Vitamin C, a water soluble essential nutrient, is one of your body's most important antioxidant substances and also contributes to the formation of connective tissues. Atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular rhythm of contraction of the upper chambers of the heart, or atria, is a common occurrence following some forms of heart surgery. Vitamin C has shown promising results in prevention of atrial fibrillation in some people. Consult your doctor about using vitamin C to treat or prevent a medical condition.
Combination Therapy
Studies have shown that vitamin C supplementation together with beta-blocker therapy is more effective at reducing atrial fibrillation following heart surgery than beta-blockers alone, according to a report published in the June 2011 issue of the journal "Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery." Antioxidant vitamins, in general, seem to reduce risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation, say researchers, though high-quality data is lacking and more large-scale clinical studies are needed in order for this therapy to be widely adopted.
Dosage
In a study published in the January 2007 issue of the "Texas Heart Institute Journal," patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery showed a low incidence of atrial fibrillation when they took vitamin C together with beta-blockers prior to the surgery. In the study, 50 participants took beta-blockers for one week prior to surgery along with 2 g of vitamin C the night before surgery and 1 g per day for five days after surgery. Atrial fibrillation occurred in four percent of the vitamin C group and 26 percent of the group that received beta-blockers alone.
Stress Relief
Oxidative stress on the heart leads to chemical and electrical imbalances and impaired nerve conduction that can result in atrial fibrillation. Oxidation also promotes blood clotting and can lead to thrombus formation in the left atrium. Drugs to counteract the problem have been largely ineffective and carry risk of substantial side effects, say researchers of a study published in the February 2010 issue of the "International Journal of Cardiology." As an alternative, vitamins C and E may present a safe and natural preventative measure by protecting the heart against oxidative damage before it occurs and reducing the need for drugs to normalize heart rhythm.
Deficiency
Low levels of vitamin C are associated with excessively rapid rate of atrial contraction. according to Peter Kowey, editor of the book "Clinical Management of Atrial Fibrillation." Antioxidant therapy using vitamin C has been shown to be effective in small studies, while vitamin E, another antioxidant, has not been shown to reduce risk of atrial fibrillation. Consult your doctor about using vitamin C to manage atrial fibrillation.
References
- "Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery"; Does Prophylactic Therapy with Antioxidant Vitamins Have an Effect on Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiac Surgery?; S. Rasoli, et al.; June 2011
- "International Journal of Cardiology"; Use of Vitamins C and E as a Prophylactic Therapy to Prevent Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation; R. Rodrigo, et al.; February 2010
- "Texas Heart Institute Journal"; Oral Ascorbic Acid in Combination with Beta-blockers is More Effective Than Beta-blockers Alone in the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting; M.Eslami, etal.; 2007
