5 Books That Have Helped Me

[PlanetaryKim]

Here are 5 books that have helped me navigate my way through afib as a “lifestyler”, as I manage and reduce (and hopefully someday eliminate) my afib through lifestyle changes. There are of course many other books and resources out there for us. I hope other people here will add their own favorites.

1. The Afib Cure, by John Day and T. Jared Bunch (2 electrophysiologists and afib experts), published 2021. Brand new book and really great! Am reading it now. Even though these 2 doctors are ablation experts, they say right up front on page 10: “Using the practices detailed in this book, many patients are able to put their afib into remission without procedures.” It’s a very practical book with good info on afib causes and triggers (causes are different from triggers), and a great chapter on Biomarker Monitoring.

2. Lone Atrial Fibrillation: Towards a Cure, by Hans Larsen, 2015. And his next book…

3. The LAF Surveys: What We Learned About the Causes and Treatment of Lone Atrial Fibrillation, by Hans Larsen, 2020. Hans Larsen is the now-retired founder of the afibbers(dot)org forum – a patient support forum running 20 years (since 2001). He has also produced the Afib Report since 2001. His 2 books listed here were of great use to me as I began to understand/investigate the causes and triggers of my own afib, and what strategies I could deploy to lessen them. Also much information on afib drugs and surgery for people walking that road.

4. The Sinatra Solution: Metabolic Cardiology, by cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, 2005 (revised 2011). Not an afib book per se like the first 3 are. But excellent detailed source of information on a “supplements” approach to improving heart health in general. He advocates his “Fab Four”: Co-Q10, L-Carnitine, D-Ribose, Magnesium. He has a good chapter on each. For afib, he recommends adding fish oil to that. I personally have problems with most supplements, including these. I am taking nothing except Magnesium right now. But for people who want to go the supplement route for afib, Sinatra’s book is valuable to read. I learned a lot.

5. The Paleo Cardiologist, by cardiologist Jack Wolfson, 2015. Not afib-specific, but lots of good information. Good chapter on the Top 20 Supplements for heart health. After years of practicing procedure-oriented cardiology, he has now moved over to a more holistic approach focusing on diet, supplements, lifestyle for heart health.

[Spangle14]

Thanks Kim, I have the J Day one on order and I most certainly will look into your other recommendations, as I continue my quest for answers.

[Peony4575 in reply to Spangle14]

It’s good. I have audio version and have listened while doing the housework etc

[Hidden]

Kim, thanks for taking the time to put this together. I wish the various doctors I saw had advised me about lifestyle, though I’m not sure they knew much about it

[Desanthony]

Thanks for the recommendations Kim. I have to say I was on all the supplements supposed to be good for heart health from the Sinatra book and that is when I got Afib. In the last 4 years since my AFib was diagnosed I have come off most supplements after seeing a dietician. I now take High dose vit D and magnesium but it hasn't made much difference to AFib the only thing that has made a difference is cardioversion. I will have a look at the other books you mention though as anything can help.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Desanthony]

I have not found the supplements to be helpful. Or rather I should say, I have found each of them to cause problems in me greater than any help they may or may not be conferring, so I stop shortly after starting. But some people swear by them. On another afib group I am on, one member ssys he has ended his afib with Vitamin D and magnesium, but says it took 3 years.

[Desanthony in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Oh well there's hope I suppose!

[bassets]

Thank you

[CDreamer]

Good summary Kim, thank you. I stopped taking fish oils about 12 months ago, I think they may help brain as my neurologist recommended them but not heart. CoQ10 is beneficial for me but I think I do have trouble with Mitrochondria. D-Ribose similar but more helpful when my Myasthenia is bad, I don’t think it helped heart. Can’t take Magnesium but even my GP is very keen on Vit D supplementation, in moderation.

I was wondering about getting the A-Fib Cure, more for the information so thanks for the recommendation.

As AF is not my primary concern these days I need to balance conflicting needs and this is where I think a lot of people struggle. I was lucky enough to work with two excellent doctors, 1 a GP and the other NHS consultant who were dual trained Lifestyle Doctors and had done a lot of their own research who taught me a lot but all on similar lines as all of the above - Lifestyle First.

I agree with JamesKildare - just wish I had been guided at the beginning of my AF journey when it may have made a big difference. I also found they knew little and I strongly objected to one very overweight nurse lecturing me on what I should and shouldn’t eat who knew nothing about nutrition and obviously couldn’t practise what she preached.

I do wish the NHS would realise just how much could be gained for both staff and patients by organising educational groups on Lifestyle - not just for AF’ers but many who suffer from various chronic conditions. Unfortunately in my experience, it’s not that easy to get people to change - until life gets uncomfortable and the dis-ease advanced and even then, a pill or a procedure for a quick result is expected - just read many of the posts on this forum, many who seem reluctant to change their lifestyle beit losing weight, giving up alcohol or reducing exercise or addressing stress or sleep issues. I include myself in this - I struggle with weight loss and although until my 50‘s I was slim, as I age and became less active the pounds accumulated.

So my question is - is medicine really science led? - in which case I believe Lifestyle Medicine would be more dominant. A good example of where it is starting to change would be Prof Spectre’s recent work through COVID on the Gut Biome, although many had got there before him. Or do patient’s expectations of a quick cure become the dominant factor?

I do wish there was a LOT more accessible help and support available for making Lifestyle changes.

Once bright spot on the UK scene is Nutritank - aimed at getting nutritional education to the next generation of doctors. nutritank.com/

[PlanetaryKim in reply to CDreamer]

We don't even have such a thing as Lifestyle Doctors in Canada, unless one goes outside the funded system and pays for various "alternative" medical practitioners. I get so frustrated and outright disgusted with the medical system. It has become entirely protocol-driven and not at all patient-centered. Gone are they days of Marcus Welby, MD - haha! (Popular US TV show of the 60s. Don't know if it reached across the pond.) Doctors look to protocol to make a diagnosis, then protocol to prescribe a drug or procedure, then send you out the doorr. Medical care for the masses, one size fits all. I have done so much better for myself, and avoided so many unnecessary chemical burdens and procedural burdens on my body by doing a lot of reading and making my own decisions. Doctors seem incapable of evaluating the individual patient right in front of them and adjusting the protocol accordingly.

[CDreamer in reply to PlanetaryKim]

It’s more or less the same here, we’re just incredibly lucky in our practice as one of our GP’s is Lifestyle trained, they try to apply as much of their knowledge and experience as they can through the NHS. It is starting to change a bit now, slow progress though.

[db601 in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Hi Kim,

Thanks for your insightful comments.

& Amen! You need to be your own fiercely driven personal patient advocate.

My take:

*keep several providers in your loop (someone will trust your instincts and *hear* you … or just get weary with your resilience to silence)

*get the frequent metrics, scans and consults you need

*be conscious of the forces you are facing - age, insurance tables, big pharma and weary providers.

Your CLL is probably manageable.

The other challenges are formidable.

I may be dealing with yet another secondary neoplasms (3 post CLL post Ibrutinib- 2 prior). ATM mutation and an emerging CHEK2

variant are the fertilizing accompaniments of the Ibrutinib- 7 years - now

at 70 mg. Drug holiday discussed but clinical trial cancelled. Could it be the $200k /year cost the pharma does not want to loose?

This will be #6 secondary neoplasms - found by my insistence to have an US to measure kidney cysts picked up in a September lumbar MRI.

3 providers suggested I wait until scheduled scans standing orders for June 2022.

But *she* persisted.

US finally scripted by cardiologist.

Findings:

*indeterminant*lesion 2 cm in front of the hemorraghic Proteinaceous cysts.

I scheduled the MRIs mid December. and will go from there.

Wounded but not slain …

Diana

[PlanetaryKim in reply to db601]

Thanks for the update, Diana! Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear about yet another secondary neoplasm. Good luck with the MRIs! At least they should provide some clarity. Are you currently on ibrutinb? I finished all CLL drugs in July (was just on venetoclax at that point). I halted a bit early but I think it was the correct choice, all things considered.

[db601 in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Hi Kim,

Yes - 7 years now but down to 70 mg - the lowest dose.

I hope you are feeling well on your BTKi free days. I’m sure it was a daunting decision.

The clinical trial for a holiday would have been perfect. The frequent scans, labs and surveillance would have been the prudent approach with my profile. (11q mutated)

Not to be - cancelled by the pharma and strings attached to limit the facilities - all of this made for no compromise. ( $$$ the issue - as usual - someone slapped them into consciousness with the possible negative numbers on the bottom line)

After I clarify what is now growing - cyst or secondary neoplasms - I will be lobbying for more surveillance- frequent surveillance and hearing aids for all involved. (Cardiology oncologist exempt) really a gift to me and now maybe more than ever.

*Dr Joe Carver - Penn - superhero. *

I’ll keep you posted and I would like to know of your progress. It makes me feel hopeful. Thank you.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to db601]

I hope it turns out to be cyst and not neoplasm, Diana! And feel free to private message me here so we can stay in touch since we are both on a CLL journey. I can't initiate a message to you because I have been banned from CLL group by the admins. They have put restrictions on my account that prevent me from initiating a first message to anyone in that group (even though you are also in this group). But if you start the message process by sending me a first message, then we will have an open channel. It's ridiculous kindergarten stuff really. But that's the way those particular admins are. lol! Good luck to you! -kim

[Figbar in reply to CDreamer]

I live in the US. Would love to find lifestyle doctors!

[CDreamer in reply to Figbar]

Plenty of them in US - it’s where the ideas originated.

Mark Hyman’s book is a good starting point - link to his online community

onecommune.com/hacking-your...

Also look at Zoe - they have a program in the US for food analysis. joinzoe.com/

[Figbar in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for this info.I will look into this.

[secondtry]

Hi Kim, certainly with Covid there are plenty of Lifestyle changes!! Thank you for this list and any others to add, should be given to all those diagnosed with AF at the outset. Re supplements, I have always under dosed as I regard them as potentially as problematic as Big Pharma's products. On my personal journey now, I have reached the stage where my other lifestyle actions have taken effect and I am considering reducing (one at a time) the supplements (Mg compound, CoQ10, Krill oil & garlic) to see if any are instrumental to my good health....will take months/years!

[Auriculaire in reply to secondtry]

Why bother with garlic supplements when you can eat the real thing?

[secondtry in reply to Auriculaire]

You are right, I should it would be far healthier. It is just convenience, you have prompted me to ask the supplement provider how much garlic is equivalent to their recommended daily dose.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to secondtry]

I would be interested to know answer from supplement maker. I make garlic toast almost nightly with dinner. usually 2-3 cloves, sliced up and sauteed quickly in olive oil and butter. I try to not crisp it up in oven too long. Garlic pieces are still soft and succulent.

[kalgs in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Bake a whole garlic bulb . Cut top off and pour oil over . Foil wrap and in oven at 165c for 30 mins. Keep in fridge airtight .Mild and good for all recipes

[PlanetaryKim in reply to kalgs]

Sounds good!

[secondtry in reply to PlanetaryKim]

In the UK I buy garlic supplement from lambertshealthcare.co.uk their product says 'each tablet contains a level equivalent to 8250mg of fresh garlic..'. As the cloves in my kitchen weigh around 3000mg each, you are spot on with your garlic toast; I will have to try it.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to secondtry]

Good to know! I have never had any idea who the supplement dosage compares with the 'real thing'.

[Ianp66]

Ordered the afib cure Kim after Peony recommended it, definitely sounds a good read,looks like some other great reads there in your post, every little helps as they say 👌

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Ianp66]

Yes, every little help indeed! I feel a lot better off learning the things I have from doing this reading... Knowledge is power as they say. I have a better understanding now of what is going on inside my body when heart starts jumping around... and what I might be able to do to reduce that.

[Jay10]

Thanks Kim, just ordered the A Fib cure.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Jay10]

I think you'll enjoy it!

[Auriculaire]

One cannot emphasise enough the enormous damage the dermatology lobby has done over the past decades. The insistence for years on how the sun was dangerous and how it was necessary to smear ourselves with noxious chemical creams before stepping outside has probably contributed a lot to the epidemic of vit D deficiency. They were supported financially by the likes of l'Oreal . Now more sensible advice on sun exposure is starting to come through but it will be years before the damage is rectified.

[PlanetaryKim]

Thanks! I didn't know about this. He's got a whole chapter on arrhythmia and a second on afib! And the whole book is online. Thanks for sharing. Going to read those 2 chapters today.

[CDreamer in reply to PlanetaryKim]

I think that book was written some time ago, your 2005 book would be more updated. I followed Dr Sinatra for a while as what he said made a lot of sense to me, especially after I had researched Mitrochondria dysfunction. He still blogs though and I still follow the website as I really like a lot of the recipes he puts up. I think you may already be aware of the site but in case not heartmdinstitute.com/heart-...

[PlanetaryKim in reply to CDreamer]

I forgot about his website. Thank you! Lots of good articles there.

[Tryfan]

Thank you. Perhaps you could critique the Afib cure once you have had time to digest it.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Tryfan]

I'll try to do that. Sounds like a number of other people have also just ordered that particular book. So maybe we will get multiple reviews of it. !

[MrFizz]

What is very interesting is in the pdf, as Ive just had cardioversion is that the success of staying out of AF in the first week is much higher if take vitamin c tablets daily ie 4.5% vs 36% chance of reverting if dont take vitamin c daily; I just took a tablet! The pdf says NEVER miss a vitamin c tablet!

Thanx for the pdf reference.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to MrFizz]

Very important piece of information!

[Elli86]

Got the afib cure on audible yesterday after Ian recommended. 4 hours in already 🤣 great book so far. Very informative and gives you a very positive outlook on lifestyle with the condition. Hopefully have it read by Tuesday 😃👍 great book 100% recommend

[Pigleywigley]

Restart your Heart is also a great book by Aseem Desai was the first book I read after diagnosis last year & im so glad I did. Waiting for my Amazon delivery of the John Day book, I’ve just read his longevity plan - brilliant! Thanks for the offer recommendations will look at them too. I feel like you the more informed I am the more I feel calm & in control.

😌

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Pigleywigley]

I'll look for Restart Your Heart. I had not heard of that one.

[Figbar]

I am looking forward to reading these books.Best!