Performing AFIB ablation (substitute any medical intervention for a lifestyle induced disease process here) on a patient without them incorporating lifestyle changes is like the video below. Think about it.
Tag: lifestyle
deeply personal
My maternal grandfather was my father figure. We affectionately called him “Dhomdada” after a character he used to play in the local theater. He grew up poor, “stone soup” was a reality for them, not just a story. He didn’t finish high school since his family had very little money and he needed to start…
sleep apnea & AFIB
Half the patients with AFIB also have sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea have 4 times the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. How does sleep apnea contribute to AFIB? Potential mechanisms: Changes in intrathoracic pressure during apneic episodes leads to left atrial stretch. Intermittent periods of hypoxemia (low oxygen) and hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide) related…
leaking roof, rotting timber
ARREST AFIB trial Dr. Dennis Lau from Adelaide, Australia made this analogy at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting in San Francisco. He works with Dr. Prasanthan Sanders’ group. This group published one of the seminal studies regarding lifestyle and AFIB – the ARREST AFIB trial. Lifestyle factors that lead to AFIB are like the leaking…
inflammation & AFIB
IL-6 and CRP Inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive proteins (CRP) have been found to be elevated in setting of atrial fibrillation. Inflammation likely plays a role in initiation and perpetuation of AFIB. Tissue analysis of the left atrium in patients with AFIB has shown signs of inflammation. Inflammatory markers have been…
cannabis & the heart
There is lack of consensus on marijuana and its health effects. There is no question that THC helps chemotherapy associated nausea. However as this article suggest marijuana will increase risk of heart attacks in susceptible patients. Marijuana use has been associated with increased risk of stroke, though causality remains to be proven. Marijuana may contribute…
sleep quality & AFIB
Sleep apnea is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation. However, even after adjusting for sleep apnea, quality of sleep is an independent predictor for atrial fibrillation. Here is the full article: Article summary : The 2 variables that correlated with increased risk of AFIB – time required to fall asleep and frequent nighttime awakening. This decreases…
calerie
CALERIE (Comprehensive Assessment of Long term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy) was a study designed to determine the biological effects of two years of prolonged caloric restriction in humans. 218 adults – randomized to 2 groups. Control group followed their usual diet. Experimental group – goal was to reduce caloric intake by 25% but…
intermittent fasting
Every major religion and culture has promoted fasting for millennia. After a meal, glucose is released in the bloodstream. Cells use it for energy. Insulin is released and any excess glucose that is unused is stored in the fat cells as fat. We need to let the insulin levels come down, in between meals, so…
fiber, butyrate and brain health
High fiber diets decrease risk of obesity, colon cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Can it help your brain too? Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by bacterial fermentation of fiber in the colon, can improve brain health. Butyrate is also present in butter, however gut bacteria can produce much higher levels…