Heart failure is a serious condition that can have fatal consequences for the patient. More than half a million people are suffering from heart failure in the UK, and there are thousands new patients each year. Heart failure does not mean that the heart stops beating, but that there is not sufficient oxygenated blood being circulated in the body. There are numerous cardiovascular diseases that can result in hearth failure. Read more below!
Treatment of heart failure is often based on medicine, prescribed by a physician, which, among other things, lessen the symptoms. Some will experience a host of side effects, and some will not experience an easing of their symptoms. In these cases, one can consider supplementing the treatment with natural remedies or shift completely. However, before doing so you should always consult a physician and explain what you are considering.
The following natural remedies have been proved to have beneficial effect in patients with heart failure:
- Eoenzym Q10 (CoQ10) supplement: The primary role of CoQ10 is to produce energy, which the heart needs in abundance to efficiently function. Normally, the muscles of the heart contain large quantities of CoQ10, but in patients with heart failure the amount is reduced; thus, the muscles have difficulties producing enough energy. Clinical studies have shown that 87 % of patients with heart failure and increased blood pressure experience an improvement in their condition after 6 months on CoQ10 supplements.
- Hawthorn berries: According to clinical studies, hawthorn berries can improve the effect of digoxin, a drug commonly administered to improve the hearths ability to contract. Ingesting hawthorn berries can therefore result in a reduced need for digoxin, thereby reducing the risk of side effects of the treatment. Hawthorn berries should be able to improve the hearts ability to convert oxygen and energy and improve the hearts ability to contract. Meanwhile, hawthorn berries can reduce blood pressure, normalise heart rhythm, and increase circulation by dilating the blood vessels.
- Levodopa: a compound which is converted into dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases the hearts ability to pump blood. Vitamin B6 increases the conversion of levodopa to dopamine, which is why the two should be taken together for the most optimal effect. The correct dose is crucial since the treatment has side effects, such as rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, etc., which can be serious.
You can consider supplementing your treatment with one or more of the above natural remedies and these should be tried in the mentioned order. Before doing anything, you should always consult a physician to discuss the dose, and whether there are any risks associated with the remedy.
