05.01.07
Hawthorn, a flowering shrub of the rose family, has an extensive history of use in cardiovascular disease, dating back to the 1st Century. Modern day animal and in vitro studies suggest that flavonoids and other pharmacologically active compounds found in hawthorn may synergistically improve performance of the damaged myocardium, and further, may prevent or reduce symptoms of coronary artery disease.
Numerous well-conducted human clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy of hawthorn leaf and flower in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I-II heart failure (characterized by slight or no limitation of physical activity). An international, multi-center randomized controlled trial is currently underway to investigate long-term benefits.
Hawthorn is widely used in Europe for treating New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I-II heart failure, with standardization of its leaves and flowers. Overall, hawthorn appears to be safe and well tolerated, and in accordance with its indication, best used under the supervision of a medical professional.
The therapeutic equivalence of hawthorn extracts to drugs considered standard-of-care for heart failure (such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, or beta-adrenergic receptor blockers) remains to be established, as does the effect of concomitant use of hawthorn with these drugs. Nonetheless, hawthorn is a potentially beneficial therapy for patients who cannot/will not take prescription drugs, and may offer additive benefits to prescription drug therapy.
Numerous well-conducted human clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy of hawthorn leaf and flower in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I-II heart failure (characterized by slight or no limitation of physical activity). An international, multi-center randomized controlled trial is currently underway to investigate long-term benefits.
Hawthorn is widely used in Europe for treating New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I-II heart failure, with standardization of its leaves and flowers. Overall, hawthorn appears to be safe and well tolerated, and in accordance with its indication, best used under the supervision of a medical professional.
The therapeutic equivalence of hawthorn extracts to drugs considered standard-of-care for heart failure (such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, or beta-adrenergic receptor blockers) remains to be established, as does the effect of concomitant use of hawthorn with these drugs. Nonetheless, hawthorn is a potentially beneficial therapy for patients who cannot/will not take prescription drugs, and may offer additive benefits to prescription drug therapy.