scholarly journals Symptoms of Intermittent Claudication and Decreased Walking Tolerance in Patients Suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease can be Improved with a Simple Herbal Supplement

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ping-Chung Leung ◽  
Chook Ping ◽  
Kwok Chi Yui Timothy ◽  
Ping-Chung Leung ◽  
Woo Kam Sang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Peripheral Arterial Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Arterial Disease ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Pragmatic Clinical Trials ◽  
Peripheral Arterial

Introduction: We have developed an innovative herbal formula containing two herbs of popular use for the supplementation of cardiovascular health. Three clinical trials, viz. on patients with coronary arterial obstruction, hypertension, and post-menopausal borderline hyperlipidaemia, have been done, all showing promising results detected in ultrasonography as diminished intima media thickness (IMT), a surrogate marker recommended for clinical trials related to cardiovascular health. 49+49 patients with known peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were treated with twin formula or placebo group for 24 weeks. Assessment using ultrasonography showed thinning down of the carotid intima (2.67%) only in the treatment group. Maximal walking distance also increased by 21.8% in the treatment group compared with 7.2% in the placebo group (p=0.499). Discussion: The positive results in the PAD study as well as in the other studies done previously demonstrated the effectiveness of the twin formula in the maintenance of cardiovascular health. It is safe and offers direct protection of the internal environment of the artery while at the same time carries the multiple roles of anti-inflammation, anti-oxygenation and anti-fibrosis, as were shown in in vitro and animal bioactivity studies. Conclusion and Outlook: The twin formula offers a good example of evidence-based medicinal supplements with specific functions. Its developmental process also offers a more comprehensive way to test traditional wisdom and practice through pragmatic clinical trials in the attempt to properly introduce it to modern health care practice.

scholarly journals Heat therapy vs. supervised exercise therapy for peripheral arterial disease: a 12-wk randomized, controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (6) ◽  
pp. H1495-H1506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley P. Akerman ◽  
Kate N. Thomas ◽  
Andre M. van Rij ◽  
E. Dianne Body ◽  
Mesfer Alfadhel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Peripheral Arterial Disease ◽  
Water Immersion ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Arterial Disease ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Heat Therapy ◽  
Peripheral Arterial

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by lower limb atherosclerosis impairing blood supply and causing walking-induced leg pain or claudication. Adherence to traditional exercise training programs is poor due to these symptoms despite exercise being a mainstay of conservative treatment. Heat therapy improves many cardiovascular health outcomes, so this study tested if this was a viable alternative cardiovascular therapy for PAD patients. Volunteers with PAD were randomized to 12 wk of heat ( n = 11; mean age 76 ± 8 yr, BMI 28.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2, 4 females) or exercise ( n = 11; 74 ± 10 yr, 28.5 ± 6.8 kg/m2, 3 females). Heat involved spa bathing at ∼39°C, 3–5 days/wk for ≤30 min, followed by ≤30 min of callisthenics. Exercise involved ≤90 min of supervised walking and gym-based exercise, 1–2 days/wk. Following the interventions, total walking distance during a 6-min walk test increased (from ∼350 m) by 41 m (95% CI: [13, 69], P = 0.006) regardless of group, and pain-free walking distance increased (from ∼170 m) by 43 m ([22, 63], P < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure was reduced more following heat (−7 mmHg, [−4, −10], P < 0.001) than following exercise (−3 mmHg, [0, −6], P = 0.078), and diastolic and mean arterial pressure decreased by 4 mmHg in both groups ( P = 0.002). There were no significant changes in blood volume, ankle-brachial index, or measures of vascular health. There were no differences in the improvement in functional or blood pressure outcomes between heat and exercise in individuals with PAD. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Heat therapy via hot-water immersion and supervised exercise both improved walking distance and resting blood pressure in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients over 12 wk. Adherence to heat therapy was excellent, and the heat intervention was well tolerated. The results of the current study indicate that heat therapy can improve functional ability and has potential as an effective cardiovascular conditioning tool for individuals with PAD. Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/heat-therapy-vs-exercise-in-peripheral-arterial-disease/ .

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