Angina

Symptoms

An angina attack can cause severe chest pain resulting in anxiety and clammy, pale skin. In some people, the attacks cause fear of death. An angina attack can be felt as an uncomfortable tightness and squeezing across the chest with some difficulty breathing, and little else. When there is pain, it often radiates down the left arm.

An angina attack is hard to distinguish from a heart attack. For this reason, even mild chest pain should be evaluated by a medical professional and treated as an emergency. Furthermore, anyone suffering from angina needs to be under a physician’s care, as the outcome can be serious. Usually an angina attack lasts only a few minutes, and rest or nitroglycerine should help quickly. If the attack lasts longer than five minutes, it should be treated as a heart attack. Unfortunately, denial of a heart attack keeps people from seeking help while they are still able. Angina attacks are precursors for heart attacks, so it is extremely important to participate actively in taking preventive measures against them.

Causes

The illness actually begins long before the first angina attack. Usually as a direct result of long-standing arteriosclerosis, the coronary arteries become clogged through the build-up of fatty deposits, and harden. Once the blood’s passageways to the heart are narrowed, any additional demands on the heart, such as excitement, exercise, a very cold day or a full stomach, can instigate an attack. During this acute time of stress, the coronary arteries become temporarily blocked, and the resulting lack of oxygen to the heart causes a flash of pain and tightness in the chest. When this continues for only a few seconds, no lasting damage to the heart occurs. If the blockage is longer, then the tissues of the heart die off due to lack of oxygen, causing a full-blown heart attack. Faulty nutrition, high blood pressure and cholesterol are often the underlying causes of angina, combined with hereditary predisposition and a type A personality, which is particularly prone to reacting to constant stress. An attack is usually precipitated by some form of physical or emotional stress such as walking up stairs, or an important meeting. A diet rich in fast food, meats, animal fats and saturated vegetable oils, and lacking in fresh vegetables and unrefined food that contain natural fiber is a common problem. Too little physical activity is also to blame. Individual habits should be seriously reviewed, as a complete change in lifestyle and eating habits is necessary to restore the health of such a serious condition.

Nutrition

Nutritional prevention of angina should aim at enhancing the blood-oxygen supply to the heart and improving the heart’s ability to metabolize energy from essential fatty acids. Give preference to vegetable over animal proteins, and raw over cooked food. Increase dietary fiber, especially the mucilaginous fiber found in oat bran, legumes and fruits high in pectin such as apples and quince. This water-soluble fiber (in contrast to the insoluble fiber found in wheat bran) lowers cholesterol levels in the blood by binding bile and cholesterol in the intestines, and promoting their excretion.

Reduce the intake of sugars, and saturated/heat-damaged fats, as these interfere with fatty-acid metabolization. Choose instead unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed oils containing essential fatty acids, such as flax seed oil and the fish oil found in cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring. These oils lower cholesterol levels and reduce platelet accumulation in the blood. Garlic lowers blood pressure, and enlarges veins and arteries for better circulation. Eat one to three raw cloves daily for three to six months.

Avoid putting undue strain on the heart with stimulants such as coffee or through overeating. Since heart trouble is often associated with high blood pressure, avoid sodium-rich food.

Nutritional Supplements

Supplements help spur recovery. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occuring antioxidant that the body synthesizes. It plays a particularly important role in heart muscle function, helping to produce energy. As a supplement, coenzyme Q10 can reduce chest pain, the number of attacks, and heart beat irregularities. It improves cardiac function in cardiomyopathies (diseases of weak heart muscle), reduces angina attacks and pain, and works synergistically with other antioxidants like vitamin E, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Coenzyme Q10 can significantly lower high blood pressures as well as lower LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol. (See Cholesterol.)

A lack of the mineral magnesium also plays a vital role in some angina cases. Furthermore, it has helped reduce high levels of cholesterol and prevent arteriosclerosis. Magnesium can do virtually anything that prescription heart medications can do. Doctors frequently prescribe “calcium channel blockers” to treat heart problems, which is what magnesium does naturally. The problem is that, in order to correct an arrhythmia, magnesium usually has to be given at dosages far above those that can safely be tolerated in oral supplement form. In practice it is always wise to balance magnesium intake with both calcium and potassium. Evaluation of blood and tissue levels can be done with the help of a health care practitioner. If one takes high amounts of magnesium (2,000-5,000 mg per day), the effect after a day or so is diarrhea and loss of magnesium and other minerals from the body. This is known as “magnesium-induced magnesium deficiency.” The only way to get around this problem is via intravenous or intramuscular injection. Most people go to a natural physician for intramuscular injections of magnesium to help control their heart beat irregularities. Magnesium is combined with vitamin E for the treatment and prevention of angina.

Bromelain, taken between meals is an enzyme from the pineapple plant, has been used to reduce angina attacks and break down the plaques of arteriosclerosis.

Carnitine is therapeutically effective in the treatment of coronary heart disease because normal cardiac function is dependent on adequate concentrations of carnitine in the heart muscle. Carnitine lowers triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol while raising HDL-cholesterol and helps increase muscle strength and stamina. It is important as part of an enzyme system that lowers total fat in the body. L-carnitine transports fatty acids into cells so that they can be burned as fuel. D-carnitine and D,L-carnitine can be toxic and should not be used. Use only the L-carnitine.

Proline is a nonessential amino acid highly concentrated in many tissues in the body. It is recommended for the reversal of heart disease because it helps strengthen the heart muscle. The metabolism of proline is intimately connected to enzymes using niacin (vitamin B3) and vitamin C as co-factors.

Daily dosages:

Most Important:

Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg three times daily

Magnesium, 250 mg three times daily

Bromelain, 500 mg three times daily between meals

L-carnitine, 1,500 mg

Helpful:

Proline, 500-1,000 mg with vitamin C

Herbal Remedies

Herbs provide excellent complementary treatment in the stimulation of blood circulation.

Hawthorn is best known for its use in cardiac weakness, valvular murmurs, shortness of breath, mitral valve regurgitation, chest/angina pain, anemia associated with heart irregularity and nervous exhaustion. Hawthorn has traditionally been used in the complementary medical treatment of coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, arteriosclerosis and other circulatory weaknesses. Hawthorn reduces cholesterol, dilates coronary blood vessels and thereby increases blood flow to the heart muscle. It prevents and reverses plaque formation. Take 1 tbsp. of juice or 20-25 drops of tincture with water before breakfast and before bed. Hawthorn is effective with long-term application only (three months or more), and does not cause any side-effects.

Use the inside woody parts of valerian, lemon balm or walnut to make herbal teas. Other herbs for regulating and strengthening the heart are gingko biloba, lavender and yarrow. Add 1 cup of boiling water to 1 tsp. of herbs.

Essential oil of lavender has a calming effect. Put 5 drops into a small bowl of water and place in bedroom or livingroom.

Cayenne helps dilate arteries and thereby improves circulation in the coronary arteries. Many angina sufferers report a remarkable improvement in their chest pain and circulation with regular supplementation of cayenne. Steep 1/2-1 tsp. in a cup of boiling water, and take warm, 1 tbsp. at a time.

Coleus forskohlii has the ability to lower blood pressure and successfully treat diverse conditions like angina, congestive heart failure, eczema, asthma, and psoriasis.

Homeopathy

Recurrent angina requires constitutional treatment from an experienced homeopath. However, the remedies below may be used for mild attacks. Take the 6c strength every two minutes for up to 10 doses as soon as an attack comes on.

Arnica is used for pain around the heart after strain or exertion, with an irregular pulse.

Take Lilium when the chest and heart feel tight, with palpitations, and for pain in the right arm which is worse in a warm room.

Spigelia is recommended for an attack with palpitations, a thirst for hot water, and difficult breathing that is relieved by lying on the right side with the head raised.

Take Cactus for an attack with chest constriction, difficult breathing, cold sweat, pain down the left arm, and low blood pressure.

Tissue Salts

This condition is not applicable for self-help tissue salt remedies.

External/Physical Therapies

Hot compresses on the heart, renewed every five minutes, are helpful.

Cold compresses around the lower legs will remove pressure from the heart region.

Arm baths with rising temperature 85-100°F (30-40°C) will help to decongest the heart.

Mix 1 cup of fermented apple cider with 1 qt. of water, heat to the boiling point and quickly remove from heat; then soak some towels in the hot liquid and place on both arms, covering each arm completely-this will improve the heart circulation, soothe the blood vessels and the nervous system, and relieve the cramps.

Regular, mild exercise, such as walking or swimming outdoors for about fifteen minutes daily, helps to rebuild the strength of the heart. Work with your health practitioner on a personalized exercise program.

As a prevention, avoid emotional and physical stresses, overexertion, sudden temperature changes and overeating. Do not smoke and assure regular, daily bowel movement.

Reflexology

Work the heart and chest area on the top and bottom of the left foot with the palm of one hand while supporting the foot with the other hand, as illustrated. Also work the adrenal gland and solar plexus points to relax the central nervous system. Manipulate the reflex area of the left arm and shoulder to stimulate circulation.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Super Bromelain (Albi)

Co-Q-Max (Flora)

Dr. Dunner E + Magnesium + Hawthorn (Flora)

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)

Formula FLW (Inno-Vite)

Cell Respirate (Klaire Laboratories)

Magnesium Complex (Klaire Laboratories)

N-Acetyl L-Carnitine (Klaire Laboratories)

Beta Carotene (Natural Factors)

Beta Green (Natural Factors)

Bromelain Extra Strength (Natural Factors)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate (Natural Factors)

Coenzyme Q10 (Natural Factors)

E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Multi-Flow (Natural Factors)

Vitamin A (Natural Factors)

Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)

Flax Oil (Omega Nutrition)

Natural Ratio Vitamin E (Quest Vitamins)

Herbal Remedies

Coreplex Hawthorn Tonic (Flora)

Salus Herbal Calcium/Magnesium Liquid (Flora)

Schoenenberger Hawthorn Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Ginkgo Biloba Extract (Natural Factors)

Hawthorn Tincture (Natural Factors)

Hawthorn-Plus Tincture (Natural Factors)

Ginkgo Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Hawthorn Phytosome (Nature’s Herbs)

Valerian-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Yarrow Flowers (Nature’s Herbs)