Cardiomegaly is the medical term used to define an enlarged heart. An enlarged heart can occur for a number of reasons, including high blood pressure. While you cannot cure an enlarged heart using dietary supplements, taking steps to control your blood pressure may help improve your condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. Flaxseed is a dietary supplement that may help lower your blood pressure, although research confirming this claim has had mixed results. However, consult your doctor before using dietary supplements.
About Flaxseed
Flaxseed, also referred to as linseed, is a type of seed used for dietary and medicinal purposes. The flax plant produces seeds and oil used in dietary supplements that may help heart disease, lower cholesterol and protect the body from certain types of cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Flaxseed oil contains beneficial nutrients, including fiber and alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, which are important components of a healthy diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to lower blood pressure in people who suffer from high blood pressure. Flaxseed can be used in whole, ground seed or oil form.
Cardiomegaly and High Blood Pressure
Cardiomegaly is a dangerous condition because it often goes undiagnosed. You may experience no symptoms, or you may experience shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness or an abnormal heart rhythm. While there are a number of possible causes for cardiomegaly, high blood pressure tops the list as one of the major risk factors. Having high blood pressure forces your heart to work harder to pump blood through your arteries, which puts an increased strain on your heart. This can cause a thickening of your heart muscle, says the Mayo Clinic.
Flaxseed for High Blood Pressure
Following a balanced diet that is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce high blood pressure. Because flaxseed is high in both fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, it may be a beneficial supplement for patients with cardiomegaly who suffer from high blood pressure. While no studies have specifically examined the uses of flaxseed for patients with cardiomegaly, some research has shown that flaxseed may have benefits for patients with high blood pressure. However, some research has shown that flaxseed provides no benefits.
Clinical Evidence
One clinical study, published in 2007 in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition," showed that flaxseed oil supplementation resulted in significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in dyslipidaemic male study participants when compared to a control group. However, another study, published in the January 2005 issue of the "Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics" found no benefit of flaxseed consumption for lowering blood pressure in male study participants.
Considerations
It's unclear if flaxseed can help lower blood pressure in patients with cardiomegaly. Do not attempt to self-treat your symptoms with dietary supplements. If you are considering using flaxseeds or flaxseed oil for high blood pressure, consult your doctor.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Enlarged Heart: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Dietary Supplementation with Flaxseed Oil Lowers Blood Pressure in Dyslipidaemic Patients
- Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Effect of Flaxseed Consumption on Blood Pressure, Serum Lipids, Hemopoietic System and Liver and Kidney Enzymes in Healthy Humans
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