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Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Congestive Heart Failure
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Heart failure occurs when muscle cells in the heart die or no longer function properly, causing the heart to lose its ability to pump enough blood through the body. Heart failure usually develops gradually, over many years, as the heart becomes less and less efficient. It can be mild, scarcely affecting someone's life, or severe, making even simple activities difficult. In either case, heart failure is a serious health problem, which patients and their doctors must manage carefully.
Call the doctor if you:
- Gain weight suddenly
- Have difficulty breathing, even when lying down
- Start to cough or wheeze
- Cough up red sputum
- Have chest pain
- Have heart palpitations
- Develop fever
- Notice swelling of the feet or legs
- Feel abdominal pain or nausea
A word of caution: Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement or herb. You have no way of knowing if the herb or supplement interferes with a health condition or medication. You do not know the purity and quality, and much of the research on these substances is scant and questionable. Also, supplements in high concentrations can be dangerous. Your doctor is the best person to talk with about your concerns.
| Supplement |
Claim |
Possible Interactions, Side Effects and Dangers |
What the Experts Say |
| Ginseng |
May help treat congestive heart failure |
May interact with medications to treat blood sugar and drugs called diuretics, which treat high blood pressure. Drowsiness,
insomnia, headache, rash, sensitivity to the sun, upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation have been reported. |
One study suggests ginseng may help with treating congestive heart failure. Since this is only one study, more need to be done. Some products that claim to contain ginseng may not have any ginseng in them at all. |
Make sure that you:
- Follow the treatment plan closely and regularly take all the medication your doctor has prescribed.
- Weigh yourself every day before breakfast and record your weight. Contact your doctor immediately if you gain two pounds or more on two consecutive days.
- Follow a low-salt diet - avoid salty foods and do not add salt to your food.
- Keep active, but avoid becoming short of breath or getting very tired.
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Related Articles
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External Sources
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This article was reviewed and updated
June 2007.
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