The term ‘coronary heart disease’ covers a group of clinical syndromes, arising particularly from failure of the coronary arteries to supply adequate blood to the heart. They include Angina pectoris, Coronary thrombosis or heart attack and sudden death without infarction.

A striking increase has been noted in the incidence of heart disease in recent years. Heart
attacks have become the prime reasons of deaths in the Western countries. This prime factor ranks third in India, after tuberculosis and infections. The disease affects people of all ages and both genders, although it is more common in men than in women, especially among those aged 40-60 years. Heart; the chief organ in the body, is a muscle, sized about a clenched fist. It starts working even before birth inside the womb. Weighing less than 350 grams, it pumps about 4,300 gallons of blood per day through the body and supplies oxygen and nourishment to every organ in the body. It beats 100,000 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 sustenance which is supplied by Coronary arteries. They are so called because they are arranged rather like a coronet or corona.

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 blocked with fatty substances, the flow of blood is constrained. The heart then does not get ample oxygen. This condition is known as ‘ischemia’ of the heart or ‘Angina pectoris.’ In this situation, work outs or excitement aggravates severe chest pain limiting the patient’s physical activity. It indicates to slow down and without a delay to take up preventive measures that will avert a heart attack.

If the narrowed arteries get blocked due to a clot or thrombus inside them, causing death of that section of the heart which depends upon the choked arteries, it is called a heart attack or ‘Coronary thrombosis.’ It may lead to death or might heal, leaving a scar. Patients with healed lesions may be severely disabled or be able to continue normal life with limitations in their physical activities.

Symptoms

A general symptom of heart disease is shortness of inhalation, caused by the blood being deprived of appropriate amount of oxygen. Another common symptom is chest pain or either arm down with ache. Other symptoms are palpitation, fainting, emotional unsteadiness, cold hands and feet, frequent perspiration and fatigue. (All these symptoms may be caused by many other disorders.)

Appropriate tests and studies are, therefore, crucial to ascertain the exact nature of these
symptoms.

Causes

The basic sources of heart diseases are wrong dietary habits, flawed style of living and various
stresses. The famous Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart and Lung Institute
identified seven major risk aspects in Coronary heart disease. These are : (I) High blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fatty substances ( II) High blood pressure (III) elevated blood uric acid levels (mainly caused by high protein diet), (IV) certain metabolic disorders, particularly diabetes, (V) obesity, (VI) smoking, and (VII) lack of physical exercise. Each or a combination of these risk factors can add to heart disease. Most of them are of dietary origin. These risk factors can be controlled by changing one’s life style and amending the diet. Constant worry and tension stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline and cortisones. This also contributes to constricted arteries, high blood pressure and increased work for the heart.

Treatment

The primary conditioning aspect in all heart diseases is the diet. A corrective diet designed to correct body chemistry and perk up 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

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 significantly. The patient should also recoil from 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 specified that garlic can trim down the cholesterol level in persons whose body normally cannot regulate the cholesterol fractions. Other vital cholesterol lowering foods are alfalfa and yogurt. Lecithin helps put a stop to fatty dumps in arteries. Best food sources are unprocessed, raw, crude vegetable oils, seeds and grains.

Fruits and vegetables in a broad-spectrum are greatly advantageous in the treatment of heart disease. Seasonal fruits are quite effective as 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, pomegranates and coconut water also tune up the heart. Grapes are effective in heart ache and palpitation of the heart, the disease thus, can rapidly be controlled if the patient takes up an exclusive grapes diet for few days. Grape juice primarily will be valuable when one in point of fact is suffering from a heart attack.

Indian gooseberry or ‘amla’ is considered an effectual home remedy for heart disease. It tones up the functions of all the organs of the body and builds up health by razing the heterogeneous elements and refurbishing lost energy.

Another excellent home medication for heart disease is onions. They are useful in normalising the percentage of blood cholesterol by oxidising surplus cholesterol. One teaspoon of raw onion juice as the first thing in the morning will be extremely beneficial in such cases.

Honey has excellent properties to avert all sorts of heart disease. It revives the heart and
perks up the flow of blood. It is also effective in cardiac pain and palpitation of the heart. One
tablespoonful daily after food is enough to prevent all sorts of heart troubles.
Patients with heart disease should increase their intake of foods loaded with vitamin E, as this vitamin props up the functioning of the heart by recovering oxygenation of the cells. It also improves the circulation and muscle strength. Many whole meal products and green vegetables, mainly outer leaves of cabbage are good quality sources of vitamin E. The vitamin B group is important for heart and circulatory disorders. The finest sources of vitamin B are whole grains.

Vitamin C is another essential vitamin as it guards against spontaneous breaches in capillary walls which can direct to heart attacks. It also protects against high blood cholesterol. The strain of anger, fear, panic, 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.

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, and 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 fruit juice or coconut water.

Lunch: blended salad of vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, endive, carrots, cucumber, beetroot, tomato, onion and garlic. One or two slices of whole meal bread or chapattis, 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 must also pay attention to other laws of nature for health building such as taking
moderate exercise, getting proper rest and sleep, taking up the right mental attitude, 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 advantageous in cases of heart disease.

Hot foot and hand baths are excellent for lessening 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.

YOGA

Yoga Asanas  if practised regularly such as shavasana,  vajrasana,  and  gomukhasna, yogic kriyas like jalneti  and  pranayamas (Breath control exercises)   such as shitali, sitkari and bhramari are also helpful in providing relief to heart patients and improve their quality of life.

IECP Treatment

Increased external counter Pulsation (IECP) is highly recommended for many cardiac problems (as is said when nothing works IECP works so better it the first chance) Increased  External Counter Pulsation (IECP) significantly increases diastolic and mean pressures and reduces systolic pressure in the central aorta and coronary artery. Coronary artery flow is increased during Increased External Counter Pulsation (IECP). The combined effects of systolic unloading and increased coronary perfusion pressure provide evidence that Increased External Counter Pulsation (IECP) may serve as a potential mechanical assist device and create new pathways for the blood flow to the heart thus better oxygen distribution. This pumps in new life into a patient giving him better movement and exercise potential.