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Palmyra, PA 17078
717.832.5993
Congestive Heart Failure or CHF is a progressive condition that weakens the heart over time. CHF has many causes including coronary artery disease, damaged heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) due to disease or substance abuse, and co-existing conditions including diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. Left unchecked, these can all lead to a serious cardiac event including heart attack and sudden death.
People with Heart Failure may experience:
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DR. ADRIAN'S SUGGESTIONS FOR CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Discussion
Congestive Heart failure (CHF) refers to the condition of the heart being incapable to move the blood forward into the arterial system resulting in blood backing up in the lungs and/or large venous system draining the lower part of the body especially. Symptoms are shortness of breath (dyspnea) and fluid retention (edema esp. in the ankles and feet). The causes are many including heart muscle damage due to infection, clogged arteries, structural or valvular abnormalities and nutritional deficiencies. Regardless of the cause, the use of specific nutrients that promote the energy production of heart muscle cells is helpful. Improving oxygen and blood delivery is helpful. Surgery to correct leaky or narrowed valves is sometimes needed but can be delayed with nutritional and hormonal support. Anabolic hormones may be helpful to strengthen the heart muscle which is loaded with testosterone receptors. In my experience, I have had patients come to me with severe heart failure who have had a return to completely normal pumping action of the heart after beginning my program. Their cardiologists are, without fail, unwilling to acknowledge that the improvement was a result of nutrients. There are numerous studies documenting the effectiveness of most of what is recommended here.
Treatment Plan
Diet and Lifestyle
See my Diet for Life, and Essential Supplements section. The heart needs adequate protein, taurine (poultry), good fats like butter and olive oil, and lots of raw produce to energize this hard working organ. The heart works much harder after eating a large meal of dead cooked heavy food. What is dead food? Excess 'yang' foods (meats, cheeses, shrimp, hard boiled/fried eggs etc.) especially at bedtime is a bad idea! My leafy green/ berry smoothies between meals or as a meal are a good idea! Do not over eat in the evening if you don't want to wake up short of breath.
Exercise
Like any muscle, if you don't use it, you will weaken it. But note that over taxing the heart can accelerate the decline in function; so listen to your body. Get plenty of rest with an empty stomach as stated above.
Supplement Research
Coenzyme Q10: Do not waste money on Ubiquinol as 98% of typical Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is converted into the ?nol form within 5 seconds of absorption. Any slight difference in absorption does not offset the greater cost of Ubiquinol.
References:
DHEA: An anabolic or tissue building adrenal hormone. Women should beware of acne or extra facial hair/hair loss with the higher dose.
References:
L-carnitine: This helps the heart burn fat for energy. The heart's mitochondria or energy factories inside cells cannot get fat to burn without the Carnitine Shuttling fatty acids inside the mitochondria.
References:
D-Ribose Powder: This is a sugar molecule that is the building block for building ATP or the cellular energy 'currency' that drives all reactions requiring energy. It tastes a little sweet and is used by athletes.
References:
Taurine: This is an amino acid (the building blocks of proteins) that is especially needed for heart muscle to be healthy. Note that cat food has this added to prevent heart failure in cats.
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Magnesium: This is needed for energy production by the heart and to reduce the likelihood of having an abnormal heart rhythm which can be fatal. Diuretics deplete magnesium and potassium.
References:
Potassium: It is a good idea to take especially if on a diuretic. Note that some meds like those that act on Angiotensin may raise potassium. Many patients will need Rx strength potassium if they are severely low from their diuretics. Consult with your physician.
References:
Hawthorne Extract: This has been used for generations for heart failure.
References:
Avoid list
Strenuous sex; As Clint Eastwood states in a Dirty Harry movie "A man's got to know his limitations".
Legal Disclaimer on Online Medical Advice
This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and linkages to other sites, Dr. Adrian MD provides general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Dr Adrian MD is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN.
If you believe you have any other health problem, or if you have any questions regarding your health or a medical condition, you should promptly consult your physician or other healthcare provider. Never disregard medical or professional advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you read on this site or a linked website. Never rely on information on this website in place of seeking professional medical advice. You should also ask your physician or other healthcare provider to assist you in interpreting any information in this Site or
in the linked websites, or in applying the information to your individual case. Medical information changes constantly.
Therefore the information on this Site or on the linked websites should not be considered current, complete or exhaustive, nor should you rely on such information to recommend a course of treatment for you or any other individual. Reliance on any information provided on this Site or any linked websites is solely at your own risk.
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Injections and Intravenous therapies
EDTA Chelation Therapy:EDTA is a proven treatment for heavy metal removal from the body.Many sources claim that this can also improve the heart's pumping action.Note that any claims made regarding EDTA beyond heavy metal removal are not approved by the FDA.
RX Medications
Conventional medicines used to treat CHF include artery dilators (to decrease resistance to blood flow), beta-blockers (to reduce the heart's pumping efforts and slow the progression or CHF), diuretics (to decrease blood volume, hence the load on the heart), and digoxin (from the foxglove plant). This approach does not make the heart stronger as only nutrients that improve the heart muscle's metabolism can increase cellular energy for this hardworking organ. Too often, the use of diuretics like Lasix only accelerates the downward progression of the patient as valuable minerals and electrolytes are lost from the kidneys in the urine. I typically will reduce diuretics after instituting my program. Often, they can be stopped. Dehydrating the patient excessively is common in the care of CHF patients. Doctors need to be careful not to do this and institute this protocol to turn the patient around.
Testosterone is an ignored medication to strengthen not only men's hearts but women's hearts. I have had dramatic successes with this addition to my program. For additional information please read Testosterone supplementation in heart failure from NCBI (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22511747
Women of course need only a small dose. You will need to see me or a doctor familiar with Testosterone prescribing.
Legal Disclaimer on Online Medical Advice
This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and linkages to other sites, Dr. Adrian MD provides general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Dr Adrian MD is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN.
If you believe you have any other health problem, or if you have any questions regarding your health or a medical condition, you should promptly consult your physician or other healthcare provider. Never disregard medical or professional advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you read on this site or a linked website. Never rely on information on this website in place of seeking professional medical advice. You should also ask your physician or other healthcare provider to assist you in interpreting any information in this Site or
in the linked websites, or in applying the information to your individual case. Medical information changes constantly.
Therefore the information on this Site or on the linked websites should not be considered current, complete or exhaustive, nor should you rely on such information to recommend a course of treatment for you or any other individual. Reliance on any information provided on this Site or any linked websites is solely at your own risk.