Posts Tagged ‘Angina Pectoris’
To be told you have heart disease can strike fear into anyone hearing it for the first time, however it’s not as bad as it sounds.
In this article I am going to explain some of the terms, causes and remedies associated with heart disease.
Heart disease is a general term used to describe several different conditions, all of which are potentially fatal, but are also treatable and/or preventable.
Heart disease is primarily a disease of lifestyle, and is largely preventable through risk factor awareness and modification.
However it is a serious condition and if ignored it is a major cause for heart attacks (myocardial infarction), congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, stroke, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and ischemia (reduced blood flow).
The most common form of heart disease is coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease
CORONARY
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease, it is caused by a narrowing or clogging of the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients.
Coronary artery disease and the resulting reduced blood flow to the heart muscle can lead to other heart problems, such as chest pain (angina) and heart attacks myocardial infarction).
The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attacks.
CHOLESTEROL
If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess is deposited in arteries, including the coronary arteries, where it contributes to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of heart disease.
High levels of the wrong type of cholesterol (LDL) can be life threatening especially because this type of cholesterol has the capability to choke the arteries and thus cause a heart attack.
What happens is that the levels of the lipoprotein, which is made in the liver and in cells lining blood vessels, rise with things that make heart disease more likely, like smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Conversely the levels fall when patients stop smoking, lose weight and get their cholesterol and diabetes under control.
Cholesterol levels should be less than 5.5. If your cholesterol level is 6.5 mmol/L or greater your risk of heart disease is about 4 times greater than that of a person with a cholesterol level of 4 mmol/L.
The best defense against high cholesterol is simply controlling the risk factors that could lead to coronary artery disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and being overweight.
Regular aerobic activities have a good effect on blood vessels and cholesterol.
Dietary aids to lowering cholesterol
1. reduce cheese intake and/or substitute low fat varieties
2. choose reduced fat milks
3. substitute polyunsaturated margarine for butter
4. choose lean cuts of meat and remove all visible fat
5. eat skinless chicken, fish or beans
6. beware of pies, pasties, fish and chips and commercial cakes (hidden fat)
7. make cakes at home with polyunsaturated fat, cook chips with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oil
8. lose weight if overweight.
High blood pressure also causes many other types of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart failure.
ARTERIES
Coronary artery diseases are diseases of the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood.
If you suffer from CAD it generally means that blood flow through the coronary arteries has become obstructed, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.
Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries.
When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (atherosclerosis), the heart cannot get enough and the result is coronary heart disease (CHD).
STROKE
Other cardiovascular diseases include stroke, high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and rheumatic heart disease. Smoking and uncontrolled high blood pressure are important risk factors for stroke.
Although stroke is highly preventable, certain risk factors such as; family history, age, sex and race can’t be controlled.
People with diabetes are also two to four times more likely to die of heart disease and experience stroke.
PREVENTION
Although heart disease is a serious condition that requires constant monitoring, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk for cardiovascular problems and live a full, active life, even if you should suffer a heart attack.
Study results indicate that heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people as in those who exercise regularly.
However studies have also shown that after five years of giving up smoking, the risk of developing heart disease is the same as for someone who never smoked.
As well, if you exercise on a regular basis, the chance of your developing heart disease is about half that of people who do no exercise at all.
By: Dick Aronson
About the Author:
In this article I am going to explain some of the terms, causes and remedies associated with heart disease.
Heart disease is a general term used to describe several different conditions, all of which are potentially fatal, but are also treatable and/or preventable.
Heart disease is primarily a disease of lifestyle, and is largely preventable through risk factor awareness and modification.
However it is a serious condition and if ignored it is a major cause for heart attacks (myocardial infarction), congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, stroke, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and ischemia (reduced blood flow).
The most common form of heart disease is coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease
CORONARY
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease, it is caused by a narrowing or clogging of the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients.
Coronary artery disease and the resulting reduced blood flow to the heart muscle can lead to other heart problems, such as chest pain (angina) and heart attacks myocardial infarction).
The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attacks.
CHOLESTEROL
If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess is deposited in arteries, including the coronary arteries, where it contributes to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of heart disease.
High levels of the wrong type of cholesterol (LDL) can be life threatening especially because this type of cholesterol has the capability to choke the arteries and thus cause a heart attack.
What happens is that the levels of the lipoprotein, which is made in the liver and in cells lining blood vessels, rise with things that make heart disease more likely, like smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Conversely the levels fall when patients stop smoking, lose weight and get their cholesterol and diabetes under control.
Cholesterol levels should be less than 5.5. If your cholesterol level is 6.5 mmol/L or greater your risk of heart disease is about 4 times greater than that of a person with a cholesterol level of 4 mmol/L.
The best defense against high cholesterol is simply controlling the risk factors that could lead to coronary artery disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and being overweight.
Regular aerobic activities have a good effect on blood vessels and cholesterol.
Dietary aids to lowering cholesterol
1. reduce cheese intake and/or substitute low fat varieties
2. choose reduced fat milks
3. substitute polyunsaturated margarine for butter
4. choose lean cuts of meat and remove all visible fat
5. eat skinless chicken, fish or beans
6. beware of pies, pasties, fish and chips and commercial cakes (hidden fat)
7. make cakes at home with polyunsaturated fat, cook chips with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oil
8. lose weight if overweight.
High blood pressure also causes many other types of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart failure.
ARTERIES
Coronary artery diseases are diseases of the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood.
If you suffer from CAD it generally means that blood flow through the coronary arteries has become obstructed, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle.
Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries.
When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (atherosclerosis), the heart cannot get enough and the result is coronary heart disease (CHD).
STROKE
Other cardiovascular diseases include stroke, high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and rheumatic heart disease. Smoking and uncontrolled high blood pressure are important risk factors for stroke.
Although stroke is highly preventable, certain risk factors such as; family history, age, sex and race can’t be controlled.
People with diabetes are also two to four times more likely to die of heart disease and experience stroke.
PREVENTION
Although heart disease is a serious condition that requires constant monitoring, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk for cardiovascular problems and live a full, active life, even if you should suffer a heart attack.
Study results indicate that heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people as in those who exercise regularly.
However studies have also shown that after five years of giving up smoking, the risk of developing heart disease is the same as for someone who never smoked.
As well, if you exercise on a regular basis, the chance of your developing heart disease is about half that of people who do no exercise at all.
By: Dick Aronson
About the Author:
Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites : visit author’s health site for more information on health related subjects and opportunities.
As we mentioned in the previous articles, heart diseases are caused by high blood pressure that contributes to hardening of the arteries. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) building up in the arteries as a result of uncontrolled diet with high levels of saturated fat and trans fat.
In the case of heart diseases affecting heart muscles, the heart muscles are stiff, increasing the amount of pressure required to expand for blood to flow into the heart or the narrowing of the passage as a result of obstructing blood flow out of the heart.
Heart diseases affecting heart muscles include:
1. Cardiomyopathy
Heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn’t work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, artery diseases or congenital heart defects.
a) Dilated cardiomyopathy
The heart cavity is enlarged and stretched. Blood flows more slowly through an enlarged heart, causing formation of blood clots as a result of clots sticking to the inner lining of the heart, breaking off the right ventricle into the pulmonary circulation in the lung or being dislodged and carried into the body’s circulation to form emboli .
b) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The wall between the two ventricles becomes enlarged, obstructing the blood flow from the left ventricle. Sometimes the thickened wall distorts one leaflet of the mitral valve, causing it to leak. The symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and angina pectoris.
c) Restrictive cardiomyopathy
The ventricles becomes excessively rigid, so it’s harder for the ventricles to fill with blood between heartbeats. The symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, swollen hands and feet.
2. Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscles or the weaken of the heart muscles. The symptoms of myocarditis include fever, chest pains, congestive heart failure and palpitation.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information of the above subject please visit my home page at:
http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.com
http://heartdiseasespartiiii.blogspot.com/
By: Kyle J. Norton
About the Author:
In the case of heart diseases affecting heart muscles, the heart muscles are stiff, increasing the amount of pressure required to expand for blood to flow into the heart or the narrowing of the passage as a result of obstructing blood flow out of the heart.
Heart diseases affecting heart muscles include:
1. Cardiomyopathy
Heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn’t work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes such as high blood pressure, heart valve disease, artery diseases or congenital heart defects.
a) Dilated cardiomyopathy
The heart cavity is enlarged and stretched. Blood flows more slowly through an enlarged heart, causing formation of blood clots as a result of clots sticking to the inner lining of the heart, breaking off the right ventricle into the pulmonary circulation in the lung or being dislodged and carried into the body’s circulation to form emboli .
b) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The wall between the two ventricles becomes enlarged, obstructing the blood flow from the left ventricle. Sometimes the thickened wall distorts one leaflet of the mitral valve, causing it to leak. The symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and angina pectoris.
c) Restrictive cardiomyopathy
The ventricles becomes excessively rigid, so it’s harder for the ventricles to fill with blood between heartbeats. The symptoms of restrictive cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, swollen hands and feet.
2. Myocarditis
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscles or the weaken of the heart muscles. The symptoms of myocarditis include fever, chest pains, congestive heart failure and palpitation.
I hope this information will help. If you need more information of the above subject please visit my home page at:
http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.com
http://heartdiseasespartiiii.blogspot.com/
By: Kyle J. Norton
About the Author:
I have been studying natural remedies for disease prevention for over 20 years and working as a financial consultant since 1990
Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, includes a number of conditions affecting the heart: congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease, and heart attack, among others. If you don’t know the symptoms, you could be at risk and not even know it. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. Keys to prevention include quitting smoking, improving cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising.
The heart consists of a muscle (myocardium) that pumps blood, arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, and valves to ensure that the blood is pumped in the correct direction. At any point in the pumping process, or in any part of the heart, something can go awry. The diseases and conditions affecting the heart are collectively known as heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.
Chest pain (angina pectoris) occurs, for instance, when the oxygen demand of the heart muscle exceeds the oxygen supply because of that narrowing in the coronary arteries. When the imbalance of oxygen supply lasts for more then a few minutes, heart muscle can begin to die, causing a heart attack (myocardial infarction). This may occur without symptoms (silent heart attack), especially in people with diabetes.
Symptoms of heart disease varies according to the type of heart disease. Unfortunately, some heart diseases cause no symptoms early in its course. When symptoms occur, they vary from person to person. Symptoms may may include chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue, palpitations (the sensation of the heart beating in the chest), lightheadedness, and fainting, or feeling about to faint.
A heart attack is an injury to the heart muscle caused by a loss of blood supply. The medical term for heart attack is “myocardial infarction,” often abbreviated MI. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood through a coronary artery — a blood vessel that feeds blood to a part of the heart muscle. Interrupted blood flow to your heart can damage or destroy a part of the heart muscle.
After age 50, your health care provider will recommend a screening colonoscopy. This test involves giving you IV sedation to make you sleepy, then passing a very small, flexible scope into your lower intestine (the colon) via your rectum. It can be a bit uncomfortable, but not painful, and the outcome is well worth this discomfort. This is because the provider can directly visualize any colon polyps that are present and remove them. Colon polyps are usually a type called an “adenoma,” which can develop into a cancer.
High blood pressure increases the heart’s workload, causing the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack increases greatly. Although the cause of most high blood pressure is unknown, it can be controlled.
The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attack. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack, calling 911 right away, and getting to a hospital are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have had a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of future events.
By: peterhutch
About the Author:
The heart consists of a muscle (myocardium) that pumps blood, arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, and valves to ensure that the blood is pumped in the correct direction. At any point in the pumping process, or in any part of the heart, something can go awry. The diseases and conditions affecting the heart are collectively known as heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.
Chest pain (angina pectoris) occurs, for instance, when the oxygen demand of the heart muscle exceeds the oxygen supply because of that narrowing in the coronary arteries. When the imbalance of oxygen supply lasts for more then a few minutes, heart muscle can begin to die, causing a heart attack (myocardial infarction). This may occur without symptoms (silent heart attack), especially in people with diabetes.
Symptoms of heart disease varies according to the type of heart disease. Unfortunately, some heart diseases cause no symptoms early in its course. When symptoms occur, they vary from person to person. Symptoms may may include chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue, palpitations (the sensation of the heart beating in the chest), lightheadedness, and fainting, or feeling about to faint.
A heart attack is an injury to the heart muscle caused by a loss of blood supply. The medical term for heart attack is “myocardial infarction,” often abbreviated MI. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood through a coronary artery — a blood vessel that feeds blood to a part of the heart muscle. Interrupted blood flow to your heart can damage or destroy a part of the heart muscle.
After age 50, your health care provider will recommend a screening colonoscopy. This test involves giving you IV sedation to make you sleepy, then passing a very small, flexible scope into your lower intestine (the colon) via your rectum. It can be a bit uncomfortable, but not painful, and the outcome is well worth this discomfort. This is because the provider can directly visualize any colon polyps that are present and remove them. Colon polyps are usually a type called an “adenoma,” which can develop into a cancer.
High blood pressure increases the heart’s workload, causing the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack increases greatly. Although the cause of most high blood pressure is unknown, it can be controlled.
The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those adverse factors that put people at greater risk for heart disease and heart attack. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack, calling 911 right away, and getting to a hospital are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have had a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of future events.
By: peterhutch
About the Author:
Read about Beauty Tips. Also read about Home Remedies, How to get rid of and Body Building Tips Guide
The term coronary heart disease covers a group of clinical syndromes arising particularly from
failure of the coronary arteries to supply sufficient blood to the heart. They include angina
peactoris, coronary thrombosis or heart attack and sudden death without infarction.
There has been a marked increase in the incidence of heart disease in recent years. Heart
attacks have become the number one killer in Western countries. They rank third in India, after
tuberculosis and infections. The disease affects people of all ages and both sexes, although it is
more common in men than in women, especially among those aged 40-60 years.
The heart, the most vital organ in the body, is a muscle about the size of a clenched fist. It starts
working even before birth inside the womb. Weighing less than 350 grms, it pumps about 4,300
gallons of blood per day through the body and supplies oxygen and nourishment to all the
organs. It beats 1,00,000 times a day, continuously pumping the blood through more than
60,000 miles of tiny blood vessels. The heart, in turn, needs blood for its nourishment which is
supplied by coronary arteries Coronary arteries are so called because they are arranged rather
like a crown or carona. In case of strain, etc., the heart needs more blood and the arteries, under
normal conditions, adjust themselves to the increased flow.
In the event of narrowing or hardening of the arteries on account of their getting plugged with
fatty substances, the flow of blood is restricted. The heart then does not get sufficient oxygen.
This condition is known as ischaemia of the heart or angina pectoris. In this condition , exercise
or excitement provokes severe chest pain and so it limits the patient’s physical activity. It serves
as a warning to slow down and prompt preventive measures will prevent a heart attack.
If the narrowed arteries get blocked due to a clot or thrombus inside them, causing death of that
portion of the heart which depends upon the choked arteries, it is called a heart attack or
coronary thrombosis. It may lead to death or heal, leaving a scar. Patients with healed lesions
may be severely disabled or may be able to resume normal life with restrictions in their physical
activities.
Symptoms
A common symptom of heart disease is shortness of breath which is caused by the blood being
deprived of the proper amount of oxygen. Another common symptom is chest pain or pain down
either arm. Other symptoms are palpitation, fainting, emotional instability, cold hands and feet,
frequent perspiration and fatigue. All these symptoms may be caused by many other disorders.
Appropriate tests and studies are, therefore, essential to establish the true nature of these
symptoms.
Causes
The basic causes of heart diseases are wrong dietary habits, faulty style of living and various
stresses. The famous Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart and Lung Institute
identified seven major risk factors in coronary heart disease. These are : (i) elevated blood levels
of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fatty substances ( ii) elevated blood pressure (iii) elevated
blood uric acid levels (mainly caused by high protein diet), (iv) certain metabolic disorders,
notably diabetes, (v) obesity, (vi) smoking, and (vii) lack of physical exercise. Each or a
combination of these risk factors can contribute to heart disease. Most of them are of dietary
origin. These risk factors can be controlled by changing one’s life style and readjusting the diet.
Constant worry and tension stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline and
cartisons. This also contributes to constricted arteries, high blood pressure and increased work
for the heart.
Treatment
The fundamental conditioning factor in all heart diseases is the diet. A corrective diet designed to
alter body chemistry and improve the quality of general nutritional intake can, in many cases,
reverse the degenerative changes which have occurred in the heart and blood vessels.
The diet should be lacto-vegetarian, low in sodium and calories. It should consist of high quality,
natural organic foods, with emphasis on whole grains, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods
which should be eliminated are all white flour products, sweets, chocolates, canned foods in
syrup, soft drinks, squashes, all hard fats of animal origin such as butter, cream and fatty meats.
Salt and sugar should be reduced substantially. The patient should also avoid tea, coffee,
alcohol and tobacco.
The essential fatty acids which reduce serum cholesterol levels and minimise the risk of
arteriosclerosis can be obtained from sunflower seed oil, corn oil or safflower oil. Several studies
have indicated that garlic can reduce the cholesterol level in persons whose body normally
cannot regulate the cholesterol fractions. Other important cholesterol lowering foods are alfalfa
and yogurt. Lecithin helps prevent fatty deposits in arteries. Best food sources are unrefined,
raw, crude vegetable oils, seeds and grains.
Fruits and vegetables in general are highly beneficial in the treatment of heart disease. Seasonal
fruits are quite effective heart tonics. Apples especially contain heart stimulating properties and
the patients suffering from the weakness of heart should make liberal use of apples and apple
jams. Fresh grapes, pineapples, oranges,custard apples, pomegranaes and coconut water also
tone up the heart. Grapes are effective in heart pain and palpitation of the heart and the disease
can be rapidly controlled if the patient adopts an exclusive grapes diet for few days. Grape juice,
especially will be valuable when one is actually suffering from a heart attack.
Indian gooseberry or amla is considered an effective home remedy for heart disease. It tones up
the functions of all the organs of the body and builds up health by destroying the heterogeneous
elements and renewing lost energy.
Another excellent home remedy for heart disease is onions. They are useful in normalising the
percentage of blood cholesterol by oxidising excess cholesterol. One teaspoon of raw onion
juice first thing in the morning will be highly beneficial in such cases.
Honey has marvellous properties to prevent all sorts of heart disease. It tones up the heart and
improves the circulation. It is also effective in cardiac pain and palpitation of the heart. One
tablespoonful daily after food is sufficient to prevent all sorts of heart troubles.
Patients with heart disease should increase their intake of foods rich in vitamin E, as this vitamin
promotes the functioning of the heart by improving oxygeneration of the cells. It also improves
the circulation and muscle strength. Many whole meal products and green vegetables,
particularly outer leaves of cabbage are good sources of vitamin E. The vitamin B group is
important for heart and circulatory disorders. The best sources of vitamin B are whole grains.
Vitamin C is also essential as it protects against spontaneous breaches in capillary walls which
can lead to heart attacks. It also guards against high blood cholesterol. The stress of anger, fear,
disappointment and similar emotions can raise blood fat and cholesterol levels immediately but
this reaction to stress can do little harm if the diet is adequate in vitamin C and pantothenic acid.
The richest sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits.
The following is the suggested diet for persons suffering from hypertension or some disorder of
the heart :
On rising : Warm water with lemon juice and honey or fresh fruit juice of apple,grapes, orange,
pineapple.
Breakfast : Fresh fruit such as apples, grapes, pears, peaches, pineapple, orange, melons, one
or two slices whole meal toast, yogurt, skimmed milk or soya milk.
Mid-morning : Fresh fruitjuice or coconut water.
Lunch : Combination salad of vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, endive, carrots, cucumber,
beetroot, tomato, onion and garlic. One or two slices of whole meal bread or chappatis, curd,
fresh grapes and other fruits in season.
Mid-afternoon : One or two wholemeal biscuits and fruit juice.
Dinner : Fresh fruit or vegetable juice or soup, two lightly cooked vegetables, one or two whole
wheat tappets.
The patient should also pay attention to other laws of nature for health building such as taking
moderate exercise, getting proper rest and sleep, adopting the right mental attitude and getting
fresh air and drinking pure water.
Water Treatment
The use of an ice bag on the spinal area between the second and tenth thoracic vertebrae for 30
minutes three times a week, a hot compress applied to the left side of the neck for 30 minutes
every alternate day and massage of the abdomen and upper back muscles are water treatments
which are beneficial in cases of heart disease.
Hot foot and hand baths are excellent for relieving the pain of angina pectoris. To this may be
added hot packs on the chest over the heart for one minute and a cold pack applied alternately
for five minutes.
Asanas such as shavasana, vajrasana, and gomukhasna, yogic kriyas like jalneti and
pranayamas such as shitali, sitkari and bhramari are also helpful in providing relief to heart
patients.
By: sulamita berrezi
About the Author:
failure of the coronary arteries to supply sufficient blood to the heart. They include angina
peactoris, coronary thrombosis or heart attack and sudden death without infarction.
There has been a marked increase in the incidence of heart disease in recent years. Heart
attacks have become the number one killer in Western countries. They rank third in India, after
tuberculosis and infections. The disease affects people of all ages and both sexes, although it is
more common in men than in women, especially among those aged 40-60 years.
The heart, the most vital organ in the body, is a muscle about the size of a clenched fist. It starts
working even before birth inside the womb. Weighing less than 350 grms, it pumps about 4,300
gallons of blood per day through the body and supplies oxygen and nourishment to all the
organs. It beats 1,00,000 times a day, continuously pumping the blood through more than
60,000 miles of tiny blood vessels. The heart, in turn, needs blood for its nourishment which is
supplied by coronary arteries Coronary arteries are so called because they are arranged rather
like a crown or carona. In case of strain, etc., the heart needs more blood and the arteries, under
normal conditions, adjust themselves to the increased flow.
In the event of narrowing or hardening of the arteries on account of their getting plugged with
fatty substances, the flow of blood is restricted. The heart then does not get sufficient oxygen.
This condition is known as ischaemia of the heart or angina pectoris. In this condition , exercise
or excitement provokes severe chest pain and so it limits the patient’s physical activity. It serves
as a warning to slow down and prompt preventive measures will prevent a heart attack.
If the narrowed arteries get blocked due to a clot or thrombus inside them, causing death of that
portion of the heart which depends upon the choked arteries, it is called a heart attack or
coronary thrombosis. It may lead to death or heal, leaving a scar. Patients with healed lesions
may be severely disabled or may be able to resume normal life with restrictions in their physical
activities.
Symptoms
A common symptom of heart disease is shortness of breath which is caused by the blood being
deprived of the proper amount of oxygen. Another common symptom is chest pain or pain down
either arm. Other symptoms are palpitation, fainting, emotional instability, cold hands and feet,
frequent perspiration and fatigue. All these symptoms may be caused by many other disorders.
Appropriate tests and studies are, therefore, essential to establish the true nature of these
symptoms.
Causes
The basic causes of heart diseases are wrong dietary habits, faulty style of living and various
stresses. The famous Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart and Lung Institute
identified seven major risk factors in coronary heart disease. These are : (i) elevated blood levels
of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fatty substances ( ii) elevated blood pressure (iii) elevated
blood uric acid levels (mainly caused by high protein diet), (iv) certain metabolic disorders,
notably diabetes, (v) obesity, (vi) smoking, and (vii) lack of physical exercise. Each or a
combination of these risk factors can contribute to heart disease. Most of them are of dietary
origin. These risk factors can be controlled by changing one’s life style and readjusting the diet.
Constant worry and tension stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline and
cartisons. This also contributes to constricted arteries, high blood pressure and increased work
for the heart.
Treatment
The fundamental conditioning factor in all heart diseases is the diet. A corrective diet designed to
alter body chemistry and improve the quality of general nutritional intake can, in many cases,
reverse the degenerative changes which have occurred in the heart and blood vessels.
The diet should be lacto-vegetarian, low in sodium and calories. It should consist of high quality,
natural organic foods, with emphasis on whole grains, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods
which should be eliminated are all white flour products, sweets, chocolates, canned foods in
syrup, soft drinks, squashes, all hard fats of animal origin such as butter, cream and fatty meats.
Salt and sugar should be reduced substantially. The patient should also avoid tea, coffee,
alcohol and tobacco.
The essential fatty acids which reduce serum cholesterol levels and minimise the risk of
arteriosclerosis can be obtained from sunflower seed oil, corn oil or safflower oil. Several studies
have indicated that garlic can reduce the cholesterol level in persons whose body normally
cannot regulate the cholesterol fractions. Other important cholesterol lowering foods are alfalfa
and yogurt. Lecithin helps prevent fatty deposits in arteries. Best food sources are unrefined,
raw, crude vegetable oils, seeds and grains.
Fruits and vegetables in general are highly beneficial in the treatment of heart disease. Seasonal
fruits are quite effective heart tonics. Apples especially contain heart stimulating properties and
the patients suffering from the weakness of heart should make liberal use of apples and apple
jams. Fresh grapes, pineapples, oranges,custard apples, pomegranaes and coconut water also
tone up the heart. Grapes are effective in heart pain and palpitation of the heart and the disease
can be rapidly controlled if the patient adopts an exclusive grapes diet for few days. Grape juice,
especially will be valuable when one is actually suffering from a heart attack.
Indian gooseberry or amla is considered an effective home remedy for heart disease. It tones up
the functions of all the organs of the body and builds up health by destroying the heterogeneous
elements and renewing lost energy.
Another excellent home remedy for heart disease is onions. They are useful in normalising the
percentage of blood cholesterol by oxidising excess cholesterol. One teaspoon of raw onion
juice first thing in the morning will be highly beneficial in such cases.
Honey has marvellous properties to prevent all sorts of heart disease. It tones up the heart and
improves the circulation. It is also effective in cardiac pain and palpitation of the heart. One
tablespoonful daily after food is sufficient to prevent all sorts of heart troubles.
Patients with heart disease should increase their intake of foods rich in vitamin E, as this vitamin
promotes the functioning of the heart by improving oxygeneration of the cells. It also improves
the circulation and muscle strength. Many whole meal products and green vegetables,
particularly outer leaves of cabbage are good sources of vitamin E. The vitamin B group is
important for heart and circulatory disorders. The best sources of vitamin B are whole grains.
Vitamin C is also essential as it protects against spontaneous breaches in capillary walls which
can lead to heart attacks. It also guards against high blood cholesterol. The stress of anger, fear,
disappointment and similar emotions can raise blood fat and cholesterol levels immediately but
this reaction to stress can do little harm if the diet is adequate in vitamin C and pantothenic acid.
The richest sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits.
The following is the suggested diet for persons suffering from hypertension or some disorder of
the heart :
On rising : Warm water with lemon juice and honey or fresh fruit juice of apple,grapes, orange,
pineapple.
Breakfast : Fresh fruit such as apples, grapes, pears, peaches, pineapple, orange, melons, one
or two slices whole meal toast, yogurt, skimmed milk or soya milk.
Mid-morning : Fresh fruitjuice or coconut water.
Lunch : Combination salad of vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, endive, carrots, cucumber,
beetroot, tomato, onion and garlic. One or two slices of whole meal bread or chappatis, curd,
fresh grapes and other fruits in season.
Mid-afternoon : One or two wholemeal biscuits and fruit juice.
Dinner : Fresh fruit or vegetable juice or soup, two lightly cooked vegetables, one or two whole
wheat tappets.
The patient should also pay attention to other laws of nature for health building such as taking
moderate exercise, getting proper rest and sleep, adopting the right mental attitude and getting
fresh air and drinking pure water.
Water Treatment
The use of an ice bag on the spinal area between the second and tenth thoracic vertebrae for 30
minutes three times a week, a hot compress applied to the left side of the neck for 30 minutes
every alternate day and massage of the abdomen and upper back muscles are water treatments
which are beneficial in cases of heart disease.
Hot foot and hand baths are excellent for relieving the pain of angina pectoris. To this may be
added hot packs on the chest over the heart for one minute and a cold pack applied alternately
for five minutes.
Asanas such as shavasana, vajrasana, and gomukhasna, yogic kriyas like jalneti and
pranayamas such as shitali, sitkari and bhramari are also helpful in providing relief to heart
patients.
By: sulamita berrezi
About the Author:
Sulamita work on sanremo anni 80, and attrezzature golfand macchinari usati
