Natural Cures Guide

Angina, sometimes called angina pectoris, is the pain that occurs when your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen. You feel a sensation of heaviness or pressure in the middle of your chest. Sometimes the pain radiates to your left arm, throat, or jaw.

Exercise, a large meal, emotional upset, or stress can bring on an attack of angina. But the condition that makes such attacks possible is narrowing of the coronary arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

What makes these arteries leading to the heart become narrower? Little clumps of cholesterol-based substances called plaques, which accumulate along the artery walls. It’s similar to the gunk that builds up in the pipe draining your kitchen sink.

Elevated blood cholesterol is one cause of plaque, but it’s not the sole cause. According to current theories, the initial step for plaque formation is a injury to the inner lining of the artery, called the endothelium.

What causes that injury? Scientists don’t yet know for certain. But as in the beginning of a murder mystery, many suspects have been implicated. Cigarette smoking is one common cause, as are the normal chemical processes of aging. Vitamin B6 deficiency is thought to play a role. Other possible factors include immune-system malfunctions; physical injury, viral, bacterial, or chemical assaults; drug use; and poor diet. Also, certain chemical agents can cause blood cells called platelets to clump together, helping plaque to form.

Angina is a serious problem and should never be ignored; it can lead to a heart attack. This is not time to play the stoic. If angina-like symptoms begin to occur with greater frequency or with less provocation than usual, they could be a sign of worsening heart disease and impending heart attack. And if you have any undiagnosed chest pain, see your doctor immediately for an evaluation.

Because angina is such a serious disease, you must continue to see your family physician or cardiologist on a regular basis. If you are on medications for angina, work with an experienced herbalist-there are many potentially dangerous ways that drugs for the heart and herbs can interact. Do not stop taking prescribed medications on your own.

Herbal treatments for angina focus on preventing attacks. Once and episode of angina is occurring, take your nitroglycerin. Herbs can do much for angina-lower blood cholesterol, prevent and heal injuries to the endothelium of arteries, prevent the clumping of blood platelets, shrink plaques, and expand or dilate involved arteries. Herbs can also strengthen the heart in general, especially the herbs that improve energy metabolism within the heart.

Herbal Remedies

Garlic (Allium sativum) and Onion (A. cepa)

These two wonderful foods are good medicine for the heart. Both contain substances that discourage platelets from sticking together and prevent blood clots. They also lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, another type of blood fat, all the while increasing HDL, the “good” cholesterol. Just include one clove of garlic or half a small onion in your daily diet; use them raw or cook them as little as possible to preserve their beneficial compounds. Only garlic comes in supplement form. Typical dosage: standardized capsules that deliver a daily dose of at least 10 milligrams of allicin.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Much scientific research has confirmed the traditional value of ginkgo in the prevention of angina and the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Ginkgo is an antioxidant and helps neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals. It makes heart cells more efficient and increases blood supply to the extremities. It also has a tonic effect on blood vessels, gradually improving their overall health, and it keeps platelets from sticking together. Typical dosage: 40 to 80 milligrams of capsules standardized to 24 percent heterosides, three times per day. Caution: Rare cases if gastrointestinal upset, headache, and dizziness have been reported.

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

We now know that this traditional European herb used in treating heart disease dilates coronary arteries, thus increasing blood supply to the heart. It improves energy-producing processes in the heart, including oxygenation and energy metabolism, and it decreases lactic acid, the waste product of exertion that causes heart muscle pain. Hawthorn also helps strengthen artery walls. It’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and it reduces cholesterol. Products typically use either the flowers and leaves or the berries; both are helpful but the berries are stronger. Typical dosage: 1 cup of tea three times per day (simmer 1 teaspoon of dried berries or steep 1 teaspoon of leaves and flowers in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes);or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of tincture three times per day; or 100 to 250 milligrams of capsules standardized to 20 percent proanthocyanidins three times per day.

Coleus (Coleus forskohlii)

Coleus works primarily by activating a compound called cAMP. Among other things, cAMP prevents plates from sticking together, relaxes arterial muscles, and improves heart function. Typical dosage: 50 milligrams of capsules standardized to 18 percent forskolin two or three time per day. Caution: Use coleus carefully if your blood pressure is already too low or if you are on medication for your blood pressure. Coleus can also increase the effects of antihistamine drugs.

Khella (Ammi visnaga, syn. Daucus visnaga)

This herb dilates coronary arteries. Several scientific studies have verified its effectiveness in treating angina. It also improves exercise tolerance and normalizes heart rhythms in patients with angina. Typical dosage: 250 to 300 milligrams of capsules standardized to 12 percent khellin per day. Caution: At higher dosages, nausea, decreased appetite, and dizziness may occur. If this happens, reduce your dose.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

This aromatic herb may help reduce angina episodes by lowering cholesterol and preventing platelets from sticking together. It works best if eaten fresh and on an empty stomach. Typical dosage: up to 1/4-inch slice of an average-size root daily, or 250 milligrams per day of freeze-dried fresh root in capsules. Caution: Ginger may cause upset stomach, especially at higher doses.

Three Supplements to Investigate

People whose diets are habitually deficient in certain nutrients tend to be more prone to heart disease. In addition to overhauling your own eating habits, you may want to check with a nutritionist about supplementing your diet with the following three nutrients can help if you experience angina.

* Bromelain. Made from certain enzymes in pineapple, bromelain has anti-inflammatory effects, stops platelets from sticking together, and has been shown in studies to break down arterial plaques and ease angina. Typical dosage: 250 to 500 milligrams three times per day on an empty stomach. Caution: Bromelain may occasionally cause stomach upset- just as eating too much fresh pineapple can.

*L-carnitine. This amino acid is involved with energy production at the cellular level. It increases the efficiency of oxygen use within the heart muscle; it also lowers cholesterol. In clinical studies, angina patients who took L-carnitine could exercise more, and when they exercised as much as the could, their EKG readings were improved. Typical dosage: 750 to 1, 500 milligrams per day in divided doses.

*Coenzyme Q 10. Like L-carnitine, this vitamin-like substance is involved with energy production in the cells. In one small study, patients with stable angina reduced their episodes of chest pain by more than half, and the amount of time they could spend on a treadmill before experiencing chest pain increased by a full minute. Typical dosage: 150 milligrams per day in divided doses.