Like more than 6 million other people, I suffer from Atrial Fibrillation… otherwise known as AFib.
The purpose of and inspiration for this blog site is provide information, support and hope for fellow suffers of AFib who wish to deal with their condition through diet, exercise, nutrition and other natural / holistic means and avoid having to have an invasive procedure to attempt to correct their irregular heart rhythm.
In July 2013 I was diagnosed with chronic stress induced cardiac arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation… Ultimately, this was my body’s way of telling me that 26 years of using stress, adrenaline, anxiety and caffeine to be better at my job was bad for me.
This diagnosis, and everything that has followed since, has ultimately been a strange blessing in my life.
After a battery of diagnostic tests over a period of a few weeks, the paths of treatment were laid out for me, with the primary recommendation being a cardiac ablation for my AFib.
At some deep inner level, I could not bring myself to consider the intentional creation of scar tissue on my heart in the hope of disrupting my irregular heart beat. While I was in pretty bad shape (I’ll get into that in another post), the testing I underwent gave me some good news… that there was no structural damage to my heart or its valves. It had become weak, and strained, and inflamed, and enlarged, an my Ejection Fraction (EF) was scary bad, but once I found out that my heart was not damaged, and could heal, I chose my own path.
This path I was chose to follow (well actually blaze, because I couldn’t find one that already existed to follow), was a radical reinvention of who I was and how I operated, what I did, what I ate, how I slept and how I processed the world around me.
I consumed everything I could read on the subject…. articles, websites, posts, medical studies on the results of nutritional support for all elements of my cardiac health and recovery, etc. There was some helpful information out there, but not enough. The last 36 months for me have been a work in progress, a well-intentioned experiment, if you will, with me as the test subject.
AFib is a scary diagnosis… make no mistake. Being symptomatic with AFib is worse. Feeling your heart trying to climb out of your chest… feeling weak, unstable, light-headed,
I may not be able to avoid having an invasive procedure forever, but I can try, and if I can put it off for another 10 or 15 years and live a HIGH QUALITY LIFE in the meantime, then perhaps the procedure will evolve, become more refined, and have a much higher initial success rate than it currently does.
My cardiologist, my electrophysiologist and my PCP are all blown away by my results and what I have been able to do. I am now off all medications except the anti-arrhythmic drug I take (no side effects at all with that), I am NOT in AFib, and am now scheduled to see my cardiologist and electrophysiologist annually, not twice a year or more.
I am not a doctor, nor make no claims of any kind. I don’t promise to cure or heal. But I do know what I have done for myself in the last 36 months, I know how I feel, I know what my doctors think, and I know what the people around me think. I know that the quality of my life is now completely amazing. While I don’t run marathons or do triathlons, but I can push myself hard during daily workouts and my energy levels (and libido) are back to what they were when I was 26. Not bad for a previously shattered and burned out 52 year old.
Please join me on this journey to AFib Health, Wellness & Fitness and let me show you what I have done to not only manage and control our condition, but to reclaim (and enhance) the quality of my life, and to begin living it better than ever.
Thank you for your passion on this subject. Being introduced to facts on new things I never researched before enriches my life. I knew nothing about A Fib before this. You are a true expert in your field David.
I love your inspiring story David! Thank you for sharing it here. I am looking forward to learning more about A Fib, your health regimen and how I may be able to apply your techniques.
I’m a firm believer in the holistic approach to health. While medications may be an important part of treatment for specific issues, treating your body well is the best thing to do in the first place.
Awesome personal story, David! How you responded to your news regarding A-Fib and how you’ve been able to thus far stave off having to have an invasive procedure is truly inspiring. You grabbed the “bull by the horns”, so to speak, and blazed your own path to ever increasing improved health and fitness. So much so, that you’re blowing away your cardiologist, electrophysiologist! Can’t wait to hear more!
This story really touched me David! I dated a man with A-Fib and it was a very interesting process and gave a whole new set of challenges in his life. While he eventually found aligned health, I had no idea that so many suffered from this. Thank you for the enlightening blog and I look forward to see how you made your progress through fitness and strategy!
I have come to a point in my life and career where I feel that my fitness and wellness can no longer take a backseat if I am to continue doing what I am doing. Thank you for raising awareness on the topic of A Fib or Atrial Fibrillation.
Awesome Story! It’s becoming a realization in our society that not taking care of ourselves can lead to chronic issues, like A Fib, but you can reverse things. Bringing fitness and nutrition into the picture should be the first steps people take to reclaim their health, and you my friend are leading the way!
Great post! I had never heard of A Fib as a condition before – this was so informative. Looking forward to seeing how you’ve managed with holistic methods and exercise to blow your cardiologist away!
Positivity and self-resolve goes a long way in the self-healing process. I cannot wait to hear about the progression of your atrial fibrillation and taking your health into your own hands!
Thank you for sharing your story! I am looking forward to your journey ahead and glad that you are taking your own path. You are one step closer to healing yourself. Namaste!
David, my father suffered from A-fib as well. Thank you for sharing your journey and experience. I know what it means to suffer through a high-stress corporate job, and the health issues it can cause. I look forward to more insights on A-Fib and how you’ve learned to cope with it. Great article!
Great work David. I was diagnosed with a mitral valve defect last year, probably for the same reasons as you. Only recently have I made the decision to start putting my health first. Looking forward to reading your stuff along the journey
The wife and I really love this blog and appreciate the useful information you provide. We would like to encourage you to keep writing and never abandon this blog. When you decide to have a mobile app version, I would love to be of service. I appreciate the hard work you have put into this blog and wish you all future success in business and in life.
Thank you for your time, it is the most precious thing we all possess.
-Jacque’
Jacque, thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words! After a demanding end to the year, I will be coming back with renewed energy and lots of new content. I’ll reach out to you when I am ready to move towards an app (the wheels are always turning, right?). Happy New Year, Jacque… Namaste.
David, I just made the same division about ablation that you did and I came across your blog looking for others who can share their tips on living with a fib. I look forward to your input. Larry.