The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Magnesium
Posted by Jackie (Cape Coral, FL, USA) on 12/19/2008
★★★★★
Magnesium for heart palpitations/panic attacks: I thank God for this site. I was having scary heart palpitations at night, and I knew it was panic attacks. The only course my doc offered was xanax, and as I was rushed through the visit there was no time to talk alternatives. I am not one of those people who thinks happiness is a pill away. I did my own research, and decided to try a magnesium supplement. The FIRST NIGHT I was heart palpitation-free. I can't believe doctors would rather throw a dangerous pill at you rather than discuss the effects of diet, exercise, and soda (caffeine&aspatame) on your body. Try Magnesium first, and make sure you are getting your potassium too!
Molasses
Posted by Judy (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 11/06/2008
★★★★★
I just turned 41 & have started feeling the grips of hormonal changes along with having a history of huge fibroids. I had 5 lbs of fibroids removed last yr in a robotic surgery that went terrifically & preserved my fertility :) I still want to have children & decided to take a natural, active involvement in my health. I have always worked out religiously since I was 15 so I've been in great shape & been able to tolerate the pain of those fibroids. But at age 41 I was finding that I no longer could run on the junk food that I liked to eat & was lacking energy along with not having a normal cycle. I wanted so much to have a normal cycle without the complications of a birth control pill. ACV gave me that :) But I was also dealing with more heart palpitations that I just couldn't control with my diet & vitamin taking. Yesterday, it was really getting in my way of life so I ran out & got the molasses. And I'm so happy to report that it made those nasty heart palpitations go away, gave me energy to go play tennis that evening ( in fact, I was burning the court with my energetic plays) & is helping my chronic constipation. I've gone to the bathroom 3 times since last evening to this morning and that's simply wonderful!!! I urge everyone to try ACV & molasses ~ they are TERRIFIC!!!!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Crista (Pekin, Illinois) on 10/20/2008
One thing about heart palpitations that was mentioned in the definition in the begining is that they can come from anti-depressants. I was on anti-anxiety pills and was not told by my doctor that they were addictive. They said take up to this many a day as needed for anxiety. I took them for about a week on a regular basis, and the when I was feeling fine I didn't take them. I ended up calling an ambulance that night because I thought I was having a heart attack at the age of 27. So by the time I got to the hospital my paliptations had stopped and they just said to take my medicine as prescribed. I looked more information up about my medicine and realized that the withdrawal symptoms of any drug that has benzodiazapines in them is heart palpitations and other. Because I took these for only a week I was addicted and had to take several months to withdrawal off of it slowly so I would not go through the palpitations again. The website with the withdrawal chart was in a manual written by a UK woman doctor. It is on a UK website.
I talked with my doctor telling them I wanted off and told them the steps I was taking. They were ok with it and just said that if I had problems to call and they could help. They also suggested getting on something else after I was done withdrawing from this one. To finally get off I actually had to be put on a different anti-anxiety pill because I could not take the week where I had to come off all the way. These drugs are very scary to me, but may be needed by some. If you have palpitations though see if you are on this type of drug first to see if it could be the cause of this issue. Unfortunately I didn't try any herbal remedies because I had not thought of it yet. I love this website and plan on using it for many things.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Marinette (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) on 10/19/2008
This is in reply to Ron B. I have had problems with heart palpitations in the past, and had very good success with Peppermint tea. The tea is also very good for digestion and possibly the palpitations are linked to faulty digestion. You mentioned also that you suspect an overly acid system might cause this. I suffer from this also, and take DeSouza's Liquid Chlorophyll which helps a lot. Chlorophyll is great for alkalizing the body. Any brand would probably work, but I notice other brands have added ingredients besides the chlorophyll that I would rather not take. I cannot take ACV because I become too acid from it. You mentioned also that you take a lot of supplements. I would go off of everything and just try the peppermint tea, at least 2 cups a day. Also, 1 tablespoon of the chlorophyll in an 8 oz. glass of water once a day. Also, an excellent remedy for nerves is liquid Celery Seed Extract. You can put 12 or more drops of this in the peppermint tea if you feel that nerves are also linked to the palpitations. I suggest going off of everything you are taking now while trying the peppermint tea, liquid chlorophyll and liquid celery seed extract. Something you are taking might be causing the palpitations to be worse. Once you feel better, you can always introduce the supplements back slowly. I hope this helps you, Ron.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by RON B. (TAVERNIER, FL) on 10/16/2008
IN 1985 I HAVE MY FIRST PALPITATIONS. I WENT TO THE EMERCENCY ROOM AND THE DOCTOR KIND OF BRUSHED IT OFF AND THAT WAS THAT, IT WENT AWAY. IN 1986 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT WHICH TIME I TOOK MY CIGARETTES AND TOSSED THEM OUT THE WINDOW DONE FOREVER. THE PALPITAIONS CAME ON AT CERTAIN TIMES THEN WENT AWAY AND I THOUGHT LITTLE OF THEM. IN 1995 THEY GOT WORSE AND I HAD A MONITOR PLACED ON ME AND THE DOCTOR WAS NO HELP.IN 1996 I GOT THEM REAL BAD AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND BECAUSE I HAD INSURANCE I WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH WIRES GOING TO THE NURSE STATION. I WAS RELEASED BUT WITH NO INFORMATION OTHER THAN SOME DANGEROUS MEDICATION WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT WAS VERY BAD. I HAVE SINCE FOUND THERE IS LITTLE THAT THE MODERN MEDICAL INDUSTY CAN DO OTHER THAN TAKE YOUR MONEY AND FEED YOU DANGEROUS DRUGS.AFTER A COUPLE MORE TIMES IN THE HOSPITAL AND ALMOST HAVING A STROKE TWICE I HAVE REALIZED I AM THE MASTER OF MY BODY AND NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THE MDS ARE CLUELESS. MY CONDITION NOW IS CHRONIC I HAVE PALPITAIONS ALL DAY EVERY DAY. I TAKE ACV,MASSES OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS,WAS TOLD THE ADRENALS CAN HAVE AN AFFECT SO I AM WORKING ON THE ADRENALS. MY NEXT STEP IS JUICE FASTING WITH MINERAL AND VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS AS WELL AS A COLON CLEANSE, A LIVER CLEANSE, AND A KIDNEY CLEANSE. I SUSPECT THE ADRENAL CONNECTION, I ALSO SUSPECT POSSIBLY A PARASITE OR CANDIDA CONNECTION AND OVER ACID BODY.I AM GOING ON A TOTAL RAW FOOD DIET AND ELIMINATING EVERY THING CAN POSSIBLE BE A SOURCE OF THE PALPITATIONS. ALL THESE THINGS I AM WORKING ON IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. TOO BAD OUR SO CALLED MEDICAL INDUSTRY IS SO CLUELESS AND EXPENSIVE.IT SEEMS THAT THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY CAN BE INCOMPETENT AS WELL AS PROFITABLE. I DID A HAIR SAMPLE MINERAL TEST AND FOUND I WAS HIGH IN ALUMINUM CADMIUM, AND OTHER DANGEROUS METALS THAT MAY BE AFFECTING THE ABSORBSION OF GOOD MINERALS. I WAS LOW IN CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND OTHER MINERALS EVEN THOUGH I SUPPLEMENT WITH QUALITY MINERALS. I NOW ALSO DO THE CHELATION TO RID MY BODY OF THE BAD METALS. I AM WORKING HARD ON THIS AND AM DETERMINED TO ADDRESS THE TRUE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM.
Reader Warning
Posted by Alex (Aventura, FL) on 09/29/2008
ever thought of uncloging your tubes with oral chelation, hydrogen peroxide food grade etc..
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joan (Palo Alto, CA) on 08/17/2008
Hi, Debra. If you drink caffeine, you might want to come off it as soon as possible. Give it a couple of weeks before you introduce it back into your system. I get terrible heart palpitations whenever I drink coffee. Tea is okay, as long as it is diluted. Also, be careful with preservatives in food and artificial sweeteners like sucralose. These too can cause heart palps. I also read somewhere (Earth Clinic?) that corn syrup might cause irregular heart beats. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Debra (Sligo, IRELAND) on 08/15/2008
Hi, debra here from ireland,thanks very much for everyones advice.i have tryed apple cider vinegar but i had to stop taking it as it makes me feel sick. today i started taking a tablet called magnesiam ok its got magnesium and potassium and lots of vitiams in it so i hope this helps my heart as palpitations are pretty bad this week.hope something works for you kimberly. i let you no if the magnesium works (fingers crossed).any more advice would be great. thanks, debra.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Anna (kahului, hawaii) on 07/02/2007
I read all of the information and people feedbacks on your web site. Now TED is saying only hydrogenated coconut oil will cause heart palpitations etc. That is so NOT true! I took virgin coconut oil for one week and my heart started to race. Please watch what you advise people.
Molasses
Posted by Renee (El Dorado, Kansas) on 06/07/2007
★★★★★
I too found Molasses an instant treatment for my heart problem. Every night my heart has a delayed beat (confirmed with overnight monitor) but doctor gave me no treatment beyond giving up caffiene. While that helps, it doesn't totally eliminate it and I admit no caffiene is difficult for me.
After the first day of 2 Tbls Molasses, I sleep through the night with no problems. And this is such a relief as it really is extremely scarey to awaken to no heart beat, over and over and over.
Molasses
Posted by Renee (El Dorado, Kansas) on 07/02/2007
★★★★★
Just finished my second "normal" period thanks to BSM. Fairly certain that any fibroids are reducing in size as the pressure I've been feeling in a couple of places is now much less... but still there somewhat. Plus, 99% reduction in heart palpatations - and they were bad ones, very scarey.
Molasses
Posted by A.C. (West Midlands, England, United Kingdom) on 03/11/2008
★★★★★
I've been taking a tablespoon of BSM daily for Heart Palpitations (which worked by the way). When cutting my nails yesterday, I noticed that the white, half moons at the base of my nails (I've forgotten the name for these) reduced in size by half within one week! I'm completely amazed! I heard these were due to mineral deficiency but I'd been taking supplements and had just given up. Thanks Earth Clinic!
Molasses
Posted by Wilma (Murrieta, CA) on 03/11/2008
★★★★★
I am 37, and my Grandfather used to give me BSM when I was younger. I have returned to using it since I have heart paplpitations and dizziness due to very low iron. I feel much better, and as one reader stated "the moons are back in her fingernails" so are mine.
I also drink Tonic Water around the cold/flu season to divert an oncoming cold.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
★★★★★
Dear Hank: Apple cider vinegar (with appropriate buffers such as bicarbonate or baking soda) removes the body of lactic acid, which in excess kills the cells and causes heart problems.
Yes, yogurt causes heart palpitations because it has lactic acid. Lactic acid is peculiarly toxic to the cell's mitochrondria. Atheletes dread lactic acid buildup and wish one day they can rid of them. Well there is a remedy, it is the acetates (and can come from apple cider vinegar and the side effects are also reduced with citrates - from lemon and bicarbonates).
As a student when I studied biochemistry I would cringe at the idea of lactic acid. If I do a cell cultures, and use lactic acid as a pH to adjust to ideal biological conditions, the cell cultures would immediately die. This is a well known fact.
Since the heart is the source of constant energy, mitochrondrial health is extremely important. Lactic acid buildup intracellulary is dangerous, and this is why athletes have short lives - from long lactic acidosis causing muscular fatigue, thus heart attack is frequent.
In my opinion, magnesium acetate and potassium acetate are an ideal form, and this is found best whenever apple cider vinegar and baking soda is added. May I dare say that apple cider vinegar and baking soda is a food for the heart.
The other issue is the calcium buildup which causes the cells to function improperly. Usually a citrates, found in 8 teaspoons of lime juice (or lemon) plus 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda is taken reduces the serum calcium buildup which clogs the cells. This should also help.
The best detoxification of lactic acid is either sodium acetate, potassium acetate, magnesium acetate. These acetate forms are found whenever apple cider vinegar is taken, in any brand, and it is reacted with the body's bicarbonates to neutralize and convert to acetate. The cells use the acetate to rid the body of lactic acid. The problem about ridding the intracellular is half of the problem. The other is the body needs to neutralize the acid extracellularly also, which I think is best handled with baking soda and citrates (lemon juice). I remember that whenever a person has a heart attack, they use Harvey Teams (in hospitals) to inject a large syringe of baking soda. This is a quick remedy, but not a complete one. Acetates, magnesium, potassium, and bicarbonates is the preferred remedy to use, in my opinion anyway.
I recently have a friend who came to visit me one day and told me her heart had a terrible heart palpitations that she would nearly faint and breathing becomes a problem. I knew it was a simple electrolytic imbalance. After taking 1/16 teaspoon of potassium citrate, 1/16 sea salt, 1/16 teaspoon of magnesium chloride, and some sodium citrate, the conditions stopped within minutes and never came back.
People never realize that these electrolytes are the power cells that gives cells their electrical energy. In the olden days, they use salt with a cardboard in layers to create electricity (Alessandro Volta). If you have a multimeter, most salt solutions do have electricity. Usually it is about 1/2 volts, in case you are wondering. Just imagine what happens if the body's electrolytes are imbalance or lacking, the heart needs electrical energy for normal heart beat too.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hank (Florida) on 04/15/2007
★★★★★
ACV for acid reflux(heart palpitations)...I started having heart palpitations last October and went to my family doctor who referred me to a cardiologist who did a stress test and an echocardiogram and put me on a heart monitor for a month. He then referred me to an electrocardiologist for possible pacemaker. This Dr. referred me to a sleep clinic for sleep apnea. I now have a cpap machine, for sleep apnea but the palpitations were still coming quite frequently. I'm not sure the cpap machine is the answer unless that is something else that is going on, but unrelated. Out of desperation, I went to the internet and started doing some 'research' and found your web site. This is my 4th day on _____s apple cider vinegar and the palpitations have all but stopped, except last night I decided to try some plain vanilla yogurt which I thought would have a soothing effect. The palpitations started almost immediately and quite severe after eating the yogurt. I took another glass of water with 2 tablespoons of ACV and the palpitations stopped! Do you have any idea why the yogurt would cause this? Needless to say, I am very amazed at the effectiveness of ACV. Hopefully, the effects will last. What caused my reflux? I had taken ibuprofen for several years for back pain and have been on Tramadol(generic Ultram, which I was on before the generic came out) for several years. I definitely believe these drugs have caused a train wreck in my stomach. I am also on Zocor for cholesterol and Altace for blood pressure. Before the back pain(degenerative disc), I was a runner and had none of this although I did take ibuprofen some of the time during my running days. So far, I am looking at ACV as a miracle. Thanks so much!
Vitamins B1, B6 and B12
Posted by James (Seattle, Washington) on 06/26/2007
★★★★★
Lugol's
iodine caused my heart to palpitate (and not in a good way; the bad way). So I thought no more Lugol's. I felt bad because I read the health benefits on this site and others and I could not take even one drop. Then while researching fatty acid metabolism I found that you use a lot of vitamin B-1, B-6 and B-12. All the of these B's have heart palpitations as a sign of their deficiencies. So I took all three. Now I can take Lugol's. Yeah!
Also selenium and zinc deficiencies can cause heart palpitations. So if you can't take iodine because of the heart quivers you might have a deficiency you need to correct first.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Kel (St. louis, Missouri) on 09/28/2007
★★★★★
I have suffered from heart palpitations for years and just recently discovered they are triggered by artificail sweetners.
Reader Warning
Posted by Pat (Burlington, Vermont) on 07/10/2007
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Although many of you believe you have been cured of angina by taking garlic and flaxseed, I am afraid that is is not true and you are in a dangerous situation. These supplements are very useful and strong if used correctly...as prevention. However, they cannot unclog arteries. Please be good to yourself and reasonable. Use all available treatments and advice together! There are plenty of wonderful cardiologists who have a holistic approach.
Potassium and Magnesium Citrate Electrolyte Solution
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 11/28/2007 392 posts
Thanks for the feedback!
I know the best remedy is to avoid sugar and alcohol all together.
Yes, in case the sugar is unavoidable, take plenty of water, such as one full glass. For example if one glass of solution contains 10% sugar, taken an extra glass of water would reduce the sugar concentration by 5%. A sugar level of 2% is generally benign and 5% is tolerable over the short run, but not recommended which is about the same as the concentration of urine sugar in a healthy individual.
Most problems of the heart is the electrolyte imbalance. In one instance when nothing can be found, a simple sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon is helpful too. Sometimes I found a heart palpitation is initiated by a long term low grade fever from cavities in the teeth of all places. In case of a low grade fever and a low level septicemia, frequently an aspirin 250 mg dissolve in 1/2 glass of water, will digest the low grade fever once the aspirin dissolved in water reaches the blood stream.
As a footnote, a famous comedian, Paul Lynde, who was a regular at Hollywood Squares and Bewitched died of a heart attack in 1982. His heart looked like an 80 year old man even though he died at the age of 56. The reason was the alcohol he drinks excessively. Alcohol tends to destroy the liver function and the nutrients in the liver could not supply food for the heart to beat, and this destroys the heart.
To further support heart function, 1 tablespoon of granulated lecithin will help and some weekly dose of vitamin B50 complex and vitamin C sodium ascorbate. It SHOULD BE noted that the most frequent deficiency I seen is the electrolyte, vitamin B50 and vitamin C, all these are water soluble and all these are related to heart problems. It is no wonder why people have heart attack, water soluble nutrients get depleted fairly quickly and we get deficient just as fast.
Drinking alcohol may also increase the free radical iron, and a green tea with no sugar and no milk will bind most of the free metal iron that tends to accumulate in the heart.
Still, electrolyte solution is still the best for most heart palpitation problems. The major electrolytes that is important is sea salt, magnesium, and potassium. The use of citrate is important to alkalize the body and permit healing.
Potassium and Magnesium Citrate Electrolyte Solution
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 11/24/2007 490 posts
To June from Ks (ll/23/07) google MSG, aspartame-read unwanted side effects of both- make a list of names they hide them under & then go to your kitchen and look for them in the ingredients in the foods you are eating. Trying to get rid of them isn;t easy. My niece says it takes her 4 hours longer to grocery shop now that she is looking for them in the ingredients before she buys foods containing them.
Potassium and Magnesium Citrate Electrolyte Solution
Posted by June (Ks, Ks) on 11/23/2007
★★★★★
I have read in several different places Ted's recommendations for taking potassium citrate and magnesium citrate for a variety of problems. The latest was a cure/prevention for heart palpitations. I've suffered from heart palpitations (HP) for 10 years. The severity of the palpitations has varied over the years but lately, for some reason, they had become extremely troublesome.
This problem runs on my mother's side of the family and I know my mother and her sister's solution has been to take prescription drugs, regardless of their serious side effects. The Rx approach has never worked for me so I am always looking for alternative remedies. I had used hawthorn to treat my heart issue and avoiding sugar and alcohol are also important. But lately nothing was working. I have taken CoQ10 in the past, but it is very expensive and difficult to take continuously because of the price.
Finally, I came back to earthclinic to do some further research and read where Ted said he had treated a woman with HP using potassium and magnesium citrates to replace electrolytes. I had already searched for these products from my supplement companies I use and could not find them and was wondering how to replace my electrolytes without drinking the sugary sports drinks that claim to replace electrolytes. I found the solution at a local pharmacy this week where I had gone to purchase iodine (another home remedy suggested here). I happened upon a $4 bottle of generic brand pediatric electrolyte solution used for preventing dehydration. The ingredients include: water, dextrose, citric acid, potassium citrate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate and benzoic acid. It's the closest product I could find to Ted's recipe. I figured I would give it a shot.
The result has been very positive. My HP almost immediately ceased upon taking the first dose. I've only had a few mild palpitations since I began taking the product 3 days ago. Even though I had several (mildly sweet) desserts during the Thanksgiving holiday (and two beers) I did not have the normal reaction of terrible HP that I could have previously expected before taking the electrolyte solution.
I know the best remedy is to avoid sugar and alcohol all together. And while I closely monitor my intake of those items it's not realistic for me to give them up completely. I will always want to enjoy a dessert on occasion and a beer once in a while.
I do hope the electrolyte solution continues to work for me. The taste is not unpleasant and is of citrus. It seems like there is only enough dextrose to make it palatable. There were two bottles to choose from, one was clear and the other was colored orange and contained acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener I try to avoid. I chose the clear product.
I hope this information helps someone else. And thanks to Ted for the suggestion on an electrolyte cure for HP!
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Sandra (Roseville, Calif)
★★★★★
I've gotten into the habit of eating sugar-free jelly beans, I have been popping them' into my mouth all day thinking they were fine to eat because they were sugar-free. I started to notice I was having heart palpitations.I have never connected eating the candy with this annoying condtion and have stopped doing so.Palpitations have now ended.