Fasting with Congestive Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation

(Tom Seest) #1

For those of you that don’t know my story, I used to be a very large man. While I don’t know my exact weight, I know that I lost a significant portion of weight until I dropped below 500 pounds and could weigh. You can hear more about my weight lost story on this podcast, if you’re really bored: http://2ketodudes.com/show.aspx?episode=14

In December of last year, I managed to get pneumonia, and it subsequently managed to damage my heart and give me Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Ventricular Response. I managed, through diet and fasting to reverse the damage that the pneumonia did to my heart, but managed to end up with a Congestive Heart Failure diagnosis in September, to go along with the Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Ventricular Response. You can hear more about that story, in this interview for this episode of the same podcast: http://2ketodudes.com/show.aspx?episode=88

The primary blood test that people with Congestive Heart Failure monitors call BNP, which tells us some things about how the heart is doing. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a small protein secreted by the ventricles of the heart in response to excessive stretching of the heart muscles cells (myocytes). BNP is secreted into the blood when your heart is working hard.

The level of BNP is elevated in people with heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. B-type natriuretic peptide blood levels correlate with both the severity of symptoms and the prognosis in congestive heart failure.

This blood test is a useful marker of heart disease risk, even in people with no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease. High blood levels of BNP predict the risk for heart failure, first cardiovascular events, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.

When I received my heart failure diagnosis in September, my BNP level was 409 (0 to 100 is considered normal). However, through dieting and fasting, I felt like I was getting better.

I recently completed a 6 day water fast with the intention of studying the effects of fasting on BNP, since it is a marker of inflammation similar to Insulin. I had reading done for my BNP, CRP, a Complete Blood Count, and an NMR profile done the day before I began my fast. I then had my BNP, CRP, and CBC taken throughout the fast, and then I had the BNP, CRP, CBC and NMR taken right before I ended the fast on the 6th day. I also had taken my Blood Glucose and Blood Ketone levels measured throughout the fast, along with Blood Pressure and heart rate which I monitor almost 24X7. I also monitor my Heart Rate Variability every day. I entered all of this information, including the results of the blood tests in this spreadsheet:

https://1drv.ms/x/s!AnnheiLCcfWxgcE0qf2dNsbEiD0ysQ

The bottom line is that my BNP went from 141 (low for someone with my conditions) slightly up on the 2nd day of fasting up to 170, and then it went down to 72 on the last day of the fast, which is considered normal. To me; this is completely remarkable. I hope to have time to repeat this test in another week or two, depending on the treatment strategy of my cardiologist. I had an echo cardiogram done today, and he may elect to treat me before I can repeat the experiment.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions that any of you may have, regarding my protocol, etc.

(mike) #2

Tom,

Your story gets more and more amazing. Great job and really appreciate you sharing the results. I think we have much to learn about the power of fasting on the healing process.

(Heidi ) #3

I totally agree Mike, thank you for sharing.

(Heidi ) #4

HI Tom,

Thanks for sharing your experience. Can you recommend any resources for fasting for people with A-fib.

Thanks!
Heidi

(Tom Seest) #5

I’m not sure what type of resources you are looking for here. Oddly enough, they don’t seem to study fasting and A-Fib much.

However, as I come across related science, I’ve been copying them to my Onedrive, which I’ll share with you here: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AnnheiLCcfWxgaQqwrRukCYWBoCkeQ

You’ll see many studies, abstracts, etc, and I add to it on a monthly basis.

I hope this helps.

Are you fasting with A-Fib? It can be challenging.

#6

Hey, Tom! I heard your story a few months back on the episode above. I remember driving down the road into Atlanta and saying"Holy @#%$!" quite a few times as I listened to your personal tale. I am so pleased for you that you have come so far, and thank you for offering support to others. Blessings on your path!

(Tom Seest) #7

Thank you for your kind words.

Oddly enough, I don’t really find the experience that terrifying. It’s more of a major inconvenience. I try to get plenty of sleep, and yet maintain some semblance of a normal life. Hopefully, I’ll continue to improve, and will have good news and a good story to tell.

(Heidi ) #8

Thanks so much for the link!

I’m inquiring for my mom. She has a-fib and type 2 diabetes (non insulin dependent). I’m looking in to ways to safely reverse both conditions. So naturally fasting came up. Ive just got to figure out th ea-fib end of things.

Thanks again for the help.

(Tom Seest) #9

Is her A-Fib constant, or is she in and out? Has she had her serum or RBC levels of potassium or magnesium checked?

I would start there.

(Zack F) #10

Your story is fascinating and inspiring. You’re a man taking charge of his health instead of dumping it on a doctor or ‘system.’ In your worldview the doctors are counselors rather than pilots. I’m looking forward to further updates.

#11

Amazing …

Keep up the good work.

(Tom Seest) #12

So, I just left my appointment with my cardiologist and I have excellent news. My Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (estimate) has improved from 27% to 47% in the last three months and my Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (measured) has gone from 31% to 59%. While my heart function and size are not normal yet, the improvement is considered fantastic…

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(*Rusty* Instagram: @Rustyk61) #13

I was diagnosed with CHF 15 years ago. Is 59% considered in the normal range? Is a normal EF higher?

My cardiologist retired and I saw a new doctor this past November and he said that I didn’t have CHF.

(Ethan) #14

Are they at all sure that this was not an episode of takustubo cardiomyopathy? This sounds VERY similar to what happened to my mother. She is the only known survivor of 4 such attacks.

#15

Congrats on your fabulous progress and results!

(Tom Seest) #16

55% and up are considered normal. But, I don’t know if they go by measured or estimate.

(Tom Seest) #17

Glad your mother is a survivor. I don’t have a match for many of the symptoms of that condition.

(VLC.MD) #18

Rare to see improvements like that.
Congrats.

(Tom Seest) #19

Thanks…

(Ethan) #20

Her first episode (2009) began with a very bad cold/pneumonia. She had an ejection fraction of 20%. They had no idea what was going on. All tests for heart attack were negative. She was intubated for about 10 days during the acute phase. With each attack, the symptoms have been decreasingly severe. With her latest one, she barely knew. She came in and was told her ejection fraction had gone to 25% again. Each time it recovers within a 3 months to near-normal range (45-55%). Usually, it is brought on for her by a severe cold/pneumonia. The pulmonary edema is usually present. There aren’t really any other symptoms than being sick, feeling weak, pulmonary edema/pneumonia, and extreme weakness. In the severe attacks she cannot breathe properly from the edema.

I am not sure which symptoms you saw listed.