Essay Sample on Cardiac Impact Resulting From CAM Use

Introduction

Adams (2017) defines Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a general term that incorporates various healthcare modalities that stem from a variety of healing backgrounds. One of the fundamental principles of CAM is the preferment of cultural pluralism and directness to diverse cultural facets of illness and health. Over the past two decades, Israel has been one of the countries in the forefront of integrating CAM modalities into their healthcare functions and systems (Adams, 2017). As time goes by, many other countries have been able to incorporate the CAM knowledge in their nursing and medical career and profession as a means of improving the healthcare services as well as welfare improvements. This paper focuses on the impact of four CAM modalities, namely Ginseng, Hawthorn, L-Arigine and St. John's Wort, on the human cardiovascular system.

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Ginseng

Ginseng, a naturally growing root, has conventionally been used as a remedy for a number of medical conditions. Although a variety of other herbs are called ginseng for instance Siberian ginseng or eleuthero, they do not comprise of the active ingredient of ginsenosides. Ginseng stands out as one of the most recognized and adored medicinal herb whose importance in the medical field cannot be downplayed.

However, scientifically, the explicit benefits of ginseng for most of the conditions it is said to remedy have not been deeply researched. Zhang (2017) states that there are two main varieties of ginseng: Korean or Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Zhang (2017) also argues that the two different varieties have different effects to the cardiovascular system of humans, in addition, the two have variant side effects as well. In CAM modules such as Chinese medicine, American ginseng is seen as less effective as compared to the Asian variety. Zhang (2017) adds that recent in vivo and in vitro results indicate that ginseng has advantageous effects on vascular and cardiac diseases through efficacy, including anti-oxidation, modulation of ion channels, regulation of vasomotor function, and signal transduction, adjustment of blood pressure, improvement of lipid profiles, reduction in platelet adhesion and improvement in cardiac function.

However, using Ginseng also presents its downsides, these include; causing nervousness and insomnia, long term use of the herb has been found to cause dizziness, headaches and stomach upsets (Falci, 2016). Additionally, women using the herb have been reported to experience changes in their menstrual cycle. Patients using Ginseng have also been seen to experience allergic reactions, though this is not a definitive factor to rule out the herb's medical capabilities (Falci, 2016). With regard to interactions, Falci (2016) established that Ginseng can affect the blood sugar levels of a person. Hence patients taking diabetes medication should keep of Ginseng or consult their doctor first. In addition, Falci (2016) noted that Ginseng also interacts with depression medications, Warfarin in particular. The effects of Ginseng have also been seen to amplify in the presence of caffeine. To avoid side effects from ginseng, some experts propose that ginseng shouldn't be used for more than three months or sometimes just a few weeks at a time.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a plant, the berries, leaves, and flowers of hawthorn are the key components used in making medication (Zhang, 2017). As a CAM modality, Hawthorn is used for diseases of blood vessels and of the heart such as irregular heartbeat, chest pain and congestive heart failure (CHF) (Zhang, 2017). The plant is also used to remedy "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis), high cholesterol, both high blood pressure and low blood pressure. The hardening of arteries helps in controlling the bulging and bursting of the arteries which may lead to more casualties. Currently as Zhang (2017) argues in his research on CAM modalities, research puts forth that hawthorn might be effective in treating CHF (congestive heart failure). The researcher however adds that the research with regard to Hawthorn and its treatment of CHF is not complete. In addition, the plant's effectiveness in remedying other heart conditions is still unknown.

Hawthorn is beneficial to the cardiovascular system in that it can aid in improving the amount of blood flow out of the heart in the contraction cycle, widening the related blood vessels and increasing the transmission of nerve signals across the heart and other organs in the cardiovascular system. According to early research, other benefits of Hawthorne include blood pressure-lowering capabilities, due to a component of the plant called proanthocyanidin (Falci, 2016).

Hawthorn has been seen to be possibly safe for use for most adults, especially at short-term (up to 16 weeks) of use. Research has not clearly indicated if hawthorn is safe for long-term use. In some people, hawthorn can cause stomach upset, nausea, fatigue, headache, sweating, dizziness, insomnia, palpitations, agitation and nosebleeds. Hawthorn has been seen to interact with many prescription drugs used to treat heart disease (Falci, 2016). If a patient has a heart condition, it is recommended that they don't use hawthorn without the endorsement of their healthcare provider. Falci (2016) notes that Hawthorn has interacts with Digoxin, which is used in making the heart beat strongly. It was observed by Falci (2016) to increase the effects of Digoxin, which may be potentially fatal.

L-arginineBahall (2015) in his studies on cardiovascular medication says that Arginine has received a lot of attention for its possible heart benefits. This, the author says, is an essential finding as currently as approximately 85.6 million Americans are suffering from some kind of cardiovascular condition. The downsides of arginine are rare (Bahall, 2015). Arginine is abundant in multiple types of nutrients, and the human body can also manufacture it.

In the human body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a potent neurotransmitter that aids blood vessels ease and also increases circulation. There have been new research results that show that arginine may help improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart (Bahall, 2015). That may improve symptoms of chest pain or angina, clogged arteries and coronary artery disease. However as Bahall (2015) argues, there currently is no data on how the long-term use of arginine affects heart health or cholesterol, the scientific studies done so far are not decisive enough for specialists to make any firm commendations.

Not all studies on arginine have been optimistic (Bahall, 2015). A 2006 study indicated that arginine was not curative and that in-fact, it may be harmful when used in the treatment of heart attacks, especially if it is used in combination with standard heart treatment. In clinical trials, arginine has been used without harm with slight side effects for up to three months (Bahall, 2015). Possible side effects of Arginine include; diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating and gout. Arginine may also cause difficult breathing for people with asthma. Arginine has been seen to interact with certain medications that reduce blood pressure. It may also interact with certain heart medicines and drugs such as Viagra that are used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

St. John's Wart

Research by Bhika (2018) on St John's wort showed that the extract did not affect heart rate variability (HRV). Comparatively, substances organically close to the extract like amitriptyline, were found to significantly decrease it. St. John's wort was additionally found to have an effect on cognitive performance such as psychomotor coordination, choice reaction, short-term memory and responsiveness to distractive stimuli.

For patients suffering from conductive heart dysfunction or elderly patients, high-dose hypericum extract has been found to be safer as compared other tricyclic antidepressants (such as Imipramine, Elavil, and Amitrpytiline). Bhika (2018) argues that some researchers are discerning that St. John's wort may be indicated as a first line treatment for cardiac patients with depression.

Two new studies also propose it may aid patients to reduce the dose of platelet inhibitor Plavix, and aid its to work in the 20% of patients for whom the treatment was ineffective (Bhikha, 2018). A study using the platelet inhibitor clopidogrel established that 2 out of 10 patients under treatment of clopidogrel are poor responders, but in the said sample of 10 patients, 300 mg of hypericum for two weeks was established to have an increase of platelet inhibition of 20%. Additionally, no negative alteration was seen in patients on statin medications. Hypericum may be a good choice in poor responders (Bhikha, 2018), or to help lower the dose necessary in normal responders who are experiencing side effects.

References

Adams, J., Tovey, P., & Easthope, G. (2017). Mainstreaming complementary and alternative medicine: studies in social context. Routledge.

Bahall, M. (2015). Complementary and alternative medicine usage among cardiac patients: a descriptive study. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 15(1), 100.

Bhikha, R., & Glynn, J. (2018). The Pharmacological Action of Common Herbal Remedies. American Journal of Internal Medicine, 6(5), 99-107.

Falci, L., Shi, Z., & Greenlee, H. (2016). Peer Reviewed: Multiple Chronic Conditions and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among US Adults: Results From the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Preventing chronic disease, 13.

Zhang, X. L., Chen, M., Zhu, L. L., & Zhou, Q. (2017). Therapeutic risk and benefits of concomitantly using herbal medicines and conventional medicines: from the perspectives of evidence based on randomized controlled trials and clinical risk management. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017.