Natural Remedies for Arrhythmia

Heart arrhythmia, also known as cardiac arrhythmia, is a common heart condition.

“We have a cardiac electrical system that makes our hearts beat. Sometimes, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat can become abnormal,” explains Lindsay Harris, MBA, APRN, NE-BC, a Mass General Brigham advanced practice registered nurse. Harris is senior nursing director for Advanced Practice Nursing at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she cares for cardiac patients.

Fortunately for people with arrhythmias, there are many safe and effective medical therapies available. But in addition to what your doctor might prescribe, are there other natural remedies that can help treat heart arrhythmias?

In this article, Harris explores additional treatments that may complement your arrhythmia treatment plan. However, she recommends working closely with your medical team before trying any alternative therapies.

Signs and symptoms of arrhythmia

An abnormal heart rhythm can be too fast, like tachycardia, too slow, like bradycardia, or irregular. Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is the most common arrhythmia.

“Many arrhythmias are harmless, but the symptoms can still feel unnerving,” says Harris.

Symptoms vary and depend on the type of arrhythmia. Common symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Exercise intolerance

• Feeling dizzy or faint

• Fluttering heartbeat

• Racing pulse

• Shortness of breath

• Skipped or irregular heartbeat

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some arrhythmias need treatment because they carry an increased risk of serious cardiac events. For example, Harris says that Afib is linked to a higher risk of stroke.

“We diagnose arrhythmias using an electrocardiogram, also called an EKG or ECG,” Harris says. “An EKG or a wearable monitor can measure and record the electrical activity of the heart.”

There are effective treatments, including:

• Medication

• Non-invasive procedures

• Surgically implanted devices like pacemakers or defibrillators

But what about alternative, complementary, or natural remedies for heart arrhythmia?

Natural remedies for irregular heartbeat

“For some people, conventional arrhythmia treatments might seem limited or daunting,” says Harris. “This may lead them to research alternative or complementary options.” People are typically most curious about natural remedies right after an arrhythmia diagnosis. Harris says the first-line recommendation is generally a conventional treatment. However, she recognizes that many people like to know about all options.

Harris cautions that natural remedies aren’t yet an accepted part of standard arrhythmia treatments because there’s not enough research to prove their safety and effectiveness. “We really don’t have a set standard with data and research for most complementary treatments,” she says. With this caveat in mind, she discusses natural remedies for arrhythmia:

Acupuncture for arrhythmia

“There have been some small promising studies of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy that can help some people living with arrhythmia,” Harris says. An adjunctive therapy is a treatment used in addition to the primary treatment.

One study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology demonstrated the potential benefit of acupuncture in people with Afib following an electrical cardioversion, a treatment that helps regulate the heart rhythm.

Mind-body practices for arrhythmia

“Mind-body therapies such as yoga and meditation may help people with heart arrhythmias,” says Harris. Stress creates the hormone adrenaline, and adrenaline can contribute to arrhythmias. “We’re learning more and more about how important stress reduction is in cardiovascular health.”

Supplements for arrhythmia

“We want to be careful with supplements because most are not regulated, and none are FDA-approved to treat arrhythmia conditions,” says Harris. Unregulated supplements require caution. They may contain contaminants, have different dosages than what’s on the label, and contain ingredients that aren’t listed.

Harris says that two supplements may benefit cardiac health and reduce the risk of arrhythmia events:

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

These supplements have anti-inflammatory properties, which protect against oxidative stress that can contribute to arrhythmias and other heart problems.

However, supplements are not treatments for arrhythmia. Harris also says there’s no evidence that any supplement can prevent arrhythmia. Before you try a supplement, she advises discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Electrolytes for arrhythmia

“People with arrhythmias sometimes ask about taking electrolytes, such as potassium or magnesium,” says Harris. “Electrolytes are an important part of the heart’s electrical cycle. When they’re imbalanced, cardiac arrhythmias can occur.”

However, Harris does not recommend supplementing with electrolytes on your own. It’s difficult to strike the right balance of electrolytes without first testing to see where your levels are.

“Elevating the wrong electrolytes can be dangerous to heart health,” she says. “We don’t want you taking electrolytes unless your levels truly are imbalanced. This is one of those areas where it’s best to work with your healthcare provider.”

Partner with your provider

Harris notes that although natural remedies aren’t heart arrhythmia treatments on their own, they may be helpful additions to conventional treatment. “We need more large human trials to explore these options,” she says. “We just don’t have many of them yet.”

As with all natural remedies, it’s critical to work with your providers to avoid dangerous interactions and ensure the best possible treatment for you. Your cardiac care team, which can include a cardiologist, electrophysiologist, and primary care provider (PCP) among other health care providers, can help you weigh all your treatment options. By working closely with your providers, you can learn how live with arrhythmia.