Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies in patients with cardiovascular disease.
BACKGROUND
Complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies are becoming increasingly popular, yet little information is available about the prevalence and patterns of CAM therapy use by patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).


METHODS
Interviewers administered telephone questionnaires to 107 patients randomly selected from a stratified cohort of 2487 eligible patients participating in a registry of patients with CVD.


RESULTS
The current use of CAM therapies was reported by 64% of the patients surveyed. Nutritional supplements (40%) and megadose vitamins (35%) were the most frequently used preparations. Most CAM therapy users (65%) cited their underlying cardiac condition as the reason for taking such therapy. The most common sources of information about CAM were a friend or relative (43%) or the respondent's usual physician. However, although 80% of respondents claimed that they had discussed their use of CAM therapies with their physician, 58% of respondents taking a potentially toxic cardiovascular medication (digoxin, warfarin, sotalol, or amiodarone) were simultaneously taking an oral supplement.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of CAM therapies was high in the cohort of patients surveyed. Physicians caring for patients with CVD need to inquire about CAM therapy use. Further scientific study should be performed to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of CAM therapies in this patient population.
Wood
Malissa J
MJ
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass 02114, USA. mjwood@partners.org
Stewart
Robert L
RL
Merry
Heather
H
Johnstone
David E
DE
Cox
Jafna L
JL
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires