An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias can have either a quickened or slowed heartbeat and can be regular or irregular. Eating a balanced diet and getting enough vitamins on a daily basis does not generally lead to heart arrhythmias, but they can occur as a result of too little of some vitamins or too much of others. If you're experiencing arrhythmias, consult a physician since there can be numerous causes and they can pose a serious health risk.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
Vitamin B-12 is commonly found in animal foods, such as beef liver, various kinds of fish, meat and poultry, as well as fortified foods such as breakfast cereals. If you fail to get enough vitamin B-12, it can lead to a medical condition known as anemia. Anemia is a blood disease in which your body's ability to make new red blood cells is compromised. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, anemia caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to heart arrhythmias as well as other symptoms, such as fatigue, low energy and permanent nerve damage.
Vitamin C Deficiency
While iron is not a vitamin, iron deficiencies are quite common and can lead to symptoms that include heart arrhythmias. However, if you fail to get enough vitamin C in your diet, your body may be less able to absorb iron, which can lead to an iron deficiency, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, part of the National Institutes of Health. Vitamin C is commonly found in foods such as citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli, cabbage and potatoes.
Vitamin Toxicity
Taking too much of a certain vitamin can lead to vitamin toxicity. For example, your body needs vitamin D to maintain calcium and phosphate concentrations in your body as well as to grow and maintain your skeletal system, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. If you get too much vitamin D, however, you can experience symptoms that include anorexia, weight loss and heart arrhythmias.
Other Causes
Apart from vitamin excesses or inadequacies, heart arrhythmias can also be caused by many other conditions. MayoClinic.com reports that causes of heart arrhythmias can be caused by such conditions as coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, drug abuse, excessive alcohol or caffeine, stress, various kinds of medications and dietary supplements or herbal products. Even if you have a vitamin deficiency or excess that is known to cause heart arrhythmias, consult a physician to determine the cause of the condition.
Member Comments