Cardiovascular Health - Heart Failure

Question 1

Q: What is Heart Failure (HF)?

Answer 1

A: Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome in which the heart is unable to supply sufficient blood flow, impairing its function as a pump.

Question 2

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure (HF)?

Answer 2

A:

Breathlessness (on exertion, at rest, and orthopnoea)
Nocturnal dyspnoea
Fluid retention (e.g., ankle oedema, abdominal swelling)
Fatigue, exercise intolerance
Lightheadedness, syncope
Tachycardia

Question 3

Q: What are the causes and risk factors for heart failure?

Answer 3

A:

CV conditions: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, atrial fibrillation (AF), cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, heart valve abnormalities.

Co-morbidities: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), anaemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, COPD.

Lifestyle factors: Smoking, obesity, nutrient deficiencies (e.g., CoQ10, B vitamins).
Other factors: Insulin resistance (IR) and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Question 4

Q: What are the complications of heart failure?

Answer 4

A:

Atrial fibrillation
Ventricular arrhythmias
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Sudden cardiac death

Question 5

Q: What is the allopathic approach to treating heart failure?

Answer 5

A:

Digoxin: Increases myocardial contraction force.

Diuretics: Help reduce fluid retention.

Calcium channel blockers.

ACE inhibitors

Question 6

Q: What is the natural approach to treating heart failure?

Answer 6

A:

Lower cardiovascular risk factors by addressing hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Correct nutrient deficiencies (e.g., CoQ10, vitamin D, B1, B2, B12, magnesium).

Encourage smoking cessation and achieve an ideal body weight.

Question 7

Q: What supplements can help manage heart failure?

Answer 7

A:

CoQ10 (300–400 mg daily): Essential for ATP production in cardiac myocytes and a powerful antioxidant.

D-ribose (5–15 g daily): Regenerates low myocardial ATP and improves ventricular function in chronic heart failure.

Magnesium (400–800 mg daily): Essential for ATP production; prevents vasoconstriction and improves cardiac contractility.

Thiamine (100–200 mg daily): Coenzyme in energy-producing reactions; supports myocardial contraction.

L-carnitine (2000–3000 mg daily): Facilitates fatty acid transfer to mitochondrial membranes for beta-oxidation, the heart’s primary energy source.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp., 1000–1500 mg daily): Increases vasodilation, antioxidant properties, and nitric oxide production.