complementary and alternative medicine (cam) are medical products and services that are considered “external” to conventional medicine, but are intended to prevent or treat disease. cam is a large company and widely used. Most Americans Take Some Supplements. in the meantime cam Claimed to be effective for many medical conditions, but evidence supporting routine use is very limited. Heart failure is a common cardiovascular disease that affects it. Over 6 million Americans It causes considerable morbidity and mortality.a American Heart Association Scientific Statement was recently published and is intended to provide patients, the public, and health professionals with a comprehensive summary of efficacy and safety. cam for patients with heart failure.
What is heart failure
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a chronic, progressive medical condition that results from the inability of the heart to meet the body’s needs. In heart failure, hearing loss prevents the body from supplying enough blood. It can occur when the heart does not fill with enough blood and/or when the heart is too weak to pump properly. Symptoms include weakness and difficulty doing activities such as walking or climbing stairs. And so on. Heart failure can cause adaptations of the heart itself (expansion and development of muscle mass) and can cause many costs in the body that may partially alleviate some problems, but others. It can cause serious problems (such as kidney and liver damage).There are two main types of heart failure (left and right, which refer to the sides of the heart).
Treatment of heart failure is based on the type of heart failure and the underlying cause. Key recommendations include regular exercise, cessation of tobacco use, and management of conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Surgery or other intervention may be appropriate (such as coronary artery occlusion) and medication may be recommended depending on the severity of the disease. The overarching goal is to control symptoms and maintain/prolong quality of life.
cam heart failure
As has been pointed out in many previous posts, cam In most countries, it is not regulated like conventional medicine. Regulators tend to use a “light touch” for these products and generally do not apply the same requirements for manufacture or evidence to support claims of efficacy. cam Despite a general lack of evidence to suggest that these products are of high quality, safe and effective, they are widely used.Presumed 30% or more heart failure patients may be using cam.
Given the popularity cam Also, because of the importance of medical therapy in treating heart failure, patients and practitioners alike need to understand the effects, benefits, and risks of heart failure. cam in the management of this disease. To support this, a group of cardiologists, pharmacists, scientists, and nurses conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify evidence of efficacy for (1). cam (2) Evidence for Heart Failure Safety camincluding the effects of coupling cam with medicine for heart failure.
The title of the paper is Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Management of Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association Published December 2022. cam We discussed not only (from a US perspective) but also global usage trends. The authors caution that healthcare professionals and patients need to be aware of the regulatory status of drug therapy. cam If you are considering these treatments.
cam Efficacy in heart failure
Several cam Products have been investigated in clinical trials, some related to improvements in symptoms, ability to function, and quality of life. This report includes mechanism of action (if known), evidence, known benefits, and A detailed summary of the harm is provided. I will provide a brief summary and highlight some products here, report reference For full details.
alcohol – I do not consider alcohol cam, but this statement does. Observational data suggest that low to moderate amounts of alcohol may be associated with a reduced risk of developing heart failure. Cardiac hypertrophy) and is a known cause of heart failure.
Coenzyme Q10/Ubiquinone/Ubiquinol – CoQ10 is naturally present in some foods and is a cofactor in many biological pathways. Small studies have shown that high doses moderately affect ventricular function and quality of life.Largest randomized trial (I blogged about it back in 2013) did not affect some measures but reduced major cardiovascular events at 2 years. Given the overall quality of the evidence, the report states that CoQ10 has an “uncertain value.”
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids/fish oil/eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid – Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are found in foods such as fish, soybeans, and organ meats. These supplements have been extensively researched and, while not slam-dunk, have shown benefits such as reduced hospitalizations and improved ventricular function. Some cardiovascular guidelines recommend taking PUFAs.the report is resupply endorsement (but not at the expense of guideline-based dosing) at doses of less than 4g per day.
Thiamine, vitamin B1 – Thiamin is a water-soluble vitamin found in grains, legumes, and yeast. Intermittent deficiency is a documented cause of heart failure. Many heart failure patients are relatively deficient due to chronic diuretic (water pill) use, dietary factors, and age. Not expected (not recommended).
Vitamin D/ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)/calcifediol (23-hydroxyvitamin D)/cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)/calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) – Vitamin D occurs naturally in food and has been touted as a cure-all. almost everythingSupplementation has been shown to have a positive effect on some markers but no effect on others. did not reduce the risk of a first heart failure event compared with The overall evidence feels inconclusive.
yoga and tai chi – Both yoga and tai chi are considered safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatments for heart failure. have been shown to improve the quality of The evidence is generally modest, but the report describes them as having “promises.” Beneficial Forms of Exercise.
cam harm in heart failure
There is an extensive list of supplements that can cause drug interactions.
cam It can have adverse effects through various mechanisms.
alcohol – As mentioned above, excessive alcohol consumption has detrimental effects. Drinking more than 10 drinks per week for him has detrimental effects.
caffeine – The effects of caffeine on heart failure appear to be neutral to negative. There is a possibility.
gossypol – This is a compound derived from the stems, seeds, and roots of the cotton plant and has also been used as a male contraceptive and antimalarial drug. Chronic use can cause circulatory disturbances.
grapefruit juice – I blogged about how Grapefruit may cause drug interactions in a past post. Given that grapefruit juice can affect the absorption of some medications used to treat heart failure, the report recommends complete avoidance given its unpredictable effects.
Hawthorne – Appears to have a positive effect on heart contractility, but may interact with digoxin, a common heart failure drug.
L-arginine – l-Arginine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in food, but supplement RCT data show an increased risk of death and is not recommended.
licorice – Glycyrrhetinic acid is the active metabolite of black licorice and is associated with heart failure. There is no risk of
Lily of the valley, oleander, strophanthus, ouabain – Digoxin, identified from the digitalis plant, is commonly used to treat heart failure. However, many other plants, such as lily of the valley, have been identified to contain related chemicals. is a dangerous and potentially fatal alternative to using digoxin medically.
Vitamin E – Supplement doses above 400IU/day may increase the risk of heart failure and should be used with caution.
Conclusion: Limited Benefits cam
cam It is undoubtedly popular and may be used in conjunction with conventional treatments for heart failure or in place of evidence-based treatments. There are a few, but many products can make heart failure worse or interact with prescription medications.Further investigation is definitely recommended, but a cautious approach cam Using (of any kind) seems to be the safest strategy with the lowest risk of unforeseen harm.
