ACE and ARB meds may help prevent AF?

[Guest guest]

I found an interesting study on Medscape today.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/493281

The study was a meta-analysis of many other studies on the blood

pressure medications of the ACEI (angiotension converting enzyme

inhibitor) or ARB (angiotension receptor blocker) variety.

The study found ---

" The prevention of atrial fibrillation is particularly challenging

given that the incidence of this disease is very high and present

treatments have suboptimal and nontrivial risks.[29] The burden of

the disease will continue to increase as the population ages. Hence

there is much interest in identifying interventions that can prevent

the development of atrial fibrillation. Delaying this progression has

the potential to reduce a lot of morbidity, mortality, and health

care expenditures. The results of this meta-analysis of seven

randomized controlled trials involving 24,849 patients, suggest that

treatment with ACEIs/ARBs markedly reduces the risk of development or

recurrence of atrial fibrillation. "

I found this interesting in that my own AF episodes have decreased

markedly... but they upped my dosage of flecainide (to 150mg bid) at

about the same time I started on an ARB (valsartan 160mg uid), so I

can't be sure which drug has had the most effect. But I am a happy

camper in NSR for 10+ months.

, Charlotte NC

flecainide 150mg x2, aspirin 325mg, valsartan 160mg, fish oil

concentrate 1000mg x2, magnesium oxide 250mg