h in the United States is properly-prescribed medications.
The importance of supporting energy production in the heart cells and preservation of the mitochondria is essential. The heart contains more energy per gram than any other organ, and the chemical energy that fuels the heart comes primarily from ATP; ATP reserves must be maintained. In diastolic dysfunction, which is an early sign of heart failure, despite the presence of normal systolic function and preserved ejection fraction, high concentrations of ATP are needed and can reverse this early heart disease. In failing hearts, such as heart failure, these energetic changes become even more profound as the left ventricle proceeds from hypertrophy to dilatation.
Cardiac energetics also provides important prognostic information in the patients for heart failure, in determining the heart contractility reserve. It is especially necessary prior to surgery and/or angioplasty to protect the patient.
Cardiovascular function depends on the operational capacity of the heart cell to generate energy, to expand and contract. Insufficient myocardial energy contributes significantly to congestive heart failure. Literally, heart failure is energy-starved heart. Although there may be several causes of myocardial dysfunction, the energy deficiency in the heart plays a significant role.
It is no longer enough that physicians focus on fluid retention aspects of pump failure, giving a diuretic. Diuretic therapies target the kidney indirectly, to relieve the heart failure without addressing the root cause. Metabolic solutions, on the other hand, treat the heart muscle directly. Metabolic cardiology supports the biochemical interventions that can be employed to directly improve energy, and therefore energy metabolism in the heart cells; d-ribose, PQQ, co-enzyme Q10, carnitine, and magnesium all promote cardiac energy metabolism and help normalize myocardial energy reserve. All of these interventions positively impact the cardiac systolic and diastolic function. Acknowledging this metabolic support for the heart provides a missing link that offers great potential for the future treatment of cardiovascular disease.