arrhythmias.

To protect your own heart from stress, get plenty of rest and try relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. Ask your physician what kind of exercise is best for your condition.

One last cautionary note: Some alternative practitioners recommend licorice tea as a stress-buster, but it has been shown to contribute to high blood pressure, which can be a problem for someone with an arrhythmia. So avoid it if your blood pressure is high.

Collinge, MPH, PhD, is a teacher, researcher, and author in the field of integrative health.

For more information from WebMD:

SHN Chat Room Transcript: Arrhythmia

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