|
Heart
Disease
What to look for
tight, suffocating chest
pain, often associated with angina and heart attack.
sensations of fluttering,
thumping, pounding, or racing of the heart, known as palpitations.
shortness of breath.
fluid retention in the
legs, ankles, abdomen, lungs, or heart.
light headedness,
weakness, dizziness, or fainting spells.
Please be aware that
sometimes heart disease has no symptoms or the symptoms may be the result of another
condition.
The most common types of
heart disease are following -
Heart
Arrhythmia’s - Arrhythmia’s are irregularities in the heart's normal
beating pattern.
Coronary Heart
Disease - This is the most common heart problem and is characterised by blocked
coronary arteries resulting in a reduced blood flow and oxygen to the heart. This blockage
could have started from the time you were very young and just became progressively worse
over the years. This is the most common heart problem and is characterised by blocked
coronary arteries resulting in a reduced blood flow and oxygen to the heart. This blockage
could have started from the time you were very young and just became progressively worse
over the years.
This type of heart disease
is very concerning as it can lead to heart failure, angina, attacks and death.
There are no exact known
causes of coronary heart disease, however there are certain risk factors responsible for
the development of the disease.
|
|
it runs in families
it is more common in men
people over the age of 40
are more likely to get this disease
Diabetics
are also more prone to heart disease.
smoking significantly
increases the chances of coronary heart disease
being overweight
having high cholesterol
leading a sedentary life
stress
Heart Valve Disease -
The heart depends on four valves to keep the blood flowing in the right direction.
Diseases of the valves is not quite as prevalent these days due to nutrition awareness. A
faulty valve may not open or close properly. A defective valve may have been present from
birth or the valves may be inflamed.
The heart depends on four valves to keep the blood flowing in the right direction.
Diseases of the valves is not quite as prevalent these days due to nutrition awareness. A
faulty valve may not open or close properly. A defective valve may have been present from
birth or the valves may be inflamed.
Pericardial Disease -
Any disease of the pericardium, the fibrous membrane in which the heart sits, is
classified as pericardial disease. One of the more common is an inflammatory condition
called pericarditis. It is usually caused by viral infection. Pericarditis often subsides
on its own, but it also responds to anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin. Any disease of the pericardium, the fibrous membrane in which the heart sits, is
classified as pericardial disease. One of the more common is an inflammatory condition
called pericarditis. It is usually caused by viral infection. Pericarditis often subsides
on its own, but it also responds to anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.
Primary Myocardial
Disease (Cardiomyopathy) - This is a heart muscle disease which makes the muscle
become weak and flabby so that the heart gets bigger as the muscle wall dilates under the
strain. Usually it is unknown what causes this disease. This is a heart muscle disease which makes the muscle
become weak and flabby so that the heart gets bigger as the muscle wall dilates under the
strain. Usually it is unknown what causes this disease.
Congenital Heart
Disease - The development of the heart inside the womb is a very complicated and
intricate process and can occasionally go wrong. In this case, a baby is born with heart
defects, and the exact reason why this occurs is hard to fathom. The development of the heart inside the womb is a very complicated and
intricate process and can occasionally go wrong. In this case, a baby is born with heart
defects, and the exact reason why this occurs is hard to fathom.
Genetic abnormalities or
infections contracted during pregnancy by the mother may also result in congenital heart
disease for the child.
Causes
You will have to describe
your symptoms to your doctor in order for him or her to diagnose which heart disease you
have, if any. An examination will then take place along with listening to the heart itself
for clues.
If heart disease is
suspected, further tests will be performed.
Traditional Treatment
It is best to seek
conventional medical treatments if there is any suspected heart disease. Alternative
remedies should also be used but as supplements or in addition to your conventional
treatment.
The basis of conventional
care is the use of drugs and surgery as well as to help make the correct changes to your
diet and lifestyle.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Alternative medicine
preaches prevention as its mainstay.
Relaxation - Focus
on techniques to help the body to relax and reduce stress and consequently avoid, control
or prevent heart disease. Relaxation reduces stress, and stress has been identified as a
likely risk factor for coronary heart disease. Focus
on techniques to help the body to relax and reduce stress and consequently avoid, control
or prevent heart disease. Relaxation reduces stress, and stress has been identified as a
likely risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Chinese Medicine -
Practitioners
of traditional Chinese medicine generally view heart disease as arising from heart
weakness or blocked energy flow. Depending on the symptoms, standard treatment would
involve prescribed herbal remedies plus massage, acupuncture, and dietary recommendations. Practitioners
of traditional Chinese medicine generally view heart disease as arising from heart
weakness or blocked energy flow. Depending on the symptoms, standard treatment would
involve prescribed herbal remedies plus massage, acupuncture, and dietary recommendations.
Herbal Therapies - The
plant world is full of herbs that can affect the heart. The therapeutic properties of some
have been tested and trialed with positive results. The
plant world is full of herbs that can affect the heart. The therapeutic properties of some
have been tested and trialed with positive results.
The effects of others, such
as motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) and yarrow (Achillea
millefolium), are not as well researched yet perhaps no less effective. Certain herbs,
such as foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis),
contain compounds that make them particularly potent. Because of their potentially
dangerous side effects, they should be administered only by a Professional.
Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is a highly effective
heart healer. However, any herbal treatment of the heart should be supervised by a Health
Professional and approved by your doctor.
Homoeopathy - Homoeopathic
remedies may complement, but should not replace, prescribed medication for chronic heart
conditions. A homoeopath would be able to advise on the best preparation for your
particular condition. Homoeopathic
remedies may complement, but should not replace, prescribed medication for chronic heart
conditions. A homoeopath would be able to advise on the best preparation for your
particular condition.
Bach Flower Remedies
- Certain flower essences are reputed to be beneficial in the treatment of heart
disease. These are - holly and willow. Certain flower essences are reputed to be beneficial in the treatment of heart
disease. These are - holly and willow.
Lifestyle
You should make certain
adjustments to your lifestyle if you want to avoid this disease:
Dietary Considerations
It is vitally important
that your diet is low in fat and salt, high in fibre.
There are also specific
vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, such as magnesium,
potassium, niacin (vitamin B3), many other B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine (an amino acid),
and the fatty acids in fish oils, that specifically protect against heart and arterial
disease.
Prevention
Eat more fruits,
vegetables, and grains, and fewer foods that are salty, high in fat, or fried.
Exercise regularly
Drink alcohol in
moderation, if you do drink.
Don't smoke.
Learn to control stress.
When to seek further
professional advice
you experience
unusual chest pain, particularly if it persists or recurs.
if your heat beat is
consistently irregular .
you become suddenly
dizzy, light headed, weak, or faint.
|
