Study Questions Evidence Behind Heart Therapies
New research reported in the Wall Street Journal reveals that only 11% of more than 2700 recommendations approved by cardiologists are supported by high quality research. Harlan Krumholz, a cardiologist at Yale University School of Medicine says, “Treatment decisions are often made very dogmatically even when the level of evidence isn’t very strong.” Even when studies are available, these are not done on patients with complicated illnesses where the clear recommendation may be most important. Also, guideline writers need to have expertise in the field, but often have possible conflict of interest, as they consult for the industry or product for which they are providing recommendations.
My take on this information: Years ago, the Institute of Medicine reported the figure of questionable therapies accepted and used as well-researched treatments as being around 20%. The 11% figure in this report is even below the 20% figure. Some treatment options are difficult to research and quantify effectively: who wants to be in the placebo group of heart bypass surgery—having their chest opened up and nothing done? But here’s the thing: when there isn’t sufficient research, and research options on human guinea pigs are limited, why not follow the maxim to “first do no harm?” Physicians and hospitals should first look seriously at non-drug and non-surgical approaches that are available. Herbal side effects are so much less than drug side effects, and often there are head-to-head studies showing they both work equally well. In many cases the herbs are even more effective than the drugs with the side effects. We should all have and should exercise our right to choose the care we need and want, and not feel bullied or guilty in our choices.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
3 responses so far ↓
1 Ray // Mar 30, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Thank you for answering my email. I checked out some of the herbs you suggested as an alternative to warfin. The interest sites I looked at indicated that not much study has been done on herbs you suggested as a substitute for warfin. I will continue to look at your columns for any new information.
Again, thanks for the advice.
2 Ian G.Spark // Apr 6, 2009 at 4:58 am
I had a triple bypass 8 years ago. I am having similiar conditions develop again. This is a heaviness and dull ache in the chest after a stiff walk of about quarter of a mile. If I go slower it eases a bit. If I stop, it goes away after about 5 mins.
I do not want to go through a another triple bypass.
3 Dr. Stan Gardner // Apr 20, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Ian, It sounds like the vascular disease is returning, and affecting your heart. Find someone that does IV EDTA chelation therapy. Stay off all pro-inflammatory triggers, like sugar, aspartame, caffeine and trans-fatty acids.
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