AFib or atrial fibrillation has become increasingly common. In the past, this was only observed in the elderly, but the age has been dropping rapidly. The risk factors have been linked to an increasingly unhealthy lifestyle. Everyone needs as much help as possible in fighting this serious health issue. This includes both the treatment and the prevention.
One of the therapies that provide both is called PEMF. This article discusses the available options for individuals suffering from atrial fibrillation. Related studies have provided information that appears to be encouraging regarding PEMF therapy and atrial fibrillation. This being said, it never hurts to have more information.
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is classified as a rapid and irregular heartbeat. This increases the risks of heart failure, stroke, heart attack and other conditions related to the heart. The heart has four chambers, two ventricles or lower chambers and two atria or upper chambers. Both upper chambers beat out of sync and chaotically with the lower chambers during atrial fibrillation.
This causes the person to experience shortness of breath, palpitations, and weakness. Sometimes these symptoms develop into a true condition. In some cases, these symptoms can come and go. Atrial fibrillation is usually not serious but can be the beginning of life-threatening health issues.
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
The majority of individuals with atrial fibrillation do not have symptoms so they remain unaware of the condition for a long period of time.
Those who have symptoms generally experience:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Lack of ability to exercise
- Weakness
- Confusion
Causes and Risk Factors
There is a good reason atrial fibrillation begins with the two upper chambers of the heart. The sinus code is a group of cells contained in the upper right chamber. These cells are a natural pacemaker.
Every heartbeat begins with an electrical impulse from these cells. When this activity is irregular and chaotic, the heartbeat becomes chaotic leading to the development of atrial fibrillation.
The causes may include:
- Abnormal heart valves
- Overactive thyroid gland
- Heart attacks
- Viral infections
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Age
- Alcohol
- A family history of the disease
- Obesity
- Chronic conditions
- High blood pressure
Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
The type of treatment is dependent on the severity of the symptoms and how long the individual has had the condition. The treatment goals are to prevent blood clots, the risk of stroke, to reset the rhythm of the heart and to control the heart rate. This can be accomplished with medication or invasive procedures including catheters, surgery and electrical rhythm resetting.
PEMF therapy can also be used either to manage the AFib symptoms, to control the heart rhythm or as a preventative measure. This can be demonstrated with scientific evidence.
PEMF Therapy and Atrial Fibrillation
PEMF is the most effective when it is used in the initial stages of atrial fibrillation. One of the major factors for this condition is inflammation in the body. PEMF has been shown useful in treating inflammation and can help people with AFib. (1) PEMF therapy is not necessarily used by itself during the later stages but may be effective with other conventional therapies.
In this instance, PEMF can heighten the impact of the other therapies while decreasing any side effects. PEMF's work by sending the cells in the body electromagnetic waves. The sinus code can be affected by sending PEMF stimulation towards the atria and the chest. This determines the heartbeat's pace. Frequencies below 2000 Hz are generally considered the most effective on achieving the desired results.
There are sources suggesting highly positive results can be achieved with a frequency of ten Hz and under. Dr. Pawluk believes has done a lot of research regarding PEMF's. He believes very good results can be achieved with fifteen to thirty minutes of stimulation to the chest. This reduces the symptoms. A study on dogs was recently conducted to provide additional insight as to the way PEMF can suppress atrial fibrillation.
In 2015, American and Chinese scientists conducted a study to investigate how PEMF therapy effected atrial fibrillation. Jacobson J, Po SS, Sheng X, Garabelli P, Sha Y, Stavrakis S, Dyer JW, Scherlag BJ, and Yu L were the principal investigators for this study. This particular study used seventeen anesthetized dogs. All of these dogs had bilateral thoracotomies. Multielectrode catheters were placed in the pulmonary veins and in both of the heart's upper chambers. AFib was created through the rapid atrial pacing.
At the start and finish of every hour of RAP, the ERP or effective refractory period and the width of the vulnerability window were shown by the programmed atrial stimulation. This was how the AFib inducibility was measured. Microelectrodes were placed within the right anterior ganglionated plexi to record the neural firing. Helmholtz coils were powered using a function generator. This created a 0.952 Hz, 0.034 uG electromagnetic field. The subjects were divided into two separate groups. PEMF stimulation was given to the cervical vagal trunks for group 1 or n=7. Stimulation was given to the chest for n=10 or the second group. The heart was placed at the coil's center.
The results revealed an increase in the AFib threshold was achieved with PEMF stimulation for group 1 for all pulmonary and atrial vein sites. The vulnerability and the dispersion ERP window increased in the second group during the three hour period of RAP. The initial values then returned during the combined application of RAP and PEMF.
