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Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of global mortality and morbidity. With increasing interest in holistic and patient-centered care, homeopathy has emerged as a popular complementary treatment. However, its role in CVD management remains contentious due to limited and variable evidence.
Objective: To systematically review the existing literature on the efficacy, safety, and integration potential of homeopathy in the management of cardiovascular diseases.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and others were searched for studies published between January 2000 and 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and systematic reviews evaluating homeopathy in adult patients with cardiovascular conditions. Data on sample size, methodology, outcomes, and adverse effects were extracted and synthesized.
Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria: three RCTs, two systematic reviews, and one case series. In one RCT involving 132 hypertensive patients, individualized homeopathy resulted in a significant mean reduction of systolic blood pressure by 26.6 mmHg compared to placebo over six months. Another trial with 172 patients reported significant reductions in both blood pressure and anger scores (p < 0.05), with 33% of the homeopathy group discontinuing conventional antihypertensives. A third RCT on 92 pre-hypertensive patients showed no statistically significant difference in disease progression, though a trend toward symptom improvement was noted. Systematic reviews suggested a positive effect of individualized homeopathy over placebo, but highlighted methodological limitations such as small sample sizes and risk of bias.
Conclusions: Evidence suggests that individualized homeopathy may have a supportive role in managing blood pressure and improving psychosocial symptoms in CVD patients, with minimal risk of adverse effects. However, variability in study quality and outcomes prevents definitive conclusions. Well-designed, large-scale clinical trials are urgently needed to validate these findings and determine homeopathy’s role within conventional cardiovascular care models.