Severe Vitamin D Deficiency & Atrial Fibrillation

Heart function depends on the maintenance of a regular rhythm. When the heart rhythm is irregular, the heart is unable to pump adequate amounts of blood to meet oxygen demands in the body. Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption. Since heart function partly depends on normal calcium levels, adequate intake of vitamin D is important in preventing heart dysfunction. According to the textbook "Diseases of the Kidney and Urinary Tract," low blood calcium increases the risk for developing atrial fibrillation.

Dietary Intake of Vitamin D and Calcium

A major portion of vitamin D in the body is obtained from dietary sources. Vitamin D can also be synthesized in the skin under direct sunlight. Sources of vitamin D include cod liver oil, cooked mackerel, salmon, vitamin D-fortified orange juice, yogurt, sardines, margarine, eggs and Swiss cheese. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, your daily amount of vitamin D should be at least 400 international units, or IUs, per day. Yogurt, cheese and milk are also high dietary sources of calcium. Other sources of calcium include sardines, spinach, soybeans, turnip greens, molasses and almonds. Making dietary changes that include high sources of calcium and vitamin D should help prevent atrial fibrillation.

Calcium Regulation

Calcium balance is maintained by the action of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Both glands can sense the levels of calcium in the blood and respond accordingly to changes in calcium levels. When blood calcium levels are low, the parathyroid gland releases parathyroid hormones, which causes increased calcium release from bone into the blood. When blood calcium levels are high, the thyroid gland releases calcitonin, which increases calcium removal from the blood.

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation may occur without symptoms, but when symptoms occur, they can be quite discomforting. A person with atrial fibrillation may experience heart palpitations or the sensation of the heart beating outside the chest. Atrial fibrillation may also be associated with the lack of energy due to the reduced circulation of oxygen-rich blood. Other symptoms that may be associated with atrial fibrillation include dizziness, discomfort in the chest and shortness of breath. When shortness of breath is associated with atrial fibrillation, it results from reduced oxygen delivery to organs of the body.

Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

The objective when treating atrial fibrillation is to establish a regular heart rhythm. The upper chambers of the heart should contract before the bottom chambers. Treatment should also involve the restoration of normal heart rate, preventing the formation of blood clots, correcting electrolyte abnormalities and reducing the risk of stroke. Heart rate control medications, such as digoxin, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, can help slow the heart rate to normal. Heart rhythm can be controlled by anti-arrhythmic medications, such as procainamide, disopyramide, sotalol and flecainide. To reduce the risk of stroke, anticoagulant medications, or clot preventers, such as warfarin and aspirin, can be used. Deficiency in vitamin D or calcium must be addressed to ensure effective treatment of atrial fibrillation.