Hawthorn Extract
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In Germany, its use has been approved for use in patients with NYHA class II heart failure symptoms, and is marketed as a prescription medication.
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Extract believed to have positive inotropic and negative chronotropic cardiac properties and may increase coronary blood flow. It also possesses antiarrhythmic properties.
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Hawthorn extract showed to significantly increase maximum workload compared with placebo. Also reduced dyspnea and fatigue.
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In another recent study showed to aggravate arrythmias and had no effect on coronary blood flow.
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If a patient is also taking digitalis glycosides, one must monitor these patients closely.
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May cause GI symptoms, palpitations, chest pain, vertigo at high doses of 900-1800 mg/d.
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Hawthorn extract can be recommended as an adjunct to improve symptoms of patients with chronic heart failure. Most effective dose is unknown, but above studies used 160 mg/.