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SAN FRANCISCO, May 24, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A doctor at a San Francisco science meeting is presenting a study showing flavonoids in green tea cut ventricular arrhythmias after a heart attack.
"This is an interesting development in the battle against these serious and life-threatening disorders," Michael E. Cain of the Heart Rhythm Society, said Monday.
Cain is presenting his findings at the Heart Rhythm Society's 25th Annual Scientific Sessions.
"While this is a preventive action that may be beneficial, it is important to continue with your current medications and health regimen."
This study examined the link between Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate, a type of flavonoid with high concentrations in green tea, on "Human-Ether-A-Gogo Related Gene," a potassium channel shown to be present in a form of Long QT Syndrome -- a disorder of the electrical system that can be inherited, acquired after taking certain medications, or caused by a combination of heredity and medications.
Ventricular arrhythmias are life-threatening irregularities of heart beats associated with coronaries or scarring of the heart muscle from a previous heart attack.
Flavonoids contained in a large number of plant medicines have anticarcinogenic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antibacterial and antiallergic properties.
Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
