Angina
This
is the general term given to painful symptoms, manifesting in the
chest but also in the neck, arms, jaw, or back, and resulting from
a lack of blood flow to the heart. In this sense angina is a strong
indicator of the possibility of an infarct, or heart attack, which
would occur if blood flow to the heart through the coronary artery
were completely impeded. Angina is a clear sign that atherosclerosis
and coronary artery disease are progressing and require immediate
aggressive treatment.
Treatment
Goal(s):
· Increase blood flow to the heart, increase cardiovascular
efficiency, reduce atherosclerosis.
.
Primary Treatment:.
· Administer Crategus oxyacantha (Hawthorn) tincture in doses
of up to 2 tsp. three times daily. During an acute attack, an entire
ounce of Crategus tincture may be used.
· If tolerated by the GI tract, administer capsules of Capsicum
frutescens (Cayenne) to dilate the arteries.
Supportive
Treatment:
· Reducing or eliminating saturated fats and eliminating
trans-fats from the diet will help in atherosclerosis. Focus on
reduced salt intake and whole grain brown rice as the principal
carbohydrate. Use garlic (3-4 cloves a day) and turmeric liberally
in the diet, along with antioxidant-rich foods (see Atherosclerosis).
· Support the nervous system using appropriate tonics and/or
relaxants as indicated.
· Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort) is helpful in increasing
arterial elasticity and improving blood flow to the heart. Ginkgo
biloba helps increase oxygen circulation.
Differential
diagnoses, cautions, and other considerations:
· There can be many reasons for chest pain. Angina usually
(though not always) comes on after cardiovascular exertion (not
necessarily heavy muscular exertion). The other reasons for chest
pain that should be ruled out are: muscular strain (usually localized,
able to be traced to an event or injury, and helped by anti-inflammatory
herbs such as Filipendula); asthma (which also can happen upon exertion
but usually has a clear respiratory wheezing component); and heartburn
(usually more burning and related to food / alcohol / sugar /coffee
consumption rather than exertion.
· If you suspect angina and the patient has not seen a medical
doctor, refer to one for confirmation and consultation.
