Home Remedies for Angina
There is an estimated 7 million people in the United States that suffer from angina. Every year, around 400,000 people pay a visit to their doctor with symptoms. To make matters worse, angina is often a sign that you have an underlying heart problem. Affecting both men and women, home remedies for angina can become a real life saver.
What is Angina?
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when a part of the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood [1]. Many describe the feeling as pressure or squeezing in the chest. Pain may also take place in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Sometimes the pain of angina is likened to indigestion. Angina is not a disease, but is a symptom and at times, indicates that an underlying heart issue exists, such as coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease.
Causes of Angina
There are different types of angina that are associated with various causes and symptoms: stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal’s), and microvascular. A number of factors contribute to the pain of angina. For example, physical exertion is the most common trigger of stable angina. Emotional stress, excessively hot or cold temperatures, heavy meals, and smoking can also bring on stable angina pain that lasts around five minutes. Other causes of angina include:
• Unstable Angina: Pain occurs at rest, while sleeping at night, or with little physical exertion. The pain can come as a sudden rush and without any warning. The discomfort tends to last longer – up to 30 minutes. Heart attacks are often associated with this type of angina pain.
• Variant Angina: Pain usually arises at rest and during the night or early morning hours. It tends to be severe and requires medication. However, this type of angina is considered rare.
• Microvascular Angina: The pain is more severe or lasts longer when compared to other types of angina. A patient may also experience shortness of breath, sleep problems, fatigue, and lack of energy. The pain typically occurs during routine daily activities and when a patient is experiencing mental stress.
Symptoms of Angina
The main symptoms of angina are pain and discomfort that typically begins in the chest – behind the breastbone. The feeling of pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in the chest is also reported. Signs and symptoms of angina include nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, light-headedness, or weakness. Diabetics are most likely to experience shortness of breath with their angina pain. Elderly patients may become weak, short of breath, dizzy, and confused.
Angina Home Remedies
There are ways to prevent angina pain, as well as ease some of the discomfort. Consider the following home remedies for angina when you wish to treat your symptoms:
a) Garlic:
Since garlic can help reduce blood clotting, lower cholesterol, prevent clogged arteries, and lower blood pressure, you may want to increase your consumption. Add to your food or boil two cloves of garlic in milk (and drink) to relieve symptoms.
b) Parsley:
Make a tea out of parsley to treat angina pain. Take this remedy two to three times per day.
c) Grapefruit:
Eat fresh grapefruit to tone the heart and better prepare yourself against the symptoms of angina.
d) Slow Your Pace:
Since physical exertion is a trigger for some forms of angina, it is suggested to slow down and take rest breaks during activities.
e) Apples:
The heart responds to apples and the fruit is said to help in treating angina. From drinking apple juice to spreading on fresh apple preserves – there are plenty of ways to incorporate apples into your diet.
f) Exercise:
Light exercises completed on a regular basis can help promote a healthy heart. Consider taking a brisk walk in the neighborhood or joining an aerobics class.
g) Daily Relaxation:
Learn relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation, stretching, and deep breathing, which can help manage the stress that contributes to angina pain.
h) Vitamin E:
If you take 400 IU daily of vitamin E, you can reduce the cholesterol that sticks to your artery walls.
i) Lower Salt Intake:
Too much salt on your meal can raise your blood pressure and cause angina pain to erupt. It is suggested to restrict the amount of salt you put on your food.
j) Watch Your Fat:
According to the American Heart Association, you should receive less than 30% of calories from fat in your diet. It is recommended to reduce the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your meals. A few ways to eat healthier for your heart is to remove skin from poultry before cooking; eat no more than six ounces of meat, seafood or poultry daily; choose low-fat dairy products; and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.
k) Honey:
Add one tablespoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water. Drink before going to bed.
l) Beet Juice:
Some people have consumed beet juice as a way to relieve the pain of angina.
m) Lemon:
This fruit is known to prevent and treat heart problems. Daily consumption of lemon can help lessen the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels.
n) Portion Control:
Large meals and rich foods can leave you feeling stuffed. Keep in mind that heavy meals can trigger angina pain.
o) Stress Relievers:
For some people, emotional stress can bring on angina pain. It is important to avoid the triggers that make you upset or feel stressed. Breathing exercises, meditation, and learning how to control your emotions can help manage your angina pain.
p) Aspirin:
Take an aspirin a day to treat angina pain. Aspirin can also save the life of patients with unstable angina – the type that can come without any physical exertion or warning. Aspirin can prevent the beginning stages of blood clotting, which can trigger a heart attack when blood cannot get through narrowed arteries.
q) Raw Onion Juice:
Some people have consumed one teaspoon of raw onion juice on an empty stomach when they first wake up in the morning to treat angina pain.
r) Dietary Changes:
Add more of a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet to promote a healthy heart. Aim for a diet that is low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and sugar.
Resources
[1] http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Angina/Angina_WhatIs.html
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