Atrial fib & Nutrition

Posted by Paul on August 04, 1999 at 11:50:26
Im curious, I have done a great deal of research over the past 2 years regarding Atrial Fib, I have found several clinical abstracts(& placebo controlled double blind studies) along with several board certifed cardiologists who are leaning more and more towards a nutritional approach at least in conjunction with traditional therapy.
A good example is intravenious Magnesium therapy, sometimes along with digoxin given at the onset of Atrial fib and other arrythmias symptoms I have found several Hospitals advocate such therapy.
I understand this thinking is not currently as mainstream as It could be.
I asked my Cardiologist to have an intracellular magnesium test done, He had no idea what I ws talking about!
As long as conventional treatment is not ignored, AND is done so under a physicians supervision what could possibly be the harm?
I am currently taking magnesium supplements along with Co-Q10 and hawthorn along with a good supplemental program.
I don't know if the supplements are helping yet but I FEEL better knowing that I am doing something to possibly alleviate my symptoms!!

I would like to hear from anyone with positive or negative results regarding nutrients and atrial fib!!
Paul
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 04, 1999 at 14:21:22
Dear Paul
Low potassium and magnesium levels can trigger atrial fibrillation. If their measured levels are low, supplementation is appropriate. Otherwise, I would not recommend using them, as levels that are too high can also be dangerous. I support a healthy diet and lifestyle. Health food supplements are unlikely to be useful for atrial fibrillation, and I do not recommend them for people with heart disease or arrhythmia.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by Paul on August 05, 1999 at 10:35:00

1.) Could you be more specific regarding side effects of Magnesium supplementation?
2.) Do you disagree with the "trend" of intravenous magnesium therapy for heart attack and atrial fibrillation? Several hospitals are now using this therapy.
As long as I balance my intake of calcium and magnesium what is the danger of taking an additional gram or 2 of elemental magnesium per day.
The RDA is advising a 750 mg daily requirement within a few months!

Please advise
Paul

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 06, 1999 at 09:42:30
Dear Paul
Magnesium in large doses can depress the function of the heart and lungs. It can also cause neurological problems. These concerns are more pressing in someone with severe kidney disease and/or high doses of IV magnesium. I agree with clinical trials testing the hypothesis that magnesium may be useful in atrial fibrillation or in heart attacks; I do not agree with just adopting this as standard practice until it is studied further (as is being done now). The fact that you feel better because you are doing something (by taking supplements) epitomizes the problem with untested therapies - the possible placebo effect. I prefer patients adopt healthy diets and lifestyles, in which case they really are doing something to get better, as opposed to just taking a pill.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.