Treatment advice for Heart disease
Hawthorn (Crataegus)
A cardiovascular tonic, hawthorn strengthens the normal function and structure of your cardiovascular system in a general manner. As a mild hypotensive it can help lower blood pressure, and it’s an antioxidant, which can help prevent heart disease. Hawthorn also can be used to treat congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and hypertension.
When it comes to your heart’s emotional health, hawthorn also can be beneficial for those with irritable, nervous heart conditions that are related to an emotional heartache. It can help open your heart to forgiveness, while also providing nutrition and support to your heart.
Rose (Rosa)
Although more commonly recognized as a symbol of love this month, rose also is worthy of accolades for its healthy-heart properties. Rose can be used to treat hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and it can help increase circulation.
Legend may be at the root of the popularity of roses this month, as the petals are recognized for their aphrodisiac qualities. Rose also can help calm your nerves, open your heart and lift your spirits.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
This herb has cardioprotective effects, is a relaxant and is antihypertensive. It can be used for those with nervous debility triggered by irritation and unrest, or as a gentle cardiotonic specifically for cardiac disorders with nervous origin, including anxiety and palpitations.
Motherwort also is useful in strengthening the heart, and can help decrease high blood pressure caused by to stress.
Heartsease (Viola)
Herbalists have reportedly used heartsease for many centuries: References to heartsease, commonly known as pansy, can be found in the plays of William Shakespeare. It was believed that a tea made from heartsease could purportedly induce love, heal a broken heart and produce peace of mind.
Linden (Tilia)
A mild antihypertensive, linden can help ease restlessness and nervousness, and it is a vasodilatory, which means it can help dilate blood vessels that are constricted. Linden also can help provide relaxation from nervous tension, and it can be helpful for palpitations due to stress.
Some lifestyle measures can help reduce the risk of heart disease. These include:
- Eating a balanced diet. Opt for a heart-healthy diet that is rich in fibre and favours whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Limit the intake of processed foods and added fat, salt, and sugar.
- Exercising regularly. This can help strengthen the heart and circulatory system, reduce cholesterol, and maintain blood pressure. A person may wish to aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week.
- Maintaining a moderate body weight. A healthy body mass index (BMI) is typically between 20 and 25.
- Quitting or avoiding smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart and cardiovascular conditions.
- Limiting alcohol intake. Women should consume no more than one standard drink per day, and men should consume no more than two standard drinks per day.
- Managing underlying conditions. Seek treatment for conditions that affect heart health, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
Taking these steps can help boost overall health and reduce the risk of heart disease and its complications.
Advice for Heart Disease
Heart disease develops when there is:
- Damage to all or part of the heart
- A problem with the blood vessels leading to or from the heart
- A low supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart
- A problem with the rhythm of the heart
In some cases, there is a genetic cause. However, some lifestyle factors and medical conditions can also increase the risk. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- A high intake of alcohol
- Overweight and obesity
- Diabetes
- A family history of heart disease
- Dietary choices
- Age
- A history of preeclampsia during pregnancy
- Low activity levels
- Sleep apnoea
- High stress and anxiety levels
- Leaky heart valves
The symptoms of heart disease depend on the specific type a person has. Also, some heart conditions cause no symptoms at all.
That said, the following symptoms may indicate a heart problem:
- Angina, or chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue and light-headedness
- Swelling due to fluid retention, or edema
In children, the symptoms of a congenital heart defect may include cyanosis, or a blue tinge to the skin, and an inability to exercise.
Some signs and symptoms that could indicate heart attack include:
- Chest pain
- Breathlessness
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Sweating
- Arm, Jaw, Back, or Leg pain
- A choking sensation
- Swollen ankles
- Fatigue
- An irregular heartbeat
Heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops and the body can no longer function. A person needs immediate medical attention if they have any symptoms of a heart attack.
If cardiac arrest occurs, the person will need:
- Immediate medical help
- Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- A shock from an automated external defibrillator, if available
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your personal and family medical history. The tests you’ll need to diagnose your heart disease depend on what condition your doctor thinks you might have. Besides blood tests and a chest X-ray, tests to diagnose heart disease can include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).An ECG is a quick and painless test that records the electrical signals in your heart. It can spot abnormal heart rhythms. You may have an ECG while you’re at rest or while exercising (stress electrocardiogram).
- Holter monitoring. A Holter monitor is a portable ECG device you wear to continuously record your heart rhythm, usually for 24 to 72 hours. Holter monitoring is used to detect heart rhythm problems that aren’t found during a regular ECG exam.
- Echocardiogram. This non-invasive exam uses sound waves to produce detailed images of your heart’s structure. It shows how your heart beats and pumps blood.
- Stress test. This type of test involves raising your heart rate with exercise or medicine while performing heart tests and imaging to check how your heart responds.
- Cardiac catheterization. In this test, a short tube (sheath) is inserted into a vein or artery in your leg (groin) or arm. A hollow, flexible and longer tube (guide catheter) is then inserted into the sheath. Using X-ray images on a monitor as a guide, your doctor carefully threads the catheter through the artery until it reaches your heart. During cardiac catheterization, the pressures in your heart chambers can be measured, and dye can be injected. The dye can be seen on an X-ray, which helps your doctor see the blood flow through your heart, blood vessels and valves to check for problems.
- Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan. In a cardiac CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and collects images of your heart and chest.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of your heart.
