"SKIP" Atrial Fibrillation with 3 Heart Hacks
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 16, 2023
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) can be as uncomfortable as it is dangerous.
Feeling those heart palpitations or flutters in your heart is downright nerve-wracking, to begin with. But then, knowing that you could suffer a sudden, deadly blood clot can send your anxiety right through the roof.
The mainstream approach to treating the disease is either cardioversion, which literally stops your heart and shocks it back into rhythm, OR an invasive surgery.
And sadly, neither is typically a permanent fix.
But if you’re at risk for A-fib, some SIMPLE heart hacks could help you dodge the condition.
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a common disorder. It causes the upper part of the heart (the atria) to beat irregularly.
If you’re a senior, you’re at a higher risk. But it can strike folks at any age.
A-fib can make you feel fatigued. And an irregular heartbeat can cause blood to pool in the heart, raising your risk for blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.
Like most heart-linked conditions, maintaining healthy blood pressure and managing weight can reduce your chance of developing atrial fibrillation.
But that’s not ALL you can do. The following are three PROVEN hacks to dial down your A-fib risk.
- Slash Stress: Research shows that stress increases your risk for atrial fibrillation. So one of the first (and best) steps you can take to slash your A-fib risk is to REDUCE your stress.
You can start by getting better, quality sleep and using relaxation techniques like deep breathing, prayer, or meditation. Quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and stop consuming too much caffeine—all of which can increase your stress.
Then try MY favorite stress-reducing trick… take a “nature pill.” Also known as “vitamin O” (for outdoors), spending some time outside in nature has literally been PROVEN to reduce stress.
Something remarkable happened when researchers had three dozen volunteers spend a few extra minutes outdoors three times a week. Just 20 minutes in nature made their stress and cortisol (stress hormone) levels plummet.
- Exercise: If you aren’t already exercising, it’s time to start. Research shows it has a direct impact on A-fib risk.
In a six-month study, folks who regularly exercised (supervised AND unsupervised moderate exercise) experienced far fewer atrial fibrillation episodes.
Plus, the attacks they did have were significantly less severe.
But most remarkable of all was that, in some cases, the A-fib disappeared entirely. A closer look reveals a few likely reasons WHY it worked.
Exercise demolishes stress (a known A-fib risk factor), to begin with. Plus, the researchers reported the volunteers lost weight, lowered their blood pressure, and slept better.
Pick an exercise you enjoy and that isn’t too strenuous, such as walking, swimming, cycling, or golfing. The key is to do it consistently.
- Vitamin D: Recent research revealed vitamin D can be a potent tool in the fight against A-fib.
D affects the heartbeat by encouraging the absorption of calcium. And calcium, in turn, helps generate electrical impulses and muscle contractions that regulate heartbeat.
When researchers gave volunteers high doses of vitamin D daily, their A-fib risk plummeted. After four years, folks taking 40 micrograms had a 27 percent lower risk of an irregular heartbeat, and those taking 80 had a 32 percent lower risk.
Your best defense against atrial fibrillation is to avoid those heart palpitations in the first place. These three heart hacks could help you do just that.
P.S. Recent research reveals another powerful, drug-free tool that could help you dodge A-fib. And believe it or not, you can pick it up at your local grocery store. CLICK HERE for the details.
Source:
“Heart Disease: Atrial Fibrillation,” Centers for Disease Control and Intervention, cdc. gov
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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