Can anyone recommend a good supplement to take to try and improve heart health/function?

[Nickybhf]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to ask if anyone has tried taking any supplements to improve heart health/function and if so, has it helped?

Or has anyone tried taking something natural daily to improve heart function and had positive results?

I’m looking into this for my mum. She has atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension. I’m hoping something alongside medication may help with her condition and symptoms. Any recommendations and/or experiences will be appreciated.

Thank you

[Captain_Birdseye]

Hiya,

Is your mum able to eat better? I read a previous post suggesting she couldn't eat much due to nausea?

It might be worth her speaking to her GP about being tested for vitamin deficiencies - that would give her an idea of what she's needing and the doctor would be able to prescribe what supplements the NHS recommends.

If you choose to go for anything additional, please speak to a pharmacist as some supplements can interact with other medication. Even natural remedies and certain foods can cause issues (think of how many drugs come with a warning not to have grapefruit or st John's wort) so always worth getting a professional opinion.

[Nickybhf in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

Thank you, mum does have anaemia, so is on iron tablets, she also is prescribed folic acid. I just thought maybe cod liver oil or garlic supplement may help with heart problems.

[Captain_Birdseye in reply to Nickybhf]

For garlic there's some, but not a lot, of evidence that it helps lower blood pressure or cholesterol, but it's a bit of a stretch really - especially if you're already taking medication. Garlic supplements shouldn't be taken with anticoagulants (like warfarin) as these interact with each other.

There's a bit more evidence in play for Cod liver oil, but only at vertain doses (research still going on), but these can also interact with anticoagulants and some blood pressure tablets.

Always best to check with a medical professional as many people assume these things are safe because they are natural - but they do have side effects like all foods and medication.

[Cee-Cee1]

Hi Nicky - I'd agree with Captain_Birdseye's suggestion to have a word with the GP regarding tests for vitamin deficiencies. This will give you both a much better idea of what might be needed or what might help if tests do show anything. The surgeon who carried out my bypass strongly suggested that before taking any vitamin supplements etc. you should always run it past your GP or pharmacist first. As Captain_Birdseye says, some supplements, and even everyday foods, can interfere with medications we've been prescribed in a detrimental way. I do hope you can find some answers for your Mum, it's so worrying when they're ill. Carol

[Nickybhf in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Thank you, I have mentioned supplements to GP before, he hasn’t really given any advice on this other than to stick with iron tablets & folic acid. Oh, and mum also has osteoporosis so is on vitamin D.

[devonian186]

Weight is a big factor in the heart working as efficiently as possible as is exercise and of course lifestyle (not smoking etc) and diet. Are you satisfied she is doing as well as she could on all those factors?

[Nickybhf in reply to devonian186]

Yes, definitely. Mums weight is fine, if anything, she’s probably underweight. She’s never smoked and doesn’t drink. Since she was diagnosed with the heart conditions, her appetite has just dropped so much.

[Hidden]

Hi Nick, heart health depends on overall mental & physical health & well-being. As you asked I may be able to give my own personal experience.

My cardiologist recommended Chinese natural herb Danshen brand name Tricardin ( Tisly). I used (Danshenform 250 mg dripping pills capsules) morning & night along with all other medications for 2 years.

Try fresh pomegranate juice extracted with yellow inside skin peels included daily ( it lowers BP for sure).

Psyllium husk ( ispaghula ) is good for bowel movements & lowering cholesterol.

Peppermint & fennel seed tea each meal.

Walking & cardio workout as much as body can easily endure without tiring. But minimum 20-30 mins per day.

Good luck & say HI to your mum for me👍🏻

[Nickybhf in reply to Hidden]

Hi Axeman121,

Thank you for your reply. Never knew pomegranate juice helps with BP.

Do you think the Chinese herbs have helped?

The walking is really difficult as mum is very weak. I do say try and have little walks in the garden, but at the same time I don’t pressure her to do too much as she had 3 fractures in her spine a few years back which led to height loss, and general weakness. So many things mums been through and still going through!

Thanks for your kind wishes and mum also says Hi too.

[Hidden in reply to Nickybhf]

Hi thanks for reply. My cardiologist swear by the benefits of danshen dripping pills. You can try and search ....google etc, unfortunately incase walking is an issue keep mum mentally occupied & interested in movies, books, board games etc.

A lot of care and well wishes for your mum may she get better soon.

[Warm-heart]

Magnesium is very important. And it can really help atrial fibrillation too, you will see other posts about that on this site. Does no harm and is a very important mineral which many of us are short of and hard to measure in the bloodwork. Worth watching Dr Sanjay Gupta cardiologist videos here re magnesium :youtube.com/results?search_...

[Nickybhf in reply to Warm-heart]

Thank you. Will look into this,

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Nickybhf,

I am so sorry for your Mom with having AF and PAH. I have been having difficulty/struggling with breathing for several months, and I have been having tests and awaiting a diagnosis. It is scary to have trouble breathing.

I believe that you stated that your Mom is taking prescribed medication(s) for her medical conditions and that is good. I honestly don’t have any ideas, or suggestions, concerning additional supplements. She might want to discuss this possibility with her doctor.

In the meantime, I am going to suggest a website that provides a great deal of information about PAH, and has members who share their stories, concerns and/or questions with one another. Your Mom might like looking into this group too.

The website is myphteam.com Best wishes to you both! ❤️

[Nickybhf in reply to Smitty1956]

Thanks for your reply, I hope you get to the root of why you’re having breathing issues. When mum was getting breathless frequently, the consultant said it was down to fluid retention.

Thank you for the website link, will look into this and thank you for your kind wishes.

[sam-sam32]

Hi Nicky, Your mum could try drinking hawthorn tea. For general heart health. Might be worth her mentioning this idea to her doctor or pharmacist. Strengthening and calming. I drink it occasionally and so cannot confidently report back on it, but hawthorn has helped me in the past. It is in the herbal mixture my medical herbalist has given me. I have arrhythmia and atrial fib. Very best wishes, Sam-Sam32

[Nickybhf in reply to sam-sam32]

Hi Sam,

Thanks for that. Will mention the hawthorn tea to GP, thanks for your kind wishes.

[Shar28]

My husband takes Ubiquinol, i’ts a form of Q10. His GP and Cardiologist said theres no clinical studies on it but it isn’t harming him, in fact his EF has improved, so carry on taking it.

[Nickybhf in reply to Shar28]

Oh that’s brilliant if it’s helped with the EF.

[Nikinromantic]

Vitamin-C. 500mg daily

[Nickybhf in reply to Nikinromantic]

Thanks, mum used to take it a few years back, but stopped as her prescription medicines increased. Do you think the vitamin C would help in general with heart conditions?

[Nikinromantic in reply to Nickybhf]

Actually we are following a doctor since 45 years. He is quite experienced, he has told me to take vitamin c. To keep me and my heart ❤️ healthy

[Nickybhf in reply to Nikinromantic]

That’s good to know a doctor has recommended taking it. Thanks

[Noodlesalad]

I have just started a diet with via my GP Second Nature, the food side of it has been very little change to me because my main self prepared meal each day is salmon with a rainbow salad. I think what's made the bigger difference is walking ...although my joint pain is worse sadly. I started not walking too far and have gradually built up to much more up to 3500 steps per day which is pitifully poor but our heart is a muscle and we need to exercise. Also having a good size bowl of berries each day, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries any mixed fruit is good for me.Hope you're mum finds something that will help.

[Nickybhf in reply to Noodlesalad]

Thank you, well done for doing what you’re doing. Any amount of steps is good. The salmon sounds good, mums not much of a fish eater! She does however like berries so will consider these.

[theonethatgotaway1]

Steps in the right direction. Diet. Exercise. Lifestyle changes. Limit alcohol. Get out walking. Meds. Clean diet. Oily fish. Garlic. Herbs. Less red meat. Fruits and veg. Berries. Exercise daily. Meditation. Positive mindset. Acceptance. Love.

[Nickybhf in reply to theonethatgotaway1]

Thank you, all good suggestions. 👍🏼

[Hidden]

Hi @Nickybhf , before taking vitamins/supplements you should check with your doctor or health care professional. HealthUnlocked is only to be used as peer to peer support and not as medical advice.

Many thanks,

HU_Moderator