The integrated approach for the treatment of cardiac failure and arrhythmias involves recognizing the factors hindering the patient’s healing process and defining a path of care that meets the patient’s needs. Along with conventional therapy, we have to control those factors that may affect the delicate cardiovascular balance (correct management of hypertension and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, attention to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and calcium channel blockers), and to provide adequate indications focused on patient’s lifestyle: cessation of smoking and alcohol use; proper diet (Mediterranean diet) and aerobic physical activity to achieve an adequate weight; salt and water restriction if necessary; use mind-body techniques for proper stress and depression management.
Keywords: Integrative medicine, phytotherapy, stress, lifestyle, cardiovascular prevention, cardiovascular rehabilitation.
Carlo Dal Lin, Raffaele Migliorini, Marco Silvestro, Sabino Iliceto, Francesco Tona, Integrated approach to the treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias in "PNEI REVIEW" 2/2017, pp. 81-90, DOI:10.3280/PNEI2017-002008