Cardiovascular disease describes a wide range of heart and blood vessel
diseases and includes conditions such as congenial heart defects, coronary artery
disease, arrhythmias and more. Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer of men and
women in the United States and in other countries as well. Natural products play an
important role as nutritional supplements and provide potential health benefits in
cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia,
arrhythmias, and heart failure. Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the world’s oldest
forms of medicine, with a history of more than 2,500 years. Chinese herbs and basic
principles regarding Chinese traditional medicine such as “yin and yang” balance as
well as disease were interpreted in this chapter. Compiling data from experimental,
epidemiological and clinical studies indicates that dietary nutrients have profound
cardioprotective effects in the primary as well as secondary prevention of coronary
heart disease. The mechanism of cardioprotection produced by herbs and dietary
nutritional supplements such as tea, omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids (fish oil and fish-based
products), and garlic in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders have
been discussed in this chapter, with the emphasis of epidemiological and clinical
studies. Based on the intriguing results of various studies, prophylactic and therapeutic
potential of natural products have been suggested. The supplementation of natural
products needs to be considered in all populations who have high prevalence of
cardiovascular disorders.
Keywords: Arrhythmia, cardiovascular disorder, coenzyme q10, congestive heart
failure, garlic, herbal medicine, hypertension, omega-3 fatty acids, tea, vitamin E.
