Overview

Arrhythmias are heart conditions in which the heart does not beat with a "regular rate and rhythm" (RRR). These are often called "heart palpitations". This condition includes:

  • sinus bradycardia,
  • premature atrial contractions,
  • atrial fibrillation,
  • atrial flutter,
  • supraventricular tachycardia,
  • heart block,
  • premature ventricular contractions,
  • ventricular tachycardia,
  • ventricular fibrillation,
  • cardiac arrest.

A wide range of these conduction abnormalities in the heart are visible in an ECG (electrocardiogram).

Please see conventional, complementary, and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

Etiology

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

  • Increasing age
  • Family history
  • Damage to the heart caused by myocardial infarction may lead to abnormal conduction
  • heart disease or heart surgery
  • Valvular heart problems [Some naturopaths report some nutritional treatments can reduce this].

Modifiable Risk Factors/Triggers

  • Hypothyroidism can also play a prominent role, where mucin infiltration impacts electrical signal conduction in the heart [Barnes], [Zondek1944], [Starr2005, pg 135].
  • Paradoxically, hyperthyroidism can also cause heart arrhythmias.
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure).
  • Sleep apnea.
  • Viral infections.
  • Electrolyte imbalances.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption (How much is too much? Cut it ALL out and see if the problem goes away!)
  • Over-exercise, stress, anxiety.
  • Excessive stimulant consumption (caffeine, diet pills, street drugs).
  • Tyramine-containing foods.

Differential Diagnosis

  • Copper toxicity can cause tachycardia; This may especially be a problem in "red-rock" areas of Arizona, where the soil/water may be high in copper.

Treatment

Conventional Treatments

Always consider anti-coagulant therapies (warfarin, ASA, Xarelto (rivaroxaban), etc) to prevent stroke!

Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative Treatments

Thyroid Optimization

Various practitioners have reported success arrhythmias with concurrent hypothyroidism, with normalization of conduction within weeks of treatment for hypothyroidism. In these cases, remission of symptoms is attributed to resolution of myxedema of the myocardium [Barnes], [Zondek1944], [Starr2005, pg 135].

Nutritional Medicine

  • Hawthorn solid extract.
  • Optimize copper and zinc levels and ratio. [Gaby2011, pg 248]
  • Optimize both magnesium and potassium levels.
  • Fish oil [Gaby2011, pg 247]
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D [Gaby2011, pg 248]
  • Taurine
  • Arginine
  • Limit MSG, aspartame, caffeine and alcohol intake [Gaby2011, pg 246]
  • Eliminate food allergies [Gaby2011, pg 246]

Note that nutritional supplements and testing are not covered by most insurance policies, but may be eligible for payment out of Health Care Savings Accounts.

Optimize mitochondrial function:
  • Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10)
  • L-carnitine or Acetyl L-carnitine
  • PQQ
  • Selenium
  • Coenzymated or natural B vitamin complex
  • D-ribose

Spinal Manipulation

Chiropractic, DO/ND manipulation.

Physiotherapy

Massage, acupressure.

Acupuncture

Homeopathy

Consider homeopathy as an adjunctive therapy!

Neurotransmitter Balancing

Neuro Research [Hinz2015] reports that chronic diseases such as Cardiac Arrhythmias can be benefited by balancing neurotransmitter levels in the body.

Dr. Weyrich has been trained in neurotransmitter balancing protocols, but has not treated Cardiac Arrhythmias using this technique.

Please see What is Neurotransmitter Balancing? for more information.

References