Hello doctor, I have undergone angioplasty (2 stents) before four months. The doctor prescribed Clopitab 75 in the morning and Metoprolol 25 mg in night. I am having a fast heartbeat of 84 to 100. Can I take Hawthorn or Motherwort or Valerian? What should be the dosage and where will this be available in?
Hello. You have ischemic heart disease so your heart rate should be kept low as much as possible to prevent from further deterioration. For this purpose, you are taking Metoprolol 25 mg one time daily still your heart rate is high. Moreover, you are asking about some herbs or herbal products for heart disease. Regarding these herbs, there are no consistent results in clinical trials for heart conditions. Moreover, these products have not been studied widely as for as there beneficial effects on ischemic heart disease are concerned. Also, their side effects have not been assessed in the long term. So, in such case, these herbs cannot be recommended provided there are many evidence-based medicines available for reducing morbidity and mortality one of which is Metoprolol you are taking. There many trials of Metoprolol in ischemic heart disease and heart failure which shows beneficial effects. Regarding your heart rate, I recommend to increase the dose of Metoprolol. There are two forms of Metoprolol available in the market, short-acting Metoprolol Tartrate and long-acting Metoprolol Succinate. Hope you are taking long-acting Metoprolol Succinate because short-acting Tartrate form is to be taken two to three times per 24 hours to reduce heart rate and reap benefits. I advise you to take long-acting Succinate form 50 mg per 24 hours to reduce heart rate. Apart from these, adopt a healthy lifestyle, take a heart-healthy diet low in salt, low in trans fats, low in saturated fats, high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, poultry, low-fat dairy products, dry fruits, legumes, lentils, etc. Please send me your angioplasty and echo report and all medicines you are taking so that I may advise you proper medicine dosages and guide you further regarding your heart.