A growing number of studies are finding that many common natural supplements, which a person can take every day, can prevent or reduce the impact of these deadly heart irregularities.

Several researchers have shown that grape seed extract can dramatically reduce these deadly arrhythmias in experimental heart attack animal models. Furthermore, the supplements significantly reduced the amount of heart damage.

The dose used in these studies was rather high, but lower doses may be effective as well — somewhere in the range of 1,000 mg three times a day for those at a high risk of a heart attack. Even lower doses can be used as a preventative — around 250 to 500 mg twice a day.

Another grape product, called resveratrol, was found to protect against arrhythmia, especially the deadly ventricular fibrillation type, especially at lower doses. It is best used on a daily basis in a dose no more than 200 mg a day. Higher doses, especially those above 500 mg a day, can be toxic.

Quercetin, a very common flavonoid found in plant foods, was shown to prevent arrhythmias and dramatically improve heart muscle function and repair following heart attack. Its main effect in preventing arrhythmia was reducing platelet clumping and activation.

Silybin, a compound extracted from milk thistle, has been shown to dramatically reduce the amount of damage to the heart following coronary artery blockage, and to prevent arrhythmias as well.

In experimental studies, green and white tea extracts — especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — were found to effectively block arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation.

Another impressive combination therapy is mixing the amino acid taurine with magnesium. Several studies have shown this to be effective in controlling arrhythmias.

Taurine has been used to improve heart function in cases of heart failure. It does so by improving calcium-related biochemical pathways in the heart muscle.

A dose of 500 mg of taurine taken three times a day, 30 minutes before each meal, and the slow-release magnesium malate, 500 mg twice a day, is sufficient.

A pair of compounds extracted from the herb skullcap — called wagonin and baicalein — have been shown to powerfully protect the heart from damage during heart attacks and to prevent arrhythmias as well.

Hesperidin, a flavonoid found in high concentrations in orange juice, also alleviated arrhythmias in animal models of heart attacks, significantly reduced heart muscle inflammation, and corrected low nitrate levels commonly seen with heart attacks.

Hesperidin is available as an extract. A dose of 500 mg three times a day taken with meals should be sufficient, as it is well-absorbed.

Finally, curcumin, which is extracted from the spice turmeric, has been shown to have tremendous heart-protective properties, including improving heart energy levels, reducing heart inflammation, preventing atherosclerosis, and correcting diabetic heart damage.

It is a powerful antioxidant, reduces platelet aggregation, and reduces arrhythmias. These effects are all seen with relatively low doses.