It’s not uncommon to wonder how a supposedly lifesaving medicine can be developed, yet its side effects are as harmful as the condition it was designed to treat. This is an important point, especially if you’re one of the over 3 million people diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia every year. The medication you use to treat your irregular heart rhythm or blood clots could be causing you brain damage.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent type of arrhythmia, and one in ten people in the U.S. will develop it during their lifetime. It is not only widespread but also serious. AF may lead to blood clots, heart failure, stroke, or other complications.
Moreover, you can have AF without experiencing noticeable symptoms. However, if you do develop symptoms, they can include chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, or exercise intolerance. Conventional medicine usually aims to help you stabilize your heartbeat with prescription medication. However, this course of action may worsen your health, especially if you’re prescribed the blood thinner warfarin.
The Connection Between Warfarin and Dementia
Recent research suggests that people who take warfarin to treat their AF might be damaging their brain health instead of fixing their heart health. Warfarin has been linked to the development of dementia.
The Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City discovered that using warfarin as a long-term treatment for atrial fibrillation increases your risk of developing all forms of dementia. Strangely enough, the dementia risk is higher for those under 70 years old.
Did You Know?
Researchers have known that atrial fibrillation increases your dementia risk for a while now, but the information may not have been conveyed to patients. In 2014, researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that individuals with AF who took warfarin were up to 4.5 times more likely to develop dementia.
The risk is especially high when patients take too little or too much warfarin for an extended period. In effect, years of improper dosage can lead to brain damage.
Is Warfarin Like Russian Roulette for Your Brain Health?
Taking warfarin may feel like playing Russian roulette with your brain health. If your doctor repeatedly prescribes you a dose that’s slightly off, it could cause irreversible damage to your brain.
So, what do you do if you have AF and want to avoid the chance of developing dementia? Consult a qualified natural or alternative health practitioner to discuss safer treatment options.
Consider Yoga as a Treatment Option
You may even want to think about practicing yoga. Swedish researchers tested yoga against AF and found that the group that did yoga fared significantly better than the group that did not after 12 weeks. The yoga group experienced greater mental health scores, lower heart rates, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than the control group.
Prevention is Key
Ideally, you can prevent the challenges of AF by focusing on a healthy lifestyle. There are actions you can take to prevent the development of atrial fibrillation, as with other forms of heart disease. If you eat well, exercise, avoid smoking, maintain a healthy blood pressure, and keep a healthy body weight, you’ll increase your chances of maintaining your heart health well into old age.
But whatever you do, don’t just take the medicine your doctor prescribes without question. Atrial fibrillation is not to be taken lightly — but neither is dementia. Make sure you’re aware of your options before committing to a treatment plan.
