Atrial fibrillation (af):

Last week, a reader wrote in asking for more information about this heart condition that is plaguing her father. He has been prescribed warfarin and digoxin and she would like to know any alternatives beside drug therapy. A wise move as well, considering that warfarin is used in rat poison to thin their blood, as one homeopath informs us. She suggests two homeopathic remedies: the first is Bothrops in a 12C potency and the second is a Arnica/Kali Mur/Crataegus combination in a 3X potency. A word of caution though: substituting drugs for alternative therapies _ especially for a serious heart condition such as AF _ should be carried out under close supervision from an experienced medical practitioner. Arming yourself with as much knowledge is probably the best step to take at this point. One reader recommends the website www.afibbers.com, while another suggests a visit to www.yourhealthbase.com . Both websites are apparent mines of information where you can find out all there is to know about AF, including drugs (which would most likely include warfarin and digoxin), surgery and nutrition. And speaking of nutrition, a reader suggests heart problem sufferers supplement their diet with co-enzyme Q10, carnitine and hawthorne, as well as drinking plenty of water to clean out the kidneys and reduce stress on the heart.