Angina

Angina is the squeezing, crushing like pain felt in the heart, because of insufficient blood and oxygen in the cardiac tissues. Angina typically begins as a slight painful sensation felt in the region immediately below the breastbone, slowly radiating out into the shoulders, the arm, or the jaw, the pain increases in intensity finally reaching a plateau-after which it begins to abate. An attack of angina can persist for up to 15 minutes at a time.Atherosclerosis or the accumulation of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart with blood is the primary reason for angina in all patients with the condition. The muscles in the heart require blood and oxygen like any other body muscle, to do its work of pumping blood and to keep the circulatory system going heart muscles must be healthy and strong at all stages of a person's life.The heart muscles are starved of oxygen if a person having atherosclerosis performs strenuous exercise, this is because even if the arteries remain wide enough to provide sufficient blood flow during muscular rest, but they can't supply enough oxygen when the physical demands on the cardiac tissue increases. Angina attacks are therefore often triggered by any kind of sudden exertion, these include activities such as climbing up stairs, running for the bus, or shoveling snow, these activities can put a sudden strain on the pumping ability of the heart muscles leading to an attack of angina. A temporary block in the coronary arteries can also lead to angina attacks in some cases, even though these attacks are not connected to any physical activity. These can come about when a small blood clot forms on the surface of a blood vessel's plaque leading to the clogging of the coronary artery. Spasms in the coronary artery can also give rise to attacks of angina.Supplements and herbsAll the supplements and herbs that are given can be used in combination or even alone as treatment for angina in the vast majority of patients. Prescription medications for angina can also be complemented by these herbs-they can be taken together. The advice of a doctor is essential if you intend to stop taking medication for problems related to the heart.Cellular damage within the body can be avoided and prevented by supplements of the vitamins C and E in all patients. Arteries that have been injured by plaque accumulation can be repaired by the use of supplements of the vitamin C. Plaque buildup and accumulation can be blocked by the supplements of the vitamin E which blocks the oxidation of LDL or the so called "bad" cholesterol, this form of cholesterol is the initial trigger to the formation of plaque. Some minerals may be responsible for lowering the spasm in the coronary arteries; the level of these minerals and substances in the body is often low in some people with heart disease. Good examples for these substances are the vitamin E and the mineral magnesium.There are several ways in which the heart can receive benefit through the use of amino acids. The arterial walls relax under the presence of nitric oxide, the amino acid arginine plays an important role in forming this nitric oxide. The amount of time patients spend exercising at moderate intensity is increased and the chances of chest pain is correspondingly decreased when arginine was consumed thrice a day as a measure against angina-this relation between angina and arginine use was found during one study on patients. The energy utilization efficiency of heart muscles is also increased by carnitine, another amino acid-like substance which can be used as a supplemental measure in angina patients. The amino acid, taurine, is possibly related to an ability to moderate heart rhythm abnormalities in patients with angina.The workings of cardiac muscles can also be promoted and enhanced by the nutritional supplement coenzyme Q10 in an action similar to that of carnitine-this supplement reduces the hearts workload from daily stress. The hawthorn is another excellent herbal supplement that has been shown to be able to improve the blood flow to the heart in angina patients who took it. The flexibility of the arteries is maintained by including the essential fatty acids in the diet and these fats are also very effective in lowering triglyceride levels within the body-all factors that reduce the stress on the heart.What else you can doDiet should preferably rich in dietary fiber and should be low in fat. Some alternatives like using canola or olive oil instead of butter will promote health and avoid unnecessary complications. Stop smoking and avoid going to areas where there are likely to be smokers to reduce the chances of lapsing into the habit again and to prevent breathing in secondhand smoke. Relaxing is one of the best ways to beat angina. Relaxation techniques and meditation, including all techniques such as t'ai chi, and yoga may reduce the chances angina attacks and you should give them a try. Angina patients can benefit from the companionship offered through a support group. Your aim is to reverse the causes of the disease and as such you should spend time determining what factors have led you to this point in your life and what measures need to be taken to return to normalcy.