Submitted by David Overton
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published information that azithromycin, a commonly prescribed anti bacterial drug also known as Z packs, posed a small but significant risk for heart attack. What was left out in most of the news articles was the important information:
- That many drugs increase the risk for heart disease
- The specific problem is prolonged QTc interval. This can be measured on some ECG machines and easily read. Normal is 419 milliseconds, which is difficult to see with your eyes. The ECG machine I use provides a written report, which is easy to see.
- Levels prolonged above 419 milliseconds have increasing risk for sudden death
- Treatments are available to manage this risk
- Psychiatric drugs, many drugs for irregular heart beats, some anti fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-histamine and other drugs can cause prolonged QTceaH
For this reason, I believe every patient (no matter how young) should have a routine ECG done, especially if taking prescription drugs. This is especially true since sudden death from unrecognized heart disease risks are increasing at younger ages.
More important information left out:
- Anti bacterial drugs are commonly prescribed for sinus, upper respiratory and respiratory infections (bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia)
- Researchers know, but most clinicians and patients do not know that many heart attacks occur within several weeks these infections. It’s wise to consider circulation problems with any infection and perhaps have an ECG and blood tests for circulation damage done.
- We ask about circulation symptoms and do heart tests with infections and it is surprising how often the tests are abnormal. We then take preventative steps to protect the heart.
Additional important information:
- At least 50% of anti bacterial or anti biotic prescriptions are unnecessary because the person has a viral infection. Anti bacterial drugs do not work for viral infections but we have lots of anti viral supplements. Check out VIRAL INFECTIONS under the IMMUNE section of my website for information
- Sinus and bronchial infections and pneumonia are often due to MYCOPLASMA or CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIA. Standard drugs are often ineffective and we use alternative drugs or treatments. You can find info about these infections under the IMMUNE section of my website
Other causes of sudden cardiac death include conditions we commonly diagnose and treat:
- Blood clots. Blood tests are available to diagnose and manage blood clot risks
- Enlarged heart. Often implied or suggested on an ECG, very common if one is overweight, has high blood pressure and easily diagnosed and managed with an echocardiogram.
- Coxsackie virus – a common cause of eye, ear, nose, throat, lung problems and other problems, including cold sores or canker sore.
I hope you can see there was more to the azithromycin story. It’s best to find a clinician who thinks and treats holistically for your total wellness.
David Overton, PA-C owns Natural Medicines & Family Practice providing conventional and alternative treatments under the supervision of Dr. Richard Faiola, MD, ABFM. 360-357-8054.
Natural Medicines & Family Practice
David Overton, PA-C
1315 Ruddell Rd SE
Lacey, WA 98503
360-357-8054
website: natmeds.net
