Angina, its possible causes, common Signs & Symptoms, and how Holistic Remedies can help.

Angina is severe pain or discomfort in the chest region of the heart on exertion mainly due to coronary heart disease.

What causes angina pectoris?

It happens when your heart muscle – myocardium, does not get enough oxygen rich blood supply.

This usually happens because of coronary heart disease as one or more of the heart’s arteries is narrowed or blocked, also called ischemia.

Angina Pectoris is classified in 2 types

1. Stable Angina: It is a common form of angina. Exercise or stress may increase the pain and get relief during rest and prescribed medications.

2. Unstable Angina: The aggravating cause is not predictable in this type, and it requires emergency medical treatment. Sometimes pain can be caused due to just climbing stairs.

Most Common Signs and Symptoms

• Crushing, constricting, sharp or burning pain with feeling of strangling and suffocating,
• The pain may radiate to both arms or mostly along the left arm to the little finger and the jaw, teeth, neck throat, epigastric region and between the shoulder blades.
• Pain is triggered from exertion or on physical activity and subsides on rest.
• Pains last from few seconds to few minutes.
• May be associated with – shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitation and nausea.

Symptoms of angina in women can be different from men. Women may also have symptoms such as:

• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Discomfort in the neck, jaw or back
• Stabbing pain instead of chest pressure

An effective holistic approach is to identify and treat the causative factors!

Possible causes of angina:

• Family history of heart diseases
• Hardening of coronary arteries – atherosclerosis
• Blood clots.
• A plaque in an artery that can rupture.
• Poor blood flow through a narrowed heart valve.
• Lessened pumping of the heart muscle.
• Coronary artery spasm.
• Increased triglycerides and cholesterol.
• Sedentary life.
• Lack of exercise.
• Sudden emotional upsets.
• Chronic consumption of alcohol.
• Too much smoking.
• Drug abuse like – cocaine etc.
• Diabetes mellitus.

Who is at more risk for angina pectoris?

Situations that may trigger angina include:

• Physical activity
• Emotional stress
• Extreme cold or heat
• Heavy meals
• Congestive heart failure
• A ventricular aneurysm
• Myocardial infarction
• Pulmonary embolism
• Shock
• Stroke

Herbal Supplements for Angina.

Make sure to avoid any ingredient you are allergic to – discussed in this article!

• Herbs that may improve arterial health and strengthen the heart itself include hawthorn berries, grapeseed extract, hibiscus, flowering tops, cayenne, motherwort etc.
• Herbs which might have blood thinning effect and help efficient circulation include Red Clover, Ginkgo Biloba, Cayenne Pepper, Ginger, Garlic, Dong Quai, Yarrow, Sage and Meadowsweet.

Top Essential oils for Angina Pectoris.

Aromatherapy is the use of plants extracts for healing. Always dilute in a base oil like olive oil etc. and apply externally!

• Marjoram has very good circulatory effect that can lower high blood pressure and supports good heart tone.
• Lavender is effective in lowering high blood pressure, clears lymphatic congestion, soothes heart and calms palpitations
• Melissa is good heart tonic and has anti-depressant qualities.
• Nutmeg invigorates heart and circulation.
• Ginger stimulates circulation and may ease angina symptoms.

Homeopathic approach for Angina.

Homeopathy is one of the safest holistic system of medicines – that offers a unique, personalised treatment and has the potential to reverse a medical disorder.

Consult a qualified homeopath for a proper assessment and take tailor-made remedies as per your causative factors, modalities and peculiar signs and symptoms etc.

Here are Top 6 suggested homeopathic remedies for Angina.

• Latrodectus where the pain starts in the heart and moves to the arms.
• Lachesis with the feeling of suffocation.
• Cenchris when the pain shoots from front to back.
• Haematoxylin where the pain as if a bar lays across the chest Magnolia patient feels as if heart would cease to function.
• Cactus for gripping pain with cold perspire.
• Cimicifuga – an effective remedy for stable angina – patient feels like electric shock pain

Prevention and helpful tips to avoid sudden attack.

Keeping up a healthy lifestyle can help to delay or prevent angina pectoris. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• A healthy diet
• Physical activity
• Stress management.
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Taking medicines as prescribed
• Take Vitamin E or evening primrose oil supplements.
• Treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Stop smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Take brisk walks for 40 minutes daily morning.
• Practicing yoga and breathing exercises plays a very important role in lowering the cholesterol and stress levels.
• Cut down common table salt, sugar & sweeteners
• Avoid foods rich in cholesterol:
• Increase your intake of water.
• Consume whole grain cereals and whole pulses.
• Take high fibre diet
• Eat fruits and vegetables with the skin.
• Replace whole milk with skimmed milk.
• Avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks, junk food – pizza, burgers etc

For your particular health problem(s), or to change your medications it is strongly suggested to avoid self-medication and consult your GP / health provider or Mind & Body Holistic Health Clinic.

You may also book your one-to-one consultation with one of our practitioners for your tailor-made remedies as per your causative factors, peculiar signs & symptoms etc.  

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