Because its active ingredients can improve heart function, hawthorn has long been used to treat heart disease, including heart failure. In people with congestive heart failure, the heart muscle becomes too weak to effectively pump blood to the rest of the body. It is a serious condition that should not be self-treated. Always speak with your doctor before taking hawthorn supplements to improve your heart function.
Effectiveness
Some medical research suggests supplements containing hawthorn may help people who have mild heart failure, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports. Furthermore, some evidence also suggests hawthorn supplements can help alleviate symptoms of heart failure and also make exercise easier, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports.
Chemical Compounds
The hawthorn plant contains antioxidant flavonoids that help blood flow, dilate blood vessels and protect blood vessels from damage. Earlier uses of the hawthorn plant typically relied on the berries, but today the flowers and leaves are more typically used because they contain higher concentrations of flavonoids, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports.
Dosage
When used to treat congestive heart failure, the dosage typically ranges from 300 mg to 600 mg three times a day of a standardized extract containing 2 percent to 3 percent of the beneficial flavonoids, the Langone Medical Center at New York University advises. You should take the supplement for at least six weeks to realize its potential benefits, and in some cases it may take several months to see an improvement. Always ask your doctor for a dosage recommendation before taking hawthorn supplements to treat heart failure.
Side Effects
Many people who take hawthorn supplements experience no bothersome side effects, and it is considered safe when taken as directed. However, other users develop side effects such as headaches, dizziness and gastrointestinal upset. Heart palpitations or a rapid heartbeat also may develop. Always consult with your doctor about potential side effects before using hawthorn supplements.
Medication Interactions
Do not use hawthorn supplements to treat congestive heart failure if you also are taking prescription drugs for the condition unless you are under the direct care of a doctor. When taken with drugs that affect the heart and blood vessels, the effects of the medicines can be amplified. Among the drugs you should not take with hawthorn are calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, digoxin and phenylephrine, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises. Always talk to your doctor about all the drugs and supplements you take before adding another to your regimen.
