Congestive heart failure (CHF) Integrative Medicine therapies:
Plant extract and chronic heart failure:
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a plant which produces antioxidant rich berries which has been used with success in heart failure patients.
In an analysis that combined the results of 10 controlled trials (n=855 patients), hawthorn extract was found to be significantly better than placebo for improving exercise tolerance (average difference [AD] in favor of hawthorn, 122.76 watt x min), decreasing shortness of breath and fatigue (AD, -5.47), and enhancing the physiologic function (AD, 5.35 watts) of the heart in individuals suffering from chronic heart failure (CHF). The hawthorn extract used in the studies reviewed by the author used standardized preparations including 18.8% oligomeric procyanidins at a daily dose of 160 mg to 1800 mg for 3 to 26 weeks. A measure of heart oxygen consumption also showed a beneficial decrease with hawthorn treatment (AD, -19.22 mmHg/min) compared to placebo. Minor side-effects were reported including nausea, dizziness, heart and gastrointestinal complaints. (1)
