For those atrial fibrillation patients who are on amiodarone, or for those avoiding it, there is good news. Multaq® (dronedarone), a replacement for amiodarone, received priority review status from the US FDA. While amiodarone is among the most effective atrial fibrillation medications, it has major toxicity issues that dronedarone doesn’t display.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to doctors who are prescribing amiodarone for their atrial fibrillation patients saying that those patients should take no more than 20 milligrams of Zocor®, Simcor®, or Vytorin®.
A new study in Circulation indicates that light exercise can help prevent atrial fibrillation in older people, reducing the risk 22 to 44 percent.
That sounds great, but is exercise right for everyone, especially elderly? Probably not, especially if we already have atrial fibrillation. Exercise brings on atrial fibrillation in some people; it stops atrial fibrillation in others.
While exercise may be safe for most people, it’s probably wise to pay attention to your atrial fibrillation triggers in case it works differently for you.
The Arctic Front® Cryoballoon Procedure for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation will be featured in a live webcast on August 30, 2008.
If you’re a Blackberry addict or a stress junkie, which can contribute to atrial fibrillation, you may be interested in this new article in which Mellanie True Hills, CEO of StopAfib.org, was quoted.
Mellanie True Hills quoted at FOXBusiness.com
P.S. A reader just sent this additional link for Blackbery addicts:
Texting and walking is bad for your health, emergency-room doctors say
So texting can kill, too.
If you have atrial fibrillation related to sleep apnea, you’ll want to check out this article as it could save your life.
Caution For Those With Atrial Fibrillation Related to Sleep Apnea
You can take advantage of a rare opportunity to ask famed electrophysiologist and “catheter ablation maestro”
UPDATED 8-17-2008: “Ask Dr. Natale” is now closed, but you may now ask questions of Salwa Beheiry, who works very closely with Dr. Natale. Click on the link above to learn more and to go to the site where you can ask Salwa your questions.
It’s been pretty hectic with my travel marathon — 3 trips within a week, and I’m packing to leave again tomorrow.
Being on the road gave me time to reflect on the recent losses of Tony Snow and Dr. Michael DeBakey, as well as the losses a few weeks earlier of Tim Russert and George Carlin. Some were young, some were not, but all were tragic losses. Each left an indelible mark on us and our world. They left a legacy.
Even while Tony Snow was struggling with colon cancer, he lived with such grace, authenticity, and love for those around him and his world that even in adversity he made a difference. As we struggle with our own health challenges, including atrial fibrillation, may we also make a difference for those around us.
It was great to take time to reflect. When my days on this earth are through, I want to have helped others live longer, healthier, and happier lives by helping to:
That’s what I want my legacy to be and what StopAfib.org is all about. Please pass the word to those who are struggling with atrial fibrillation, and their families.
What will your legacy be?
If you haven’t already, please sign up for our StopAfib.org newsletter so you’ll be the first to know when we roll out new things for you in the coming weeks and months.
Last time, we mentioned the Micronutrient Information Center of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Here’s some additional information from there related to cardiac arrhythmias:
“Walnuts are especially rich in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid with a number of cardioprotective effects, including the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias that may lead to sudden cardiac death.”
So, walnuts can help prevent cardiac arrhythmias. Wow!
Other good sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, canola oil, mustard oil, soybean oil, and tofu.
If you’re not familiar with flaxseed, check out my flaxseed article.
If you have atrial fibrillation, it might be worth considering adding these foods to your diet.
Do these foods help with your afib?
Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that may be responsible for atrial fibrillation in families. They scanned the entire human genome and discovered a genetic mutation common to all family members with atrial fibrillation.
