Rejuvenate qi. Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that heart failure results from chronic fatigue of qi. "As qi weakens, the heart pumps less efficiently, blood doesn't move as it should, and fluids accumulate around the body," explains Efrem Korngold, O.M.D., L.Ac. In the Chinese view, fluids are Moisture, and they're regulated by the Kidneys. To treat CHF, he prescribes herbal formulas that usually contain herbs such as ginseng root, astragalus root, salvia root, angelica root, cinnamon bark, and licorice root.
Aid your heart with acupressure. People with CHF can also benefit from professional acupuncture treatment, Dr. Korn?gold says. If you prefer a self-care alternative, consider acupressure. Apply steady, penetrating finger pressure to each of the following points for 3 minutes.
Pericardium 6, located in the middle of your inner wrist, 2 1/2 finger-widths above the wrist crease
Heart 7, located on the pinkie side of the wrist crease that's closest to your palm . Kidney 7, located on your inner leg, two thumb-widths above your anklebone
Stomach 36, located four finger-widths below your kneecap and one finger ?width toward the outside of your shin?bone
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ask about arjuna. Among Ayurvedic practitioners, arjuna bark is the herb of choice for treating heart failure. Research has shown that it significantly improves heart functions. If you'd like to try arjuna bark, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for a prescription and dosage information.
Medical Measures
For 200 years, the drugs digitalis and digoxin-both derived from the herb foxglove-were the first-line mainstream medical treatments for CHF. But then reports that these drugs might cause heart rhythm disturbances, or arrhythmias, began cropping up.
Today, digoxin is still prescribed for CHF, but it is no longer a first-line treatment. Most doctors now prescribe either diuretics, which help eliminate fluid, or vasodilators, which lower blood pressure and allow blood to circulate more easily. If your doctor recommends a diuretic or vasodilator, be sure to ask about potential side effects. Take the pills on the prescribed schedule. And if you notice any side effects, discuss them with your doctor.
Your doctor might also prescribe low?dose aspirin. In a study conducted at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, researchers spent 5 years tracking the health status of 6,800 people with CHF. Some of the people took aspirin, while others did not. In the course of the study, 41 percent of the non-aspirin takers were hospitalized or died because of CHF. Among the aspirin takers, that figure was just 26 percent.
Another option in CHF treatment is enrollment in a cardiac rehabilitation program. These programs are usually recommended for people who have had heart attacks and for people with angina.
For more information about cardiac rehabilitation programs, talk to your doctor.
Try a heart-friendly herb. The leaves and flowers of the herb hawthorn contain abundant supplies of compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids improve the heart's pumping ability and the flow of blood through the circulatory system. "Hawthorn is very useful in treating CHF, especially in the early stages;" Dr. Pizzorno says.
Since hawthorn is such a potent herb, check with your doctor before you begin taking it. It may interfere with some high blood pressure medications and could be dangerous to those with low blood pressure.
Feel better with willow bark. The herb willow bark contains a compound, salicin, that's the chemical forerunner of aspirin. Like aspirin, willow bark can help prevent the blood clotting that leads to heart attack and stroke. If the latest research is any indication, the herb may also benefit people with CHF.
If you'd like to try willow bark, take it as a tea, suggests James A. Duke, Ph.D. Simmer 1 teaspoon of the powdered herb in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink two to three cupfuls daily.
Social Support
Find someone to lean on. People with CHF who get emotional support from others are much more likely to manage their symptoms effectively. Harland Krumholz, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, analyzed the medical records of 292 elderly women who had developed heart failure. He found that compared with those who received the most emotional support, the women who felt socially isolated were eight times more likely to complain of CHF symptoms.
To find a CHF support group in your area, ask your doctor or contact your local office of the American Heart Association.
Home Remedies
Lose those extra pounds. Being over?weight raises your blood pressure and makes your heart work harder to move blood through all the extra tissue. Losing weight, on the other hand, lowers your blood pressure and gives your tired heart a break.
Research shows that the combination of weight control and sodium restriction can make an even bigger difference in your blood pressure and, therefore, in CHF symptoms.
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