Herbs and alternative therapies: Relevance to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases |
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Authors: | Chaula K Vora George A Mansoor |
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Institution: | (1) Jim and Pat Calhoun Center for Cardiology, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, 06030-3940 Farmington, CT, USA |
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Abstract: | Herbal remedies, supplements, and alternative therapeutic items are used by many patients with hypertension and cardiovascular
diseases. Scientific knowledge about their efficacy and safety is lacking, and unfortunately, physicians are frequently not
aware that patients are using these nontraditional forms of medical care. Patients may anticipate physicians’ disapproval
of their use, or not realize that it is important for the physician to know what they are taking. Therefore, it is imperative
that patients are asked nonjudgmental questions about current and past use of herbals and alternative therapies. Even when
physicians are aware of such use, they feel poorly trained to identify the constituents and effects. Although many such therapies
are innocuous, several herbal or alternative therapeutic items can significantly elevate blood pressure or cause interactions
with cardiovascular drugs. Practitioners in cardiovascular medicine should be competent and know current scientific evidence
for the benefits and adverse effects of herbal supplements and provide patients reasonable advice. In this brief article,
we review the epidemiology of alternative therapy use, and select several important herbal or other supplements that patients
with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases may be taking. We discuss the therapies considered biological in nature as opposed
to mind-body interventions or manipulative body or energy therapies. |
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