If you’re thinking about trying alternative medicine to treat your heart disease, speak to your doctor first. Some herbs and dietary supplements can have serious side effects, and a popular treatment called chelation therapy could put your health at risk.

Donald Novey, MD, a family physician and natural medicine specialist in Chicago, recommends “that people either consult with their physician, or see an integrative cardiologist who is a heart specialist and knows about the safe use of herbs and supplements.” He cautions against using supplements for heart disease without first discussing it with your doctor, since there’s the possibility “of failing to treat a heart condition properly because herbs and supplements are being used [instead of] of better treatment.”

Alternative Medicine for Heart Disease: The Key Is Prevention

Conventional and alternative medicine experts agree that lifestyle choices can influence your risk of developing heart disease, the nation’s No. 1 killer. “Exercise is cheap, and there are no drug interactions,” Dr. Novey says. A diet that’s low in saturated fat and high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids can also help guard against heart disease.

According to Novey, omega-3 fatty acids are “one of the most outstanding cardiac risk reducers out there.” Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease; boost high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good” cholesterol; and act as a mild blood thinner, which may help stave off blood clots.

To get those omega-3s, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating fish at least twice a week or taking natural fish oil. People with heart rhythm problems should talk to their cardiologist before taking fish oil capsules, however, since these supplements may exacerbate underlying conditions that cause irregular heartbeats.

Reducing stress is key to controlling blood pressure and helping to prevent heart disease. Alternative medicine like deep breathing, yoga, and tai chi are good stress-relieving activities. “One of the biggest gifts you can give yourself is to learn how to relax,” Novey says.

Alternative Medicine for Heart Disease: Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is a medical treatment commonly used to rid the body of heavy metals, like treating lead or mercury poisoning. Its use in treating heart disease is controversial and questionable.

During chelation treatments, an amino acid called EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) is injected. It binds to heavy metals and minerals and leaves through the urine. People who support the use of chelation therapy for heart disease say EDTA can also remove the calcium deposits that help form dangerous arterial blockages.

Typically, chelation therapy for heart disease requires many infusions over the span of four weeks and costs thousands of dollars, which is not covered by insurance. The FDA, the AHA, the National Institutes of Health, and the American College of Cardiology, among others, say there’s no proof that chelation therapy helps to treat or prevent heart disease.

According to the AHA, the EDTA used in chelation therapy can lead to serious complications, including kidney failure, low blood pressure, seizures, and difficulty breathing. Chelation therapy has even been associated with several deaths.

A large, long-term study is being conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of chelation therapy for heart disease. Until the study is completed, the known risks of chelation therapy for heart disease appear to outweigh any potential benefits.

Alternative Medicine for Heart Disease: Dietary Treatments

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. Novey says certain foods and supplements can help you manage your cholesterol:

  • Niacin. This B vitamin works in the liver to reduce the fatty acids that form cholesterol. Niacin can help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels while boosting HDL. Potential side effects include nausea, intense flushing, and liver problems. Niacin should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision since special blood tests are necessary to monitor for liver damage.
  • Red yeast rice. Researchers have found that this Chinese supplement can lower LDL and triglycerides. Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, which is a statin — a chemical compound that lowers cholesterol. In fact, monacolin K is the principal ingredient in the prescription cholesterol drug lovastatin (Mevacor).The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned certain brands of red yeast rice due to concerns that the statin levels can cause muscle, liver, and kidney damage. The FDA ordered manufacturers to remove the statin in red yeast rice sold in the United States, but several brands still contain it. Talk to your doctor before taking red yeast rice to treat your heart disease, since it can interact with prescription drugs.
  • Plant sterols (phytosterols). Sterols are naturally found in nuts, fruits, vegetables, and some vegetable oils. They have been shown to help lower LDL and are now being added to food products such as juice, mayonnaise, and margarine.
  • Oat fiber. The soluble fiber in oats likely helps the body get rid of excess cholesterol, which can improve heart disease. The American Dietetic Association recommends three grams of soluble fiber a day to help lower cholesterol and possibly lower blood pressure.

Novey recommends eating natural, unprocessed foods for optimal heart health. “Nature has this all figured out — changing the food changes what nature intended.”