Whelehans Health Blog

Atrial fibrillation Treatment Part 3   Other options to maintain sinus rhythm   Other options may be considered if cardioversion or anti-arrhythmic drugs are not successful or if side effects from medication are a problem   Cardiac Ablation Cardiac ablation involves the using small burns or freezes to create scarring on the inside of the heart to prevent conduction of abnormal electrical signals travelling from the atria to the ventricles. An ablation involves inserting and threading a small catheter via blood vessels in the groin to the heart either to administer small burns to heart tissue using radiofrequency energy or...

Atrial fibrillation Treatment Part 2   Cardioversion If AF is recent or causing severe symptoms a cardioversion is a good option to reinstate normal heart rhythm. A cardioversion involves using a small electric shock through electrodes (patches or paddles) placed on the chest while the patient in under a general anaesthetic. The electrodes are connected to defibrillator which delivers shocks in a controlled manor to the chest.   Risks from cardioversion As blood clots may develop within the atria due to slow or less consistent blood slow due to AF, a risk from cardioversion is that a thrombus (blood clot) breaks...

Atrial fibrillation Treatment Part 1   I discussed causes and symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in previous weeks in this column.   Aims of AF management are to: Relieve symptoms, such as palpitations, tiredness, dizziness, and breathlessness Prevent serious complications, such as stroke and CHF Regulate heart rate Treat the cause of AF where identifiable   Medication   Medication used to slow the heart rate include: Beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol) Digoxin Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) (e.g.) verapamil, diltiazem Amiodarone (less often used due to risk of side effects)   Beta blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol are used to control...

Non – medical CBD Cannabidiol A cannabis derivative Part 3   FSAI survey of CBD products on the Irish Market In February 2020, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) published results of their own survey of 38 CBD products for sale throughout Ireland. This survey was enabled by a newly accredited laboratory in Ireland to test products effectively. The summary of the main findings of this FSAI survey was: 37% (14/38) of the products tested had levels of THC that if consumed at the maximum stated dosage could significantly exceed the safe limit set by EFSA of 1µg/kg/body weight/per...

Non – medical CBD Cannabidiol A cannabis derivative Part 2   Enhanced regulation for CBD products  The position of CBD products available for sale in Ireland has now changed. The FSAI, in line with EC regulation has put in place a range of measures, enforceable through Environmental Health inspection, designed to ensure the integrity of CBD products both in terms of any claims made and the accurate description of contents through approved labelling. This oversight will benefit the consumer by ensuring at least a minimum standard for every CBD based product for sale in the Irish market. CBD products now...