title: Use of complementary therapies by individuals with or at risk for cardiovascular disease: results of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are often used as adjuvants to conventional treatment by individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or CVD risk factors, such as hypertension and high cholesterol. Patterns of use of CAM practices and products represent important data for health care providers in delivering adequate patient care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study compared CAM use among the US CVD and general population, as well as individuals with CVD risk factors (hypertension and/or high cholesterol), through secondary analyses of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis compared use of CAM by individuals with CVD (those individuals self-reporting a diagnosis of coronary heart disease; n = 1055), individuals with CVD risk factors (those individuals self-reporting a diagnosis of hypertension [n = 6849] or high cholesterol [n = 5808]), and individuals who self-report as not having CVD or CVD risk factors (n = 22 290).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of complementary practices and products by patients with CVD and CVD risk factors is common and significantly greater than individuals without CVD in the general population. The most common categories of complementary modalities used by individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of CVD or CVD risk factors were natural products and mind-body practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of CVD or CVD risk factors may be associated with the use of complementary practices and products.
authors: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0782, USA.
authors: Joel G
authors: JG
authors: Anderson
authors: Ann Gill
authors: AG
authors: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors