From the Desk of Dr. Stephen Sinatra Metabolic Cardiology: An Integrative Strategy in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure Part 2 Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S., C.B.T Reprinted from Alternative Therapies May/June 2009, Vol. 15, No. 3 257 East Center Street Phone: 800-228-1507 Email:
[email protected] Manchester, CT 06040 Fax: 860-643-2531 www.heartmdinstitute.com This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#10786791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com. review article METABOLIC CARDIOLOGY: AN INTEGRATIVE STRATEGY IN THE TREATMENT OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, FACC, FACN Congestive heart failure (CHF) and dilated cardiomyopathy are The purpose of this article is to introduce metabolic cardi- life-threatening conditions in which the heart muscle is so weak ology as a vital therapeutic strategy using nutritional biochemi- that effective pulsatile action is compromised. Pulmonary vas- cal interventions that preserve and promote adenosine cular congestion and swelling in the lower extremities as well as triphosphate (ATP) production. Treatment options that incor- in the liver and lining of the gastrointestinal tract frequently porate metabolic interventions targeted to preserve energy sub- cause overwhelming symptoms and disability. Millions of strates (D-ribose) or accelerate ATP turnover (L-carnitine and Americans suffer from CHF, and more than 500 000 cases are coenzyme Q10) are indicated for at-risk populations or patients diagnosed annually. Cardiovascular diseases such as hyperten- at any stage of CHF. The integration of these metabolic supports sion with left ventricular hypertrophy, valvular heart disease, provides the missing link in CHF treatment that has been elud- coronary artery disease, myocarditis, and various cardiomyopa- ing physicians for decades.