Simultaneous effect of one-month crataegus supplementation and rehabilitation program on cardiac contractile strength, blood pressure, heart rate and functional capacity of patients with heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most prevalent and debilitating diseases of the current era, which is the leading cause of high mortality rates in human. This study aims to investigate the simultaneous effect of crataegus supplementation and a 4-week cardiac rehabilitation program on ejection fraction (EF), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and functional capacity in patients with heart failure. 30 patients with heart failure (EF between 10 to 30%) with an average age of 50 to 75 voluntarily participated in the present study and randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 10), crataegus+exercise (cr+e), crataegus (cr), and control (c) groups. The cr+e and cr groups received the crataegus extract for one month. cr+e group did rehabilitation exercises for one month. The c group had their usual lifestyle and treatment without any regular exercise or supplement. Before and after the project, all subjects were tested for vital signs, (electrocardiogram) ECG, echocardiography, and a 6-minute walking test (6MWT). The findings showed a significant increase in EF in the cr+e group after 4 weeks (p <0.00). Results of 6MWT increased after 4 weeks in cr+e and cr groups (p <0.05) and BP and HR was improved in both groups. Results indicate that 4 weeks of exercise program along with crataegus supplement will lead to the reduction of heart risk factors in patients with heart failure by increasing the contractile strength of the heart, lowering blood pressure and improving functional capacity.