The heart is comprised of four chambers. Each chamber has a one-way valve at its exit that prevents blood from flowing backwards. The mitral valve connects the left atrium (top chamber) to the left ventricle (bottom chamber). It’s made up of two triangular-shaped fibrous membranes, thin but tough, which are attached to strong cords like parachute cords, in turn attached to muscles. When the heart contracts, the two leaves billow up to close off the opening between the upper atrium and the lower ventricle on the left side of the heart. However, if the valves become damaged as is the case in mitral- valve prolapse (MVP), blood spills back into the atrium. This is known as regurgitation. The backflow of blood through the valve causes the heart to work harder.
MVP which affects 5-10 percent of the population is fairly harmless in most patients. However, a small percentage of patients with MVP may experience angina (chest pain), arrhythmia (abnormal heart beats), and excessive valve leakage that can lead to congestive heart disease. The regurgitation may prevent the heart from getting enough blood to meet the body’s metabolic needs. This can then lead to further problems that compromise the entire cardiovascular system.
Dysautonomia and MVP
Although MVP is usually thought of as an anatomical heart dysfunction (leaky valve), research and clinical experience reveal that it may not be so simple. Cardiologists and other specialist are beginning to realize that MVP may also be associated with a condition known as dysautonomia. It is estimated that forty percent of patients with MVP have an imbalance in their autonomic nervous system or dysautonomia.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls almost all of the bodily functions including heartbeat, blood pressure, sleep, mood, vision, respiration, immune function, and metabolism. A dysfunctional ANS may cause migraine headaches, fatigue, poor sleep, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, irritable bowel syndrome, and other unwanted health conditions.
Diagnosis
MVP is usually diagnosed by examination, history, and an echocardiogram. Individuals who don’t have a heart anomaly (leaky valve) but do have all the symptoms associated with MVP are said to be suffering from mitral valve prolapse syndrome (MVPS). Ninety-eight percent of those with MVPS don’t have anything wrong with their heart. These individuals have an imbalanced autonomic nervous system or dysautonomia. Stress is the major contributing factor in the onset of dysautonomia. Stress can come from a chronic or acute illness, traumatic accident, emotional, physical, mental, or chemical stress bankrupts a person’s stress coping chemicals. People with MVPS have an increased incidence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), infertility, altitude sickness, endometriosis, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seventy percent of patients with MVPS suffer from depression. Forty to sixty percent suffer from panic attacks. Restoring normal brain chemistry with amino acid therapy may help reduce the feelings and physical manifestations of anxiety, depression and panic disorders.
Brain function questionnaire
Conventional medical treatment for MVP
Conventional medical treatments for MVP typically involve recommending one of the following beta-blockers (Inderal, Lopressor, Tenormin, Toprol, and Blocadren). Beta-blockers slow the heart rate down by blocking the cell receptors for epinephrine (adrenaline). By slowing the heart rate, these drugs may increase the pressure placed on the blood vessel lining. This can cause further damage to damaged or clogged arteries.
Beta-blockers have several potential side effects including congestive heart failure (CHF), shortness of breath, heart block, fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness, depression, insomnia, colitis, headaches, dizziness, tingling in the hands and feet, wheezing, bronchospasm, increases severity of asthma or chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, Raynaud’s syndrome (discoloration, burning, tingling, pain and or numbness in the hands, fingers, toes or feet), decreased sex drive, muscle fatigue, reduces HDL (good cholesterol), increases LDL (considered to be the bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (blood fats), hyperglycemia (diabetes).
Now, I don’t know about you, but the idea of taking a drug that may cause heart death (CHF) scares me!
Nutritional approach
I’ve found that most patients can overcome true MVP without the use of beta-blockers (Toprol, Tenormin, and Lorpressor). Those with MVPS will need to address the underlying cause(s) of their illness. This involves building up stress coping chemicals and abilities through restoring adequate levels of serotonin, cortisol, DHEA, essential fatty acids, and other vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. For a more in depth look at dysautonomia I suggest you consider reading my first book Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As many as 70% of those with fibromyalgia have MVP. These two illnesses are triggered by acute or chronic stress and result in dysautonomia.
Magnesium Magnesium is an essential mineral which is involved in over 300 bodily enzymatic processes. Adequate amounts of magnesium are needed to insure proper heart function. A deficiency of magnesium may increase heart disease by decreasing free radical damage.
Natural Beta Blocker
Magnesium is a natural sedative and makes muscle relax. The heart, which is mostly muscle, and the smooth muscle contained in the blood vessel lining are dependent on magnesium. A magnesium deficiency leads to muscle spasm or contraction.
It acts like a beta-blocker by inhibiting stimulatory hormones including norepinephrine and epinephrine (hormones that increase heart rate). Fortunately, magnesium doesn’t cause fatigue or the other symptoms associated with prescription beta-blockers.
Natural Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium and magnesium help regulate the heart rate. Magnesium relaxes smooth muscle, including the heart, and calcium constricts or tightens smooth muscle. The more calcium within a muscle cell, the more tense or tight muscle becomes. The calcium channels are guarded by magnesium. This magnesium valve helps prevent too much calcium from entering a cell. However, if a person is deficient in magnesium calcium ions are able to infiltrate cells and cause muscle contraction. Magnesium acts as a natural calcium-channel blocker. It prevents too much calcium from entering the cell membrane. The more magnesium within a muscle cell, the more relaxed the muscle.
Studies show that magnesium reduces the symptoms of MVP including palpitations, chest pain, and fatigue. I place my MVP and other cardiovascular patients on a good optimal daily allowance multivitamin/mineral formula with a minimum of 500mg of magnesium chelate or citrate (most absorbable form of magnesium).
CoQ10
CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone. CoQ10 has been shown to be effective in returning heart function to normal. This is especially true when discussing congestive heart failure. Patients need to take a minimum of 100mg indefinitely, as symptoms of heart disease will usually return with in 2 years of discontinuing therapy.
CoQ10 can’t be manufactured by the body. Instead we must obtain CoQ10 from the foods we eat. However, due to modern agricultural and live stock practices, obtaining adequate CoQ10 through diet has become a challenge for many adults. We tend to assimilate less CoQ10 as we age. Research also shows we tend to need more CoQ10 as we age not less. This is most likely due to an increase in coronary artery disease with resultant increased demands placed on the heart and other tissues.
The primary function of CoQ10 is to provide cellular energy. In each cell there organelles (small organ cells) known as mitochondria. Mitochondria are similar to a cars cylinders. They allow a chain of chemical reactions to create a spark which generates 95 percent of the body’s energy. CoQ10 is the spark that helps ignite the energy production within the mitochondria. Without CoQ10 there is no cellular energy!
CoQ10 is more abundant in some cells and organs than in others. It tends to congregate in the organs which need the most energy including the heart and liver. Researchers investigating CoQ10 have estimated that as little as a 25 percent reduction in bodily CoQ10 will trigger various disease processes including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cancer, and immune system dysfunction.
The results of using CoQ10 in treating heart disease can be quite dramatic as the study sited below illustrates.
A group of class IV (terminal) congestive heart failure patients were supplemented with CoQ10 in addition to their prescription medications. Normally, class IV patients live only a matter of days. Seventy one percent of those taking the CoQ10 survived one year and 62 percent survived 2 years!
Several studies have demonstrated the role high blood pressure plays in heart disease. Research also shows that CoQ10 is able to reduce blood pressure in high risk heart disease patients. In one study CoQ10 lowered systolic pressure from an average of 141 to 126 and diastolic from 97 to 90.
DoseI recommend my patients consider taking
A minimum of 50mg a day for prevention and 100-200mg for treatment of coronary heart disease, including associated high blood pressure.
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There are
hundreds of CoQ10 products on the market. Depending
on the quality, CoQ10 can cost as little as pennies
per tablet. However, the cheaper forms of CoQ10 are
cheap for a reason. They use inferior CoQ10 usually
loaded with fillers and additives. Pure high quality
Co10 comes from Japan. It costs more but is yields
better results. Tablets require binders that restrict
the absorption of CoQ10.It’s therefore best to use
Co10 in capsule or chewable form. My Healthy Heart Formula combines the
needed nutrients for improving and maintaining a healthy
heart.
Hawthorne berry
Hawthorne berry acts as a natural beta-blocker. The normal
dose is 200mg 3 times a day.
Studies show that hawthorn appears to stabilize heart
rhythm and should be considered for patients with valvular
insufficiency or heart fibrillations.
For a more in depth look at MVP and other cardiovascular
illnesses check out my book, Heart Disease: What Your Doctor Won’t
Tell You,
available at Barnes and Noble or online.