Cardiovascular diseases constitute a serious public health problem. It is
estimated that they are responsible for nearly 30% of world mortality. Regardless of the
developments in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases, their
incidence rate remains increasing. Therefore, newlines of drugs are needed to manage
the expanding population of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Even though the
most common existing treatments for cardiovascular diseases are synthetic molecules,
natural compounds, of different chemical classes, are also being tested. Medicinal
plants have been employed in the treatment of some cardiovascular diseases such as
congestive heart failure and hypertension many centuries ago. Recently, the traditional
remedies application for the treatment of different disorders is gaining revived
popularity. In this chapter, we will investigate the efficacy and safety of natural
products under preclinical studies and clinical trials with particular emphasis on their traditional uses and implementations in the primary health care system. The great
potential of medicinal plants and herbs will be discussed in light of the rising
prevalence of cardiovascular diseases as one of the most devastating global health
problems.
Keywords: Angina, Cardiovascular diseases, Clinical trials, Hypertension, Heart
failure, Ischemic heart diseases, Natural products.
