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Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

There are several alternative medicines that may be effective in lowering cholesterol and preventing some types of heart disease, including:

  • Blond psyllium
  • Coenzyme Q-10
  • Flaxseed
  • Oats and oat bran
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Plant stanols and sterols, such as beta-sitosterol and sitostanol

As with any alternative medicine, talk to your doctor before adding any new supplements to your treatment regimen. Even natural medicines and herbal supplements can interact with medications you're taking.

Coping and support Lifestyle and home remedies
References
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  2. Arrhythmias. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4469. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
  3. Arrhythmia: A problem with your heartbeat. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/286.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
  4. Congenital heart defects. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/chd/chd_all.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
  5. Cooper LT, Jr. Definition and classification of the cardiomyopathies. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 27, 2008.
  6. McKenna WJ. Medical therapy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 27, 2008.
  7. Torpy JM, et al. Heart valve infections. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007;297:1396.
  8. Heart valves. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4598. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
  9. Feldman AM, et al. Myocarditis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000;343:1388.
  10. Moreillon P, et al. Infective endocarditis. The Lancet. 2004;363:139.
  11. Zeller JL, et al. Pericardial effusion. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007;297:1844.
  12. Control your risk factors. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=581. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  13. Davis MM, et al. Influenza vaccination as secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease: A science advisory from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology. Circulation. 2006;114:1553.
  14. Tonetti MS, et al. Treatment of periodontitis and endothelial function. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356:911.
  15. Spahr A, et al. Periodontal infections and coronary heart disease. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2006;166:544.
  16. Rosendorff C, et al. Treatment of hypertension in the prevention and management of ischemic heart disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research and the Councils on Clinical Cardiology and Epidemiology and Prevention. Circulation. 2007;115:2761.
  17. Chobanian AV, et al. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003;289:2560.
  18. Fletcher B, et al. Managing abnormal blood lipids: A collaborative approach. Circulation. 2005;112:3184.
  19. Poobalan A, et al. Effect of weight loss in overweight/obese individuals and long-term lipid outcomes - A systematic review. Obesity Reviews. 2004;5:43.
  20. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. About your heart-catheter procedures. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2005.
  21. Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart). American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3005161. Accessed June 16, 2008.
  22. Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3005172. Accessed May 15, 2008.
  23. Cardiac rehabilitation. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4490. Accessed Nov. 14, 2008.
  24. Natural medicines in the clinical management of hyperlipidemia. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 12, 2008.

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Jan. 28, 2009

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