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Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm abnormality. Over two million Americans are thought to suffer from this arrhythmia, but many people don’t even know they have it. With this condition, the upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly and without much force. This can allow blood to pool and cause clots that could get into the brain and cause a stroke.
Now there is evidence that atrial fibrillation may double the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people under 70. Researchers collected information for more than 37,000 patients for five years. Over 10,000 developed atrial fib during that time and roughly 1,500 developed dementia. Many may have experienced silent mini-strokes that could have affected the brain. Whether aggressive treatment of this heart-rhythm abnormality would reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease remains to be determined.
[Heart Rhythm Society meeting, May, 2009]
Puzzling, as "Alzheimers" is a distinct disease entity distinguishable from other kinds of dementia.
I can see why atrial fibrillation could be associated with "dementia" (resulting from reduced circulation or strokes), but not with the development of amyloid plaques which characterize Alzhemiers.
Are you sure this is correct?
At age 79 I experienced extreme weakness upon awakening, would rest or sleep 1 to 2 hours and then felt fine. I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and told I probably would have it for the rest of my life. I took the prescribed medications: Warfarin, Digitek and Aspirin. They caused blood spots to occur under my finger nails and made the ends of my fingers very tender. I discontinued Digitek and Aspirin.
I began Acupuncture treatments at age 79 and continued monthly. I never had a reoccurence of the fatigue and now at age 84 am free of Atrial Fibrillation.
I plan to continue the Acupuncture treatments.
My heart was damaged three years ago by the shoulder harness during an auto accident. I have had problems with heart pain, blood pressure and atrial fibrillation since.
My body simply couldn't handle the medications given me after a mild heart attack ten months ago caused by a tiny clot in the bottom of my heart. Even the enteric coated baby aspirin caused rectal bleeding. My arteries are squeaky clean with no plaque or calcifications.
What I've done is to take nattokinase and serraptase when an A-fib event is triggered and increased my daily E, Omega 3 and gingko biloba. I've had to watch all additives such as MSG, Aspertame, sulfites and sulfates, natural flavorings, etc. They definitely trigger an event.
A few months ago I started adding minerals daily but found that I had to increase my digestive enzymes greatly to assimilate them. Since I added food grown magnesium, GTF Chromium, increased my zinc, and added 1200 mg of Betaine HCL with each dose I have not had an A-fib event.
I'd tried taking other types of magnesium but they loosened my bowels. I am doing great now and as a bonus my blood pressure is terrific. No, I can't take BP meds either as all three I'd tried over the last three years cause serious side effects. I'm still suffering from these effects one and two years later.