Benefits and Risks of Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease

Chelation therapy is an unique therapy that is most often used as a long term treatment for lead and mercury poisoning. However, is has recently began being used for the treatment of heart disease. The American Heart Association and FDA have not approved this form of treatment for heart disease because there are numerous risks associated with the treatment, but many alternative medicine doctors are now turning to Chelation therapy to assist with the treatment of heart disease despite the possible risks. These doctors claim there are benefits associated with using Chelation therapy for heart disease.

What is Chelation Therapy?

Chelation therapy consists of administering chelating agents to remove certain heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, from within the body. The compounds used in Chelation therapy are effective for treating heavy metal poisoning; however, there an no conclusive studies that suggest Chelation therapy is an effective form of treatment for heart disease.

The basic theory behind the use of Chelation therapy for heart disease is the fact the compounds used bind calcium to the plaque (fatty deposits) within the arteries of the body. After this binding has occurred the fatty deposits are then removed from the bloodstream. While alternative medicine doctors claim this is an effective form of treatment, conventional medicine doctors claim serious damage can actually occur from using Chelation therapy for heart disease.

Benefits of Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease

The claimed benefits of receiving Chelation therapy for heart disease through an intravenous line (IV) are said to be an effective method to use when removing plaque from the arteries. After the medication is administered and the bonding process has occurred, these fatty deposits then leave the body through urination. Supporters of Chelation therapy for heart disease claim this form of treatment can even reduce the damage of heart disease as the plaque is removed from the body; however, there are no conclusive studies to support these claims.

Risks of Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease

Those against using Chelation therapy for heart disease rave about the risks associated with this form of treatment. Risks of Chelation therapy for heart disease include pain and burning at the injection site, fever, headache, and nausea and vomiting. Other common risks include a sudden decrease in blood pressure, becoming incapable of creating new blood cells, and mineral deficiencies. Severe risks of Chelation therapy for heart disease include kidney failure or kidney damage.

References:

"Risks of Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease" Mayoclinic.com
"Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease" Chelation Therapy Online
"Chelation Therapy" QuackWatch.org
"Chelation Therapy for Coronary Heart Disease" PublicHealth