Mitral Valf Prolapse and Gilbert's Syndrome

Hi everybody,

Let me summarize my story. I live in Europe. male (37), ectomorph, I do not smoke nor drink alcohol. I liked to make sport. Even in the mornings couple of minutes were reserved for gym. No known health problem. One day afternoon after meal, I felt sluggish and thought it is reletad to heavy meal and visited to company doctor for any digestive supplement. Once he checked me, he said that my heart beats were irregular and advised me to visit a cardiologist. I was shocked. I have been diagnosed with Afib in May 2013 (age 35). My EP told me there was no underlying reason, my blood tests were normal and my echo was ok. He detected only two disorders one of them was Mitral Valf Prolapse and the other is Gilbert's Syndrome. But he added there was no direct link with Afib. Then he prescribed me 100mgX2 Flecainide together with 100mg aspirin daily. Flecainide helped me to control episodes in terms of frequency and duration. However it made me weak. I could not continue my active life-style. Then I started my research on the web for LAF and underlying reasons. Since then I have been following afibbers.net and couple of other forums.

In order to get rid of Flec I have tried to eat banana and almond for Potassium and Magnesium. I have been taking oral 365 mg. Magnesium daily. I have tried to use Taurine, L-carnitine, CoQ10, Multivitamin suppIements, ginger, garlic, paleo diet. All of them helped quite but not enough to get rid of Flec. When I decreased the Flec. dosage, I felt Afib and ectopic beats frequently. Then I have decreased carbonhyrate intake, it helped quite but after my body adopts to new eating habit, my condiiton saturates. I tested myself for gluten intolerance by cutting gluten containing foods, nevertheless no positive result.

With Flec, I feel ectopic beats every other day. Mild Afib episodes monthly. My EP suggesting me PVI ablation. After using 20 months of Flec and trying most of the suggestions in the internet, I am thinking Ablation seriously. I coulnd not find any other alternative. Before going ablation, do you think I should try some other supplement or eating habit?

Tun - Welcome.

It's known that Mitral Valve Prolapse can cause the Arrhythmia and it would be important for you to learn the extent of the MVP to determine if there is a need at this point in time for surgical repair.

Where do you live in Europe? Might it be possible for you to have a consultation with at the Cardio-Thoracic Research Center in Bordeaux, France?

As for the supplements and dietary changes... all good. You should be gluten and wheat free permanently to see any significant overall changes as that type of diet will help give your liver relief from the Gilbert's syndrome. However, if the valve involvement is such that it continually stimulates the arrhythmia, you need to know more about the prolapse.

The magnesium and potassium certainly are essential and supportive nutrients for overall heart health regardless of the arrhythmia problem, and it's also important to watch your sodium (salt) intake so that your potassium to sodium ration is at a minimum 4:1.

Here's a link on MVP - there are many more Google search results
[www.webmd.com]

I'm hopeful that others with personal experience with the MVP and arrhythmia will be reading and will offer suggestions.

I wish you well,
Jackie

Thank you Jackie for your comments.
I live in Cyprus (Island in Mediteranean Sea). It is not easy for me to go France for a while. I would like to add an information that I have forgotten to write, my blood pressure is low (6,5-10,5). could be a relation with the low blood pressure and Afib?
Regards
Tun

Tun,
As Jackie said there is strong correlation between mitral valve prolapse (MVP)and atrial fibrillation and this depends on the extent or degree of MVP and this can be determined by a competent cardiologist or thoracic surgeon preferably in a cardiac center. You can go to the university clinic in your country to find the best specialists.
It is not advisable to do an ablation before knowing the root of the problem which in your case can be the MVP which in turn can be repaired surgically .
I don’t think that supplements will be of great help to you right now if the main culprit is not addressed. Both atrial fibrillation and MVP can cause low blood pressure.
Best wishes.

Ben saif