Is There Research to Support that Lifestyle Changes Affect Atrial Fibrillation?

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• Suzie April 1, 2015

  How do you know which lifestyle change is having greatest effect regarding reversal and improvement: nutrition, exercise, meditation, support. Other programs higher in different kinds of fats (animal too) have great results also, usually eliminating wheat, dairy, sugar, alcohol….but also including exercise and other self care. Does Dr Ornish subscribe to one size does not fit all? Maybe some do better with animal protein? So many learned people with different positions.

• Ben Brown, MD April 20, 2015

  Hi Suzie, there is more agreement then disagreement on this issue. If you look at actual outcomes and not just risk factor changes then the plant based diets win hands down. Unless you have seen a study that I have not, there has been no other diet that has been shown to reverse heart disease. Many benefit from eliminating other items from their diets including sugar, wheat and alcohol. It is not so much as one size fits all, but that many of the benefits people are looking for can be achieved with the same 4 basic elements. If someone does not want to reverse heart disease, but wants to slow progression then there is room for some modifications. That was the idea behind the Spectrum book. Ben

• Que April 1, 2015

  Would you mind addressing the role of supplements for mineral and vitamin deficiencies in Atrial Fibrillation?

• Ben Brown, MD April 20, 2015

  I am not sure if there is a specific deficiency you are referring to? The most common ones that would be recommended would be a trial of Magnesium and Omega 3 oils.

• John Nestra April 1, 2015

  Dear Dr. Brown, I would like more information on triggers that might cause an afib episode. I am taking two baby aspirin as a blood thinner . Does this seem enough? I have an episode about once every 2 to 3 months. My doctor has not elected to put me on an anti arrhythmic drug. I now wonder if I am more uptight than I realize . I never thought I was. I seem to be rambling -sorry. I am just frustated by this problem and am always looking for more information. Sincerely, John Nestra

• Rachel Lehmann-Haupt April 6, 2015

  IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN. If you believe you have any other health problem, or if you have any questions regarding your health or a medical condition, you should promptly consult your physician or other healthcare provider. This site/call center does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, or opinion to you or to any other individual. Although Dr. Ornish is not able to answer personal medical questions, please refer to these frequently asked questions.

  https://www.ornish.com/wp-content/uploads/FAQ_Ornish_Program_8.19.14.pdf

• David Petro April 3, 2015

  It has been recommended that I have an implantable Cardiac device put into my chest to help maintain a normal heart flow and rhythm. My question is that is it possible to control and change the Congenitive heart disease and bundle branch blockage with the proper diet and life style?

• Ben Brown, MD April 20, 2015

  Hello David, we do not give medical advice online, so I can not respond about the ICD in your chest. But if you mean Congestive Heart Failure and a Bundle Branch Block? Congestive Heart Failure can be modified somewhat by diet, but the process is slow and does not always reverse. It depends on the cause. I am not aware of life style changing a Bundle Branch Block.

• chana sasson April 24, 2015

  I’ve just been diagnosed with AFib and have been put on metoprolol 50mg., eliquis 5 mg., and Furosemide 20 mg. twice a day. I am eating plant life, limited to 10% fat and 1 serving of Chobani no fat plain yogurt a day.
  Can I have 1 cup of Turkish coffee a day?
  Should I take iodine?
  What about taurine, hawthorn berry and Wenxin Keli?
  Can I eat a Tofutti pop that contains maltrodextrin, sorbitol polydextrose and aspartame?
  Can I have whey protein concentrate in an ice-cream (Arctic Zero) with 0 fat and munk fruit for sweetener and no ‘junk’?

  I expect to overcome this problem. I completely eat the ‘Ornish’ way and would appreciate your help in having the answers to the above problems. And I greatly appreciate the courteous help I was given on the phone. Thank you. Chana Sasson

• Ben Brown, MD May 20, 2015

  Hi Chana, Though I can’t offer specific medical advice, coffee is not good for people with rhythm problems, I would keep the quantities of those foods you are asking about very low. I am not sure about the iodine, hawthorn and wenxin keli. Best of luck in your health pursuits. Ben

• brad mackintosh September 15, 2015

  How long does it take to get used to a diet like the ornish way after living on junk food all my life age 57

• Ben Brown, MD October 29, 2015

  Hi Brad, for most people the getting used to a new diet of any major change takes from 30 to 90 days if the change is consistent. If it is not consistent then it will likely take longer. Many have also found that those that feel much better on a new diet or have positive associations with it adjust faster. Note: If you have ever gone from a high salt to a low salt diet after you adjust to the change the food you used to eat can almost become intolerable. Same if you change from whole to skim milk. The same is true for many after they make the change to the Ornish diet. To your health, Ben

• Abercombie September 18, 2015

  Thanks for this post, Dr. Isherwood especially the areas in which you adedsrsed beginners. I’m a total Yoga newbie but went to Yoga Rocks the Park last week with some friends and had the best time! I was a bit of a cynic as I’m not very flexible and have always been of the mindset that you need a lot of cardio in order to have a good workout. But after that one class, I’m completely hooked on yoga and am looking forward to incorporating it more into my life!

• Max Stoker September 30, 2015

  I have recently been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and am on Xarelto 20 mg per day. I feel ok. But a little tired. I have had arthritis – esp in my knees and lower back for some years. I am 65 years old. I feel ok – except my knee pain and general muscle joint pain is becoming very hard to put up with. I am taking some Paracetomol and this helps a little. I think the Xarelto is the cause of this aching problem. I wonder if I were to stop the Xarelto and just live with a small likelihood of getting clots? I am losing wt, eating healthily and exercising regularly. Can I just live with the AF with no mess? Cheers Max.

• Ben Brown, MD October 29, 2015

  Hi Max, this is a decision to be made with your medical team. They will also likely be familiar with the lifestyle changes that have been shown to reverse atrial fibrillation and can best guide you in your choices. To your health, Ben

• Richard Ault January 29, 2016

  I have heard that doseages of Simvastain
  or Lovastatin (30-40 mg.) per day can diminish carotid artery palque. Is there any truth to these statements?

  Can you recommend any other dietary or
  lifestyle approches to reducing arterial
  plaque?

• Ben Brown, MD February 1, 2016

  Here is a nice review article about statins and carotid artery plaque. Some studies show that it helps others do not. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2496987/

  This article discusses the Ornish progam and carotid arterial plaque.

  https://www.ornish.com/zine/ornish-reversal-program-also-work-carotid-artery-disease/

  To your health, Ben

• Margo February 8, 2016

  I have been following the Dr Ornish reversal heart disease program since July 2015 after being diagnosed with A Fib. I have purchased the Reversal Plan book as well as the Spectrum. I have lost weight, and am feeling better. I have not had nuts, seeds, added oil( with the exception of eating out regarding a bit of oil). I have found lots of controversy regarding products with coconut. Can you give some facts regarding coconut products?

• Ben Brown, MD February 16, 2016

  Hi Margo, I am glad that you have lost weight and are feeling better. Your question about coconut is a common one. Coconut is the new darling of some of the fad diets out there. It does appear to be biochemically different from many of the other saturated fats as it has medium chain triglycerides. Unfortunately, there is not enough high quality research to say that it acts different then other oils. As more research becomes available I may be able to say more. To your health, Ben

• JobPotucek October 12, 2016

  What is the most effective lifestyle change to reverse afib?

• Ben Brown, MD February 21, 2017

  The challenge with multi-factorial issues is that by definition they have many different causes. That means one person may be best helped by weight loss and lowering blood pressure and another person may need to get their sleep apnea treated. So for an individual it is not possible to say which is the most effective change. That being said here are some simple screening tests you can do for sleep apnea: and if you have high blood pressure or any other risks than it would be important to address those. This other article I wrote may be of help. To your health, Ben