According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Traditional treatment for cardiovascular disease often involves dietary and lifestyle changes, medication, or invasive procedures.
Increasingly, people are seeking complementary approaches, including chiropractic care, to reduce heart disease risk factors and improve cardiovascular health. Integrating chiropractic care with conventional medical treatments can offer a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular health.
Considerations for Chiropractic Treatment & Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
When providing chiropractic care to patients who have cardiovascular disease, it is important to take steps to reduce the risk of a poor outcome for the patient and reduce the risk of a lawsuit alleging negligence in the care and treatment of a patient.
Start by obtaining and documenting a thorough history and perform a physical examination prior to initiating treatment. If a patient has a history of cardiovascular disease, determine if the patient is under the care of any other healthcare providers and any treatment they are receiving for their condition. It is important to have open communication with your patients and their other healthcare providers in order to work together to optimize patient outcomes.
Based upon your history and physical, determine if the patient is an appropriate candidate for chiropractic treatment or if the patient should be referred to a specialist for further evaluation and/or treatment prior to initiating chiropractic treatment.
Obtain the patient’s informed consent for chiropractic treatment including the benefits and potential risks of treatment prior to initiating treatment.
Refer & Document If a Patient Exhibits Signs of Cardiovascular Disease During Chiropractic Treatment
If a patient develops signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease during the course of your chiropractic treatment, refer the patient to a cardiovascular specialist, and work with the cardiovascular specialist to create an integrative treatment plan.
Document all conversations and communications with your patients and their other healthcare professionals. Document your informed consent discussion. Document all patient education and instructions. Document your rationale for your treatment or referral decisions. Document your plan of treatment, the treatment provided and the patient’s response to treatment. Document periodic re-evaluations of the patient, as appropriate, and modify your treatment plan if needed.
Become familiar with your state laws and regulations governing the practice of chiropractic care to ensure you are practicing within legal boundaries. Also, stay abreast of current peer-reviewed treatment recommendations and evidence-based guidelines to assist you in helping your patients reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease and improve their cardiac health.
If you are not currently insured with OUM, take a moment to see how we protect our chiropractors. Fill out our online form to receive a free, no-obligation quote.
Disclaimer: “OUM” and “OUM Chiropractor Program” do not refer to a legal entity or insurance company but to a program or symbol of a program underwritten, insured, and administered by ProAssurance Insurance Company of America. The information contained on the OUM Chiropractor Blog does not establish a standard of care, nor does it constitute legal advice. The information is for general informational purposes only. We encourage all blog visitors to consult with their personal attorneys for legal advice, as specific legal requirements may vary from state to state. Links or references to organizations, websites, or other information is for reference use only and do not constitute the rendering of legal, financial, or other professional advice or recommendations. In the event any of the information presented conflicts with the terms and conditions of any policy of insurance offered by ProAssurance Insurance Company of America, the terms and conditions of the actual policy will apply. All information contained on the blog is subject to change.
