Edited by a world-renowned clinical cardiologist, pharmacologist and clinical researcher, along with two major figures in complementary medicine practice, Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Cardiovascular Disease is the first text to discuss all the major Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practices that have been used for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. The book includes discussions of the potential benefits and risks of alternative therapies for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, as well as their integration into standard medical care. Therapies covered include the use of nutriceuticals (vitamins, amino acid, and natural antioxidants and minerals), herbal remedies (plus potential herbal remedy-drug interactions), various psychological and relaxation approaches (mind/body therapies, hypnosis, biofeedback and cognitive therapy, etc.), various alternative medicine disciplines (including QiGong and TaiChi, Ayurveda and Yoga), Native American practices, homeopathy, osteopathy, and specific modalities (such as acupuncture, auriculotherapy, chelation, aromatherapy, music therapy, sauna, meditation and prayer, animal-assisted therapy, Shiatsu and massage, magnetotherapy, and spinal cord stimulation). Chapters on specific approaches and therapies are organized to discuss the history and rationale behind each alternative practice, the strengths and weaknesses of the available clinical studies, the potential risks and benefits, and how the therapy might be integrated into a conventional medical practice.

Key Features

• Edited by a prominent clinical cardiologist and researcher, each chapter provides authoritative and evidence-based assessment of CAM practice in relation to cardiovascular medicine.
• This is the first comprehensive text on CAM as used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
• Provides professionals with all the appropriate information to answer questions from patients about CAM treatments.
• Coverage of a wide variety of therapies makes this book practical for clinical use.
• Each chapter uses an evidence-based approach to describe a specific CAM practice or approach and then backs the information up with available research.
• All chapters are organized in a similar fashion with appropriate use of tables, figures, and supplementary critical dialogue.
• Introductory chapters on placebo and medicolegal implications of CAM practice gives readers more information on how to prepare those who are interested in integrating CAM care and answers questions about legal ramifications.
• Includes critical discussions on nutriceuticals (vitamins & supplements) and herbal medicine as they relate to cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention.
• Covers both the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, making this book the most comprehensive and useful reference available on the subject of CAM and cardiac illness.
• Covers a wide variety of CAM modalities, approaches, and regional/indigenous practices and therapies, giving the practitioner access to the many therapies that might be useful in his or her practice.
• A detailed chapter on the Columbia-Presbyterian Integrative Medicine program demonstrates how a clinician can implement a CAM program for care and research purposes in a hospital-clinic setting.