Conventional and Complementary Healthcare Utilization Among US Adults With Cardiovascular Disease or Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Nationally Representative Survey

Abstract

Background Cardiovascular diseases ( CVDs ) and their risk factors need guideline‐oriented treatment to provide the best benefit for patients. These guidelines include recommendations for regular checkups, realized by general medical practitioners. In addition, individuals with CVD or CVD risk factors tend to use complementary methods for their condition. There is limited information on the association between complementary healthcare utilization and the adherence to recommended conventional health care. Methods and Results In this cross‐sectional analysis of the nationally representative 2017 National Health Interview Survey (n=26 742; response rate 80.7%) we examined the prevalence of conventional and complementary healthcare utilization within the past 12 months in individuals with CVD and/or CVD risk factors and the interactions between the two categories of health care. Of all participants, 38.1% reported risk factors for CVD and 11.4% a CVD diagnosis (groups show an overlap). Overall prevalence of visits to conventional and complementary medicine providers and the use of mind–body medicine was high within the population analyzed. Individuals with CVD and/or CVD risk factors using complementary health care were as likely or more likely to consult general practitioners ( CVD : adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.17; 95% CI, 0.93–1.47; CVD risk: aOR, 1.21; 95% CI , 1.05–1.39) and medical specialists ( CVD : aOR, 1.38; 95% CI , 1.17–1.64; CVD risk: aOR, 1.42; 95% CI , 1.28–1.58) than those not using complementary health care. Those using complementary health care were as likely to adhere to medical checkup as those not using complementary health care. Conclusions Complementary healthcare utilization use was not associated with a reduced adherence to conventional health care and recommended checkups. The potential positive association of complementary and conventional healthcare utilization needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Factors associated with the use of complementary therapies in Taiwanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study

“…The remaining 11 factors were significantly associated with various types of complementary therapies. Of these 14 factors, middle adulthood and higher educational level have consistently been observed in previous studies of complementary therapies among patients with chronic diseases [ 29 , 46 , 47 ]. As mentioned above, a few factors might be related to a healthy lifestyle, including no alcohol use in the past year, no smoking in the past year, engagement in vigorous exercise in the past year, and a sleep duration of 8 hours or more per day.…”

Concurrent use of Chinese herbal medicine and anticoagulants may reduce major bleeding events

“…For instance, an analysis of data on CAM use among 10,572 respondents in the 2002 United States National Health Interview Survey found that over one-third of those with cardiovascular disease had used CAMs in the previous 12 months while receiving cardiac medications [ 3 ]. Of patients visited to CAM providers, 38.1% was reported risk factors for cardiovascular disease and 11.4% had a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease within the population of US adults [ 5 ].…”

The Future of Medicine: Frontiers in Integrative Health and Medicine

“…There is inadequate education of physicians and other health professionals about CAM methods, and high interest amongst medical professionals in CAM education according to the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health [22]. New clinical practice guidelines from conventional medical organizations are starting to include considerations of CAM practices, e.g., in cardiovascular health [23], cancer [24], pain [25] and mental health [26].…”

“…There is inadequate education of physicians and other health professionals about CAM methods, and high interest amongst medical professionals in CAM education according to the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health [22]. New clinical practice guidelines from conventional medical organizations are starting to include considerations of CAM practices, e.g., in cardiovascular health [23], cancer [24], pain [25] and mental health [26]. At present, the growing use of integrative medicine has stimulated the scientific community, national and global policy organizations to investigate the clinical efficacy, mechanisms of action, healthcare costs, standards, protocols and policy implications of these therapies [27][28][29].…”