The American Heart Association released a scientific statement Dec. 8 recommending physicians ask patients with heart failure if they are using alternative treatments such as supplements and diets.
Research reveals that although roughly one-third of patients with heart failure use complementary and alternative medicines, patients often do not mention them to their physician, according to ABC News.
Meanwhile, the AHA said physicians and other healthcare professionals do not often routinely ask their patients about their use of complementary medicines, such as dietary supplements, or document this use in medical records.
This lack of disclosure can be risky for patients as certain alternative medicines may interact with prescribed medications or cause adverse effects. In its statement, the AHA recommended physicians consistently ask their patients about alternative medicines to prevent these risks.