Managing cardiac symptoms

The innate immune system response to microbes results in low-grade, often subclinical inflammation and chronic disease. Its effects can be seen in any part of the body including the heart. Treating chronic infections with the Marshall Protocol (MP) unavoidably results in increased inflammation. While a severe cardiac immunopathological reactionA temporary increase in disease symptoms experiences by Marshall Protocol patients that results from the release of cytokines and endotoxins as disease-causing bacteria are killed. is rare, it has the potential to be life-threatening. Therefore, health care providers are cautioned to be on the alert for cardiac symptoms in all their patients. Also, patients with risk factors should know when seek medical attention.

Physicians and patients anticipating strong cardiac immunopathologyAn exacerbation in symptoms of the heart muscle. Requires careful management by physicians. should also review these documents:

• Managing immunopathology – strategies for reducing immunopathology
• Notice for emergency medical personnel – for health care providers treating a Marshall Protocol patient in an emergency situation
• Hospitals and emergencies - for patients

In the event of a cardiac emergency, call 911, chew a 325mg uncoated aspirin, and lie down so your heart doesn't have to work so hard. If you think you might pass out, try forcing yourself to cough deeply. It changes the pressure in your chest and can have the same effect as the thump given in CPR. Follow your instincts. If you think you need to see a doctor, call an ambulance. A cardiac emergency should not go to the hospital in a car…. you might need help on the way.

If someone goes into cardiac arrest, note that the American Heart Association recommends CPR without the mouth-to-mouth breathing: call 911 and then push hard and fast on the person's chest until help comes.

• Emergency room personnel should know that a patient is on the Marshall Protocol. Please see Notice for Emergency Room personnel.
• It is recommended you print it out and add your personal medical information such as diagnosis and medications with the contact information for the person to notify in case of emergency. Put it in a clear protective folder and keep a copy in a handy place in your home (ER personnel often look on the refrigerator for info) and in the glove compartment of your car. Additional tips for patients are available in the article Hospitals and emergencies - for patients.

Immunopathological reactions can present as chest pain or pressure, left arm pain, jaw pain, increased dyspnea (difficulty breathing), sweating or nausea. Chest pain and pressure can be caused by other structures within the chest wall besides the heart. However, because chest pain and pressure may be due to coronary insufficiency, these symptoms should always be considered an emergency due to possible myocardial infarction unless coronary artery disease has been ruled out recently.

The effects of a stroke can often be reversed if the patient gets medical attention within three hours. Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, this lack of awareness can spell disaster and the stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

A bystander can recognize a possible stroke by asking three simple questions:

1. Ask the individual to smile.
2. Ask the individual to raise both arms
3. Ask the person to speak a simple sentence (For example “It is sunny out today”).

In the United States: if the patient has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

In Australia: if the patient has trouble with any of these tasks, call 000 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Symptoms typical of a heart attack include:

• pain (crushing) or pressure in chest or either arm (often, but not always, radiating down the left arm)
• jaw pain
• increased shortness of breath
• sweating
• nausea
• rhythm disturbance
• sense of impending doom

Note that cardiac immunopathology may mimic myocardial infarction. If the cytokines are released into muscle tissue, for example cardiac muscle, they can weaken that muscle.^{1) 2)} This causes something mimicking myocardial infarction (heart attack), and it may be more common than most physicians suspect. It is believe there has yet to be such a case mimicking myocardial infarction, as the release of cytokines on the MP is controlled, and the level set by the patient.

Patients should also report symptoms suggestive of congestive heart failure:

• a change in exercise tolerance
• increased dyspnea
• sudden weight gain or edema

Cardiac arrhythmias are not uncommon with chronic inflammatory disease – especially in patients on the MP. Although palpitations can be frightening, if there are no symptoms suggestive of heart attack, the situation is not as urgent. The best treatment for cardiac arrhythmia while on the MP, is an extra dose of Benicar.

If a patient's rhythm disturbance is mild but worrisome:

• Do not take the next dose of antibiotic(s)
• Take 20mg of Benicar, crushed, immediately

If symptoms improve, take 40mg of Benicar every four hours until symptoms are gone or minimized unless a patient's doctor advises immediate medical attention.

Patients should report any rhythm change that is:

• extra beats that are very frequent (more than 10 per minute)
• unusually long intervals between beats (more than 3 seconds)
• bradycardia – A very slow heart rate, usually below 50 beats per minute. Bradycardia can be due to an abnormality in the heart's conduction system. If an EKG establishes that the heart rhythm (no heart block or premature beats) is normal, a slow heart rate is not a cause for concern.
• tachycardia – A very rapid heart rate, usually above 160 beats per minute. Read more about tachycardia below.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Its name comes from the fibrillating (i.e., quivering) of the heart muscles of the atria, instead of a coordinated contraction. It can often be identified by taking a pulse and observing that the heartbeats do not occur at regular intervals.

Atrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic and is not in itself generally life-threatening, but it may result in palpitations, fainting, chest pain, or congestive heart failure. People with atrial fibrillation usually have a significantly increased risk of stroke (up to 7 times that of the general population).

Immunopathology could cause a temporary increase in inflammation that results in atrial fibrillation if a patient has subclinical cardiac inflammation. Increasing the frequency of Benicar may be the best way to calm the inflammation. Normal rhythym sometimes returns spontaneously. Occasionally other measures are tried to restore normal rhythm.

Patients who notice an irregular heart rhythm should consult their doctor as soon as possible. He or she will determine the urgency of the situation and what, if any, treatment might be needed. In the meantime, patients should not be alone. Have someone else drive you to the clinic. It is preferable to see the doctor in the less stressful atmosphere of his office rather than wait until you need the attentions of a busy ER.

Tachycardia typically refers to a heart rate that exceeds the normal range for a resting heartrate (heartrate in an inactive or sleeping individual). Most tachycardia is benign and usually is not a cause for alarm. There are no absolute numbers to use as a guide because other clinical signs need to also be taken into account.

The malignant forms of tachycardia, known as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, are a common cause of sudden death and are seen almost exclusively in patients with underlying heart disease. Symptoms of significant palpitations, and especially symptoms of sudden lightheadedness or syncope (fainting), need to be carefully evaluated by a physician.

A tachycardia is said to be “reactive” if it is caused by other disorders such as severe anemia, fever, thyroid disease, or other medical conditions.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) can help distinguish between the various types of tachycardias, generally distinguished by their site of pacemaker origin.

The device has been used to demonstrate effect of a Smart Meter.Extra load which radiation from a Smart Meter makes on even a healthy heart

• underlying heart disease – cause for greatest concern
• overactive thyroid gland, sometimes caused by too much thyroid supplement; patients who are taking a thyroid supplement should be sure to have their thyroid function checked regularly
• fever
• exposure to stimulants (nicotine, caffeine, alcohol); note that chocolate contains caffeine and that Nyquil contains some alcohol
• dehydration may cause low blood volume which could result in an increase in heart rate; maintaining an adequate salt and fluid intake can prevent dehydration

Depending on how fast the heart is beating, symptoms may include:

• breathlessness
• upset stomach
• chest pain
• weakness
• fainting spells
• The attack may be over in minutes or may last for several days, with a heart rate that may range between 140 and 250 beats per minute. In most cases, tachycardia is not life threatening, but it can cause you to feel anxious or frightened.

The Marshall Protocol has been designed to reduce the chance of tachycardia. Taking a cardiac medication (like a beta-blocker which slows the heart), as a preventative, usually isn't necessary, nor does it appear to be necessary in acute emergencies:

Studies show that the early administration of beta-blockers to heart attack victims does not save lives, and occasionally causes dangerous heart failure. While two studies support the use of beta-blockers after heart attack, there are 26 studies that found no survival benefit to administering beta-blockers early on. Moreover, in 2005, the largest, best study of the drugs showed that beta-blockers in the vulnerable, early hours of heart attacks did not save lives, but did cause a definite increase in heart failure.³⁾

Remarkably, the medical community has continued to strongly recommend immediate beta-blocker treatment. Why? Because according to the theory of the straining heart, the treatment makes sense. It should work, even though it doesn’t. Ideology trumps evidence.

David H. Newman, M.D, NYTimes.com

Following the MP guidelines carefully should prevent any serious cardiac rhythm disturbances. Thus far, the few patients on the Marshall Protocol who experienced a disturbance in their cardiac rhythm have reported relief with an increase of Benicar to 40mg every four hours or by modifying other MP medications such as antibiotics.

Other self-help measures that may help slow down the heart rate include:

• splashing your face with cold water
• taking a slow drink of water
• holding your breath for a moment

If these techniques are not effective, a patient's physician may need to prescribe medication, apply pressure to the arteries in your neck, or use an electrical stimulus to restore your heart rate to normal.

This article states, “Pulsatile tinnitus is usually due to a small blood vessel that is coupled by fluid to your ear drum. It is usually nothing serious and also untreatable.” Of course, we believe that tinnitus is due to Th1 inflammation and will resolve with the MP.

If you experience significantly increased or sudden:

• exercise intolerance
• severe shortness of breath
• fluid retention or swelling
• weight gain (3 lbs overnight or 5 lbs in 3 days)

Do not take your next dose of antibiotic/s and increase Benicar to 40mg every four hours until symptoms are gone or minimized.

I can’t remember the last time I had the racing heart beat. If I have had a busy day, I will still get the ‘blood zinging in my ears’ when I lay down. The heart still seems to be playing catch up at times.

Vicki SA, MarshallProtocol.com

I have taken Tenormin 50 mg for years, but I don't think it is doing much for me right now but will keep it onboard until doc changes. The Benicar is helping me much more and now I know I am having cardiac herxes because they are relieved so quickly with the Benicar.

Debbie, MarshallProtocol.com