
TAME Your Irregular Heartbeat with This FIX
Atrial fibrillation (a-fib) is an irregular heart rhythm. It’s where the atria (part of the heart) beats uncontrollably and out of sync with the rest of the heart.
Folks with the condition may feel a “flutter” in their chest or that their heart is racing nonstop.
What CAUSES a-fib has long been a mystery. But now, a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association sheds some light on the underlying trigger.
And that research also reveals a solution that could slash occurrences of these disturbing episodes.
A-fib is VERY common—especially in women as they age.
In fact, research suggests that 25 percent of postmenopausal women will develop the disease at some time in their lives.
The problem with having out-of-sync heartbeats is that blood doesn’t flow effectively. Instead, it tends to pool, and that can cause blood clots to form.
Those clots can then travel to the heart or the lungs, causing a stroke or lung problems.
The new study surveyed over 83,000 women ages 50 to 79. The researchers found that the volunteers who were under stress or weren’t sleeping well (or both) were significantly more likely to experience a-fib than those who didn’t report high stress levels or insomnia.
There are two vital takeaways from this study.
The first is a better understanding of the close connection between our brains and hearts. When we suffer in our head, our heart suffers too, and a-fib could be the result.
And second, this means that stress reduction and getting enough sleep aren’t just good ideas but a NECESSITY.
Sleep and stress are connected, of course. When you sleep poorly, your stress level SKYROCKETS. And vice versa, when you sleep well, your stress level PLUMMETS.
So, fixing your sleep issues should be a high priority because it could dial down you’re a-fib risks. And I have some tips to help you do precisely that…
- White noise: A fan or white noise generator can drown out noises to encourage sleep. You’ll find plenty of white noise apps in your smartphone’s app store, or buy a white noise machine online.
- Be consistent: Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time. Establishing a schedule and sticking to it helps your body wind down and prepare for sleep.
- Try herbs: Several herbs can help you relax and sleep better, including chamomile, passionflower, hops, and valerian. Both teas and pills are available anywhere supplements are sold.
- Pain: One of the common causes of poor sleep is pain (back pain, arthritis, etc.). You can reduce your pain without turning to harmful pain medications with inflammation-fighting supplements such as fish oil (EPA/DHA), turmeric, and Boswellia.
- 5HTP: 5 hydroxytryptophan, or 5HTP, is a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that increases mood-enhancing serotonin. It also helps to increase melatonin. Supplementing with 5HTP can improve sleep quality, improve mood, decrease pain perception, and even improve digestion.
- Melatonin: One of the best ways to prepare your body for sleep is to use melatonin. We tend to produce less of this vital hormone as we grow older. You’ll find melatonin at any vitamin or supplement shop.
A-fib indeed becomes more common with age. But it isn’t inevitable.
You can reduce your risk by improving your sleep and stress levels. And if you’re already battling the condition, the same changes could reduce episodes.
P.S. 20-minute secret ENDS your stress.
Source:
“Association Between Insomnia, Stress Events, and Other Psychosocial Factors and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Postmenopausal Women: Insights from the Women’s Health Initiative,” Journal of the American Heart Association. 2023;12:e030030, doi. org /10.1161/JAHA.123.030030

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.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...