Exclusively plant, whole-food diet for polypharmacy due to persistent atrial fibrillation, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension in an octogenarian.
Andrew B BeauchesneAlan C GoldhamerToshia R MyersPublished in: BMJ case reports (2018)
Polypharmacy is common and associated with negative health outcomes in the elderly. We report the case of an 82-year-old man with a history of polypharmacy due to coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and persistent atrial fibrillation who presented with memory loss, cognitive impairment, fatigue and weakness. His treatment plan included an exclusively plant, whole-food diet and moderate physical activity which resulted in a rapid reduction of hyperlipidaemia and high blood pressure and the discontinuation of statin, antihypertensive and beta blocker drug therapy. The patient also reported reversal of impaired cognition and symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation and ischaemic cardiomyopathy, including light-headedness, fatigue and weakness. This case demonstrates that dietary and lifestyle modifications have the potential to improve symptoms of cardiovascular disease and reduce polypharmacy along with associated negative consequences in the elderly.
Keyphrases
- blood pressure
- atrial fibrillation
- physical activity
- heart failure
- cardiovascular disease
- sleep quality
- coronary artery disease
- oral anticoagulants
- adverse drug
- catheter ablation
- hypertensive patients
- left atrial
- cognitive impairment
- weight loss
- left atrial appendage
- percutaneous coronary intervention
- heart rate
- direct oral anticoagulants
- human health
- middle aged
- metabolic syndrome
- community dwelling
- type diabetes
- case report
- body mass index
- depressive symptoms
- mild cognitive impairment
- coronary artery bypass grafting
- high intensity
- mitral valve
- angiotensin converting enzyme
- risk assessment
- white matter
- climate change
- acute coronary syndrome
- quantum dots