Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffMany arrhythmias can be blamed on underlying heart disease, so your doctor may suggest that, in addition to other treatments, you make lifestyle changes that will keep your heart as healthy as possible. Making healthy lifestyle changes can also help prevent heart arrhythmias from developing in the first place.
These lifestyle changes may include:
- Eating heart-healthy foods
- Increasing your physical activity
- Quitting smoking
- Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol consumption
- Finding ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life
- Avoiding stimulant medications, such as medications found in over-the-counter treatments for colds and nasal congestion
The role of omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient found mostly in fish, in the prevention and treatment of arrhythmias isn't yet clear. But it appears as though this substance may be helpful in preventing and treating some arrhythmias.
References
- Arrhythmias. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular_disorders/arrhythmias_and_conduction_disorders/overview_of_arrhythmias.html. Accessed Jan. 29. 2013.
- What is an arrhythmia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/arr/. Accessed Jan. 29, 2013.
- Substances & heart rhythm disorders. Heart Rhythm Society. http://www.hrsonline.org/Patient-Resources/Substances-Heart-Rhythm-Disorders#axzz2JbtJY5qH. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013.
- Stone CK, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=55753892. Accessed January 28, 2013.
- Wang, PJ, et al. Supraventricular tachycardia. Circulation. 2002;106:e206.
- Drugs with risk of Torsades de Pointes. Credible Meds. http://www.azcert.org/medical-pros/drug-lists/list-01.cfm?sort=Generic_name. Accessed Jan. 30, 2013.
- Drugs with possible risk of Torsades de Pointes. http://www.azcert.org/medical-pros/drug-lists/list-02.cfm. Accessed Jan. 30, 2013.
- Understand your risk for arrhythmia. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/UnderstandYourRiskforArrhythmia/Understand-Your-Risk-for-Arrhythmia_UCM_002024_Article.jsp. Accessed Jan. 30, 2013.
- Antithrombotic therapy supplement. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement.https://www.icsi.org/_asset/bjr47w/Antithromb-Interactive0512.pdf. Accessed Jan. 29, 2013.
- Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate): Drug safety communication. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm282820.htm. Accessed Jan.28, 2013.
- Rix TA, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiac arrhythmias. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. In press. Accessed Jan. 29, 2013.
- U.S. News best hospitals: Cardiology & heart surgery. U.S. News and World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cardiology-and-heart-surgery. Accessed Feb. 1, 2013.
- Hands-only CPR fact sheet. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/HandsOnlyCPR/LearnMore/Learn-More_UCM_440810_FAQ.jsp. Accessed Feb. 10, 2013.
Find Mayo Clinic on