The Cause
Lyme disease is an infection that is commonly spread to humans through tick bites. While many people are aware of the complications and debilitating effects of Lyme disease, few know of the damagaing cardiovascular effects of Lyme.
The bacteria that causes Lyme disease is Borrelia burgdorferi, also known as B burgdorferi. This is a bacteria carried by specific kinds of ticks, namely blacklegged ticks. The blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) spreads the disease in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States. The western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) spreads the disease on the Pacific Coast.
The ticks obtain the bacteria when they bite infected woodland animals. If you are bitten by a tick that is infected, you are at risk of getting Lyme disease.
Heart Complications of Lyme Disease
One of the biggest health concerns of Lyme disease is the potential for Lyme Carditis, which occurs when the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria enters the tissues of the heart. This infection can interfere with the electrical signals that coordinate the regular beating of the heart. The resulting condition is called “heart block”. This can vary widely, from mild to moderate and even severe cases. Depending on where the block is located within the heart, different types of electrical blocks can occur, resulting in different complications and symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Lyme Carditis and Heart Block Include:
- heart palpitations
- syncope
- chest pain
- dyspnea
These symptoms usually are seen in conjunction with the more common symptoms of Lyme disease.
One concern with heart block is that is can progress very rapidly. Lyme Carditis can even be fatal due to sudden cardiac death if left untreated. The biggest danger is when Lyme disease goes undiagnosed, and Lyme Carditis sets in.
Maintaining Cardiovascular Health
A proactive approach to Lyme disease and cardiovascular health is extremely important, whether or not you have been diagnosed with Lyme Carditis. Biologic health supplements such as the Ultimate Lyme Support System by Results RNA has been proven to kill the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria and coinfection agents such as Bartonella henselae. This system also detoxifies the body of toxic heavy metals, which have also been proven to contribute to cardiovascular complications.
ACC Cardio Extra Strength is a powerful biologic and is an effective way to provide comprehensive cardiovascular support to restore the immune system and to repair and maintain cardiovascular health. These supplements, along with an active lifestyle and a healthy diet, helps to promote healthy heart muscle, blood pressure, circulation and more. With ACC Cardio Extra Strength and the Ultimate Lyme Support System, you have comprehensive coverage for both cardiovascular health and Lyme disease.
Know The Three Stages of Lyme Disease
Stage 1: Localized Lyme disease – The bacteria are just entering the body and have not spread beyond the place of initial contact.
Stage 2: Early disseminated Lyme disease – Bacteria has moved outside of the initial area of contact and is beginning to spread around the rest of the body.
Stage 3: Late disseminated Lyme disease – Bacteria has spread throughout the body.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Each Stage
The symptoms of Lyme disease may be present from a few days to a few weeks after the initial infection. Lyme disease symptoms are very similar to flu symptoms.
Stage 1 Lyme Disease Symptoms
- General nausea
- Headaches
- Join pain
- Muscle pain
- Stiff neck
- Chills or fever
- Bull’s eye rash;, known as erythema migrans
Stage 2 Lyme Disease Symptoms
Stage 2 Lyme disease symptoms may begin to occur a few weeks to a few months after initial exposure. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
- Weakness or even paralysis in the facial muscles
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Stage 3 Lyme Disease Symptoms
Stage 3 Lyme disease symptoms may occur months to years after the initial exposure. Joint and muscle pain are common at this stage. Other symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
- Lyme Carditis
- Slower cognitive processes
- Speech problems
- Joint swelling
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Abnormal movement in the muscle
Testing for Lyme Disease and Lyme Carditis
Because many Lyme patients don’t recall a tick bite, it is very important to perform a blood test if you have been involved in high risk activities and you are presenting any of the symptoms mentioned earlier.
The blood test that is most often used for Lyme is known as the “ELISA ” test, which is followed up by an immunoblot test. Blood tests may produce a false negative if the disease is in the early stages of development. Even if you are treated with antibodies during an early stage of Lyme disease, the body may not have a high enough production of antibodies for any blood test to detect. However, in places where Lyme disease is known to be a problem, health care providers may be more aware of symptoms in their earliest stages without even having to perform lab tests for the condition.
Other tests that may be used to detect Lyme disease after the bacteria has spread include an MRI, spinal tap, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.
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