Greetings Menny:
I found no warnings that Rhodiola Rosea should be avoided by
individuals with pacemakers. However, I urge you to confirm with your
physician that the ingestion of Rhodiola Rosea will not adversely
react with any prescription medications that you are currently taking.
When taking prescription medicines, it's always best to ask your
doctor before adding vitamins, minerals and herbs to your health
regimen.
A reference to research on at
http://www.firstendurance.com/rhodiola.html states "Recent clinical
research supports the energizing and anti-hypoxic effects claimed by
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Russian researchers. In the 1986
study by Kuruov it was concluded that Rhodiola extended life
significantly in states of hypoxia. Rhodiola exhibited this effect
through a lowering of arterial pressure, reduced heart rate and
lengthening the phases of cardiac contractions. (Kurukov 1986)"
At http://www.go-symmetry.com/info/rhodiola-rosea.htm is the
information "Cardioprotective Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea - Eksp Klin
Farmakologie 1994 - In a Russian study, an extract of Rhodiola rosea
was examined for its effects on the pattern of stress-induced cardiac
damage which was measured by enzyme accumulation in the heart.
Rhodiola rosea was found to prevent stress induced cardiac damage.
Simultaneously, the extract was determined to prevent both stress
induced release of protiens and higher enzyme levels, which can
ultimately damage heart tissue. The findings suggest antistressor and
cardioprotective benefits of Rhodiola rosea without harmful effects on
the heart."
Also, please read the research information on Rhodiola Rosea available
at http://smart-nutrition.net/Rhodiola-rosea.htm
Regarding pacemakers, they are designed to deliver a steady stream of
electrical impulses to assist in a regular and healthy heartbeat.
Hypothetically, if a pacemaker is keeping the heartbeat regular, then
taking Rhodiola Rosea shouldn't have any effect on the pacemaker
itself (because the pacemaker is regulating the heartbeat).
"How does a pacemaker work?
A pacemaker consists of a generator, which houses the batteries, as
well as instructions concerning the appropriate target heart rate;
Leads, which connect the generator to the heart. When the heart is not
beating fast enough, the pacemaker stimulates it. On the other hand,
if the heart is beating too quickly, the pacemaker turns off
momentarily until it is needed again."
From http://jhhs.client.web-health.com/web-health/topics/GeneralHealth/generalhealthsub/generalhealth/cardiovascular/pacemaker.html
So, hypothetically, it would appear that Rhodiola Rosea would not
affect a pacemaker in doing its job and, again, I suggest you ask your
physician this question, too, and consider his response.
Thank you for the opportunity to answer this question and should you
require any clarification of the links or information I have provided,
please request it and I will be happy to respond.
Best regards,
journalist-ga
SEARCH STRATECY:
"Rhodiola Rosea" heart
"Rhodiola Rosea" heart rate
"Rhodiola Rosea" slow heart rate
"Rhodiola Rosea" pacemaker
how does a pacemaker work |
Request for Answer Clarification by
menny-ga
on
30 Jul 2003 06:24 PDT
A very comprehensive answer and so, thanks for that. I only have to
clarify one issue and that is if the rhodiola slows the heart beat to
the point where the pacemaker is activated (It kicks in 50% of the
time), am I over-stressing the heart and engaging the pacemaker
needlessly?. Also, when the rhodiola slows the heart beat, is that
within post-exercise parameters, as in: the rhodiola is returning the
heart beat to a normal pre-exercise state or, that the rhodiola slows
the heart throughout the time the herb is in the system?
Many thanks for your time
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Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
30 Jul 2003 07:52 PDT
I'm happy you are pleased so far with my research. When I searched
the term above in my search strategy *"Rhodiola Rosea" pacemaker*
(without asterisks), I found nothing to indicate any problems this
herb might have for persons with pacemakers. There were only 2
results when coupling the herb name with the word pacemaker. Please
see ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22Rhodiola+Rosea%22+pacemaker&btnG=Google+Search
to view those 2 results (neither was applicable to your query).
Here is an additional reference to this herb and the heart:
From http://www.medicine-plants.com/articles/78/
"Part of R. rosea's effectiveness as a stress adaptogen is due to its
cardioprotective effects. Because it promotes the balanced release of
epinephrine and nor epinephrine, it is a very effective
anti-arrhythmia/tachycardia agent. It also increases the energy
efficiency and energy reserves of the heart by balancing the heart's
sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nerve inputs."
To me, the above passage indicates that the herb promotes balance, not
a slowing or quickening of the heart rate. Also in the text is
another reference to its effects:
"It is theorized that R. rosea improves the brain's ability to deal
with stress by 1) increasing serotonin in the hypothalamus and
midbrain, 2) increasing endorphins, 3) moderating the release of
opioid peptides that occur as a part of the stress response, and 4)
protecting the brain and heart by reducing the stress related
production of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF)."
*********
A disclaimer for LONGEVIAŽ Rhodiola Rosea Formula 60 Cap at
http://www.smartbomb.com/smartbomb/lg0021.html reads " If you have a
disease (such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes) or a
medical condition (such as pregnancy) or are under the age of 18, you
should consult with your physician before using these products." This
is probably a general disclaimer (the same as I suggested in my answer
above). It's just smart to confirm use of the herb with your doctor.
*********
The Newsweek article is reprinted at
http://www.smartbomb.com/readingroom-news-week--rhodiola--herbal-stress-buster-.html
and makes no mention of the heart.
*********
From http://smart-drugs.net/Rhodiola-rosea.htm
"Rhodiola rosea has been shown to moderate against stress-induced
damage and dysfunction in cardiovascular tissue. Treatment with
Rhodiola rosea extract prevents the decrease in cardiac contractile
force secondary to environmental stress in the form of acute cooling
and contributes to stable contractility. In animals, acute cooling
leads to a decrease in myocardial contractile activity that partially
recovers during the first 18 hours after the cold-stress is removed.
This recovery is viewed as only partial, since the heart tissue is
incapable of stable contractility during perfusion...Other reports
suggest administration of Rhodiola rosea protects cardiovascular
tissue from stress-induced catecholamine release12 and mitigates
against adrenaline-induced arrhythmias in rats."
*********
From http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/rhodiolia%20rosea.htm
"Rhodiola has also been shown to be effective for cardiac problems
caused or aggravated by stress. Its action for these conditions is in
its ability to decrease the amount of catecholamines and
corticosteroids released by the adrenal glands during stress. The
abnormal presence of these stress hormones will subsequently raise
blood pressure, cholesterol, potassium levels and increase risk
factors for heart disease. Rhodiola has been found to decrease harmful
blood lipids and thus decrease the risk of heart disease. It also
decreases the amount of cyclic-AMP (c-AMP) released into cardiac
cells. Cyclic AMP is related to ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the
body's primary energy molecule. C-AMP acts as a 'second messenger' or
liaison between the outer and inner environments of the cell. It
assists in the uptake of more intracellular calcium into the heart
thus promoting a greater potential for heart muscle contraction.
Rhodiola thus regulates the heart beat and counteracts heart
arrhythmias."
*********
Regarding my findings, there seems to be no current claim or proof
that the herb slows the heart rate although balance and regulation are
mentioned. Should you require further clarification, please request
it.
Best regards,
journalist-ga
SEARCH STRATEGY:
"Rhodiola Rosea" research
"Rhodiola Rosea" Newsweek heart
[I saw a reference to a Newsweek article when searching
"Rhodiola Rosea" slow heart beat]
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