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Sympathetic Tone
The sympathetic nervous system (flight or fight) plays an important role in C.A.D. Greater than usual sympathetic tone will increase heart rate and elevate blood pressure. Increased sympathetic activity has often been demonstrated in patients with C.A.D. Increased levels of adrenal medulla hormones, i.e., norepinephrine and epinephrine damage the arterial lining, increase platelet aggregation and increase oxidized cholesterol, all which lead to a faster generation of arthrogenesis. Remember, calcium stimulates sympathetic discharge, whereas, magnesium has antagonistic properties. Therefore, appropriate levels of magnesium and melatonin help to control an imbalanced sympathetic nervous system.
Researchers have demonstrated that patients with C.A.D. have nighttime melatonin levels that are 1/5 lower than healthy controls. Explanatory physiology is likely to be related to increased nighttime sympathetic discharge and the subsequent increase in epinephrine/norepinephrine. Also, melatonin levels could possibly explain why the majority of heart attacks occur in the early morning hours. Melatonin has also been found to inhibit platelet aggregation. Saliva melatonin sampling can be obtained from several laboratories throughout the country.
Table 9 depicts several substances with either ionotropic (increase heart contractibility) or chronotropic (rhythm heart stabilizing) effects on the heart. Regular use of these substances can often augment typical conventional medications of similar nature, i.e., digitalis and antiarrythmics. Several studies have shown magnesium to be an excellent preventative of dysrythmias and can be especially useful in intravenous doses of 2-3 gm in the early stages of heart attack and for several days thereafter. Its use can prevent the serious rhythm disturbances that often accompany myocardial infarction. Long-term use is also suggested since most patients are magnesium deficient. Other studies have determined that the use of coenzyme Q10 in dosages of 300 mg/day one week prior to cardiac surgery improves three-fold the serum levels and tissue levels in the heart of this nutraceutical. This improvement seems to reduce the heart failure associated with low coenzyme Q10. Another study on the usefulness on coenzyme Q10 in clinical cardiology demonstrated large doses over time will reduce overall cardiac medication requirements significantly. (See graphic) Taurine, an amino acid has likewise been shown to have positive cardiac effects and diuretic properties. Hawthorne berry has been used for years by western herbologists as a good ionotropic natural agent.
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