Herbal, Vitamin, and Mineral Supplement Use in Patients Enrolled in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

PURPOSE The use of complementary and alternative medicine is common and continues to rise each year, both in the general population and among those with cardiovascular disease. While some supplements may incur risk, particularly when used concomitantly with cardiovascular medications, others have proven benefits. However, supplements such as antioxidants and many herbs can have significant interactions with cardiovascular medications. This study aimed to identify the percentage of patients enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program taking herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplements. METHODS Electronic and paper charts of 235 patients enrolled in a phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation program were reviewed. Their demographics, medical history, and medications were stratified in an Excel chart, using a large matrix from which data were imported into Matlab for analysis. Custom Matlab programs were created and compiled to determine variables of interest, including percentages of patients with a specific medical condition taking certain supplements. RESULTS Sixty-seven percent of patients enrolled in the cardiac rehabilitation program were taking vitamins, with or without minerals (67%, 158 of 235). Multivitamin is the most common form of supplement (51%, 119 of 235), followed by fish oil/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (27%, 64 of 235). CONCLUSION The majority of patients in a phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation program are taking some form of herbal, vitamin, or mineral supplement. Given frequent, complicated patient medication regimens, it is important to educate patients on the potential benefits as well as lack of evidence and possible dangers of supplements.

The Use of Nutritional Supplement in Romanian Patients – Attitudes and Beliefs

“…Nutritional supplements for sleep can determine the sudden discontinuation of treatment with benzodiazepines, for example, which can cause a rebound effect and withdrawal. The increased risks on adverse events when combining the prescribed drugs with medicinal products are also mentioned in previous studies that emphasize the dietary supplement interactions with medication for cardiovascular diseases or psychiatric, anticoagulant medication, because of their content in garlic, gingko, ginseng [6,11,12,16,19]. Achieving nutritional supplements from online shops or even supermarkets can lead to unjustified use of these products because there is no healthcare specialist to consult in these places and more over the untrusted source of purchasing can result in contaminated products with microorganisms or undeclared substances as presented before in similar studies [1,4,7,18,22,23].…”

Cannabidiol Inhibits Tau Aggregation In Vitro

“…Among them, hampering the tau aggregation has been, indeed, as one of the key strategies [ 40 ]. So far, a series of synthetic drugs have been tested for hampering tau protein aggregation; however, their side effects and toxicities discourage us from using them as a treatment [ 41 ]. On the other hand, bio-based products such as vitamins and herbal drugs show less toxicity and side effects [ 42 ].…”

Medication and Dietary Supplement Interactions among a Low-Income, Hospitalized Patient Population Who Take Cardiac Medications

“…In our study of participants having a PHDS-PMI, 25% were asked about their DS use at admission and 75% had documentation of DS in the medical chart. In a chart review of patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program, 67% had documentation of DS with multivitamins and fish oil being the most common [ 8 ]. Without proper discussion and documentation of medications and DS, providers run the risk of making a medical error.…”

“…Many patients take DS to promote health and prevent complications from cardiac health conditions. In a study examining patients enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program, 67% of patients enrolled were taking vitamins, with or without minerals, with multivitamins and fish oil being the most common supplements used [ 8 ]. There is extensive research identifying DS with cardiovascular effects.…”