The Effects of Resveratrol in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Heart Failure: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death globally and responsible for the second highest number of deaths in Canada. Medical advancements in the treatment of CVD have led to patients living longer with CVD but often progressing to another condition called heart failure (HF). As a result, HF has emerged in the last decade as a major medical concern. Fortunately, various "traditional" pharmacotherapies for HF exist and have shown success in reducing HF-associated mortality. However, to augment the treatment of patients with CVD and/or HF, alternative pharmacotherapies using nutraceuticals have also shown promise in the prevention and treatment of these two conditions. One of these natural compounds considered to potentially help treat HF and CVD and prevent their development is resveratrol. Herein, we review the clinical findings of resveratrol's ability to be used as an effective treatment to potentially help treat HF and CVD. This will allow us to gain a more fulsome appreciation for the effects of resveratrol in the health outcomes of specific patient populations who have various disorders that constitute CVD.

Keywords: CVD; heart failure; resveratrol.

Figure 1

Flow Diagram Outlining the Selection of the Studies Involved in the Review.

Figure 2

Summary of the findings from the clinical studies involving resveratrol. The key findings in the studies using resveratrol in different patient populations are summarized. The three main subgroups of disease conditions are indicated by Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Heart Failure (HF)/Left Ventricular (LV) Function, and diabetes and the effects on different biological entities are indicated.