Religion and the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Among Cardiac Patients

This study investigates the prevalence and predictors of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among middle-aged and older patients prior to cardiac surgery. Additionally, it addresses the correlates of using 10 commonly used CAM therapies. The influence of religion on itemized CAM usage is also explored. Comprehensive data were collected from adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery through a preoperative survey 2 weeks prior to surgery, followed by a telephone interview the day before surgery. More than two-thirds of participants (80.9 %) indicated at least one CAM use. Income, religiosity, education, BMI, employment, and congestive heart failure predicted greater CAM utility. After multiple controls, major cardiac indicators were significantly positively associated with greater utility of CAM. There was also a significant positive association between religiosity and CAM use. Findings suggest considerable CAM use in this cardiac sample and certain associations among cardiac conditions, religiosity, and itemized CAM utilization. Future research is needed to investigate the potential joint therapeutic and adverse effects of drug and herbal remedies in cardiac patients.