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Misconceptions About Cardiac Chelation Therapy

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, taking the life of one person every 33 seconds. The term heart disease refers to a variety of troubling heart conditions, most notably coronary artery disease (CAD), which decreases blood flow to the heart, often resulting in a heart attack. Traditional treatments include lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures. Heart disease patients also seek out a complementary health approach called cardiac chelation therapy. 

Chelation therapy has been used for many years to treat heavy metal poisoning and is now being used to help prevent heart disease by eliminating plaque in the arteries. However, misconceptions circulate about cardiac chelation therapy, causing many individuals to be reluctant to seek the treatment. Here, Balance of Life Clinic, a clinic in Medina, Ohio, that takes an integrative, whole-body approach to health and wellness, debunks common myths regarding cardiac chelation therapy. 

There Are No Studies Involving Chelation Therapy

One of the biggest misconceptions regarding cardiac chelation therapy is that there is no scientific evidence proving its effectiveness in helping treat patients with heart disease. However, this is not the case. A large-scale study to discover the effects of using chelation when having coronary disease has been completed. The study is named the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) and was sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The study included 1,708 participants aged 50 or older who have had at least one heart attack. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 40 treatments with ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) or a placebo, plus either high-dose vitamins and minerals or placebo pills. Throughout the entirety of the study, participants were not informed which treatment they were receiving. Overall, the study found chelation therapy produced a modest reduction in cardiovascular events.

Chelation Therapy Has No Benefits When Treating Heart Disease

Another misconception about cardiac chelation therapy is that it does not offer any benefits, leading many to not consider it for treating heart disease. Contrary to this belief, cardiac chelation therapy can provide several advantages, including the removal of plaque buildup from the arteries. This is especially beneficial for patients with heart disease as it lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

A type of intravenous therapy, chelation therapy frequently reduces pain and swelling, providing some relief to patients who often experience the pain of chronic inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, scleroderma, and lupus. More potential benefits of chelation therapy include:

• Helping boost cognitive function, such as memory, learning, attention, and decision-making 
• Restoring energy levels and reducing fatigue 
• Improving cholesterol levels
• Counter complications of diabetes mellitus

Chelation Therapy Is Painful 

Because chelation therapy involves an IV, many patients are concerned that treatments are painful and therefore are uncertain whether or not it is the right approach for them. Its true cardiac chelation therapy is administered intravenously over several sessions, but patients experience very little to no discomfort throughout the procedure. 

The process involves edetate disodium entering the bloodstream to bind with and attract calcium deposits in the arteries. This is critical since these deposits are part of the plaque that obstructs blood flow to the heart. 

From there, the chelating agent cleans out the calcium deposits, reducing the risk of coronary artery disease and other heart problems. Cardiac chelation therapy also helps to slow down atherosclerosis, commonly referred to as the hardening of the arteries. 

Receive Cardiac Chelation Therapy at Balance of Life Clinic

At Balance of Life Clinic, we take an integrative approach to health and strive to balance the body through natural therapies and individualized treatment plans. Our team is pleased to offer patients located throughout the northeast Ohio area health management services, including cardiac chelation therapy. This integrative complementary approach can help patients with heart disease lead a healthier, more productive life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for cardiac chelation therapy or to learn about our other IV therapy options.