Abstract: A method for treating a medical patient prior to or during heart trauma, e.g., myocardial infarction, angina and ischemia. An effective dosage of pyruvate is introduced into the patient to increase the patient's cardiac output and stroke volume, to decrease the patient's heart rate and to reduce the oxygen demand of the patient's heart. The dosage may be introduced intravenously into the patient or orally as a component of the patient's diet. The oral feeding method is especially useful for surgical patients prior to surgical procedures which are likely to encourage cardiac trauma and useful for patients exhibiting symptoms of chronic congestive heart failure.