Using Medicinal Plants among Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

The use of medicinal plants (MP) is increasing among the general population and patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Simultaneous use of MP and cardiac medications can cause drug interactions and serious complications.

This study aimed to determine the frequency of MP use and its related factors among patients with CVD.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 patients with CVD in 2018. The patients were consecutively recruited from the cardiac care clinic in an Educational and Medical Center in Kashan City, Iran. The study data were collected using an MP use questionnaire, the related factors of the MP use questionnaire, and the belief and attitudes about herbal medicine inventory. For data analysis, the logistic regression analysis was performed.

The mean ± SD age of the participants was 56.91±10.64 years. Their mean ± SD time passed from CVD diagnosis was 8.30±9.07 years. The frequency of MP use over the past year was 90.5% (95% CI; 86.4%–94.6%). The significant related factors of MP use were female gender (OR = 4.80, 95% CI; 1.43–16.1, P = 0.011), positive family history of MP use (OR = 8.84, 95% CI; 2.62–29.86, P = 0.0001), and knowledge about herbal medicine (OR = 1.93, 95% CI; 1.13–3.30, P = 0.017).

MP use is highly prevalent among patients with CVD. MP-related counseling services should be provided to patients with CVD.