After you find out that you did not suffer a heart attack, you may want to reduce your risk of another painful angina episode. The Mayo Clinic reports that an attack of angina pectoris is the result of too little blood flow to your heart. Controlling angina with natural therapies includes addressing the underlying cause of the problem and minimizing your risk of a subsequent attack. Because chest pain may be the symptom of a serious disorder, always see your doctor for a diagnosis before treating the condition with natural remedies.
Diet
Eat four or five small meals per day instead of three large meals. Avoid stuffing yourself until you feel overly full. Cut down or eliminate saturated fats from your diet. Add fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain products. You will be healthier, and you may lose excess weight, another factor that contributes to angina episodes.
Avoid
Stop smoking. Inhaling tobacco may damage the lining of your arteries, increasing the risk of cholesterol buildup, which reduces blood flow. In addition, breathing second-hand smoke may increase your risk of artery damage, leading to an angina episode.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases your risk of another angina attack and damages your artery walls. Like smoking, prolonged high blood pressure may lead to blocked arteries. Reduce or eliminate salt from your diet. Start a regular exercise program, even if it is just a daily walk. Clear all new exercises programs with your doctor.
Herbal and Alternative Remedies
Nature plays an important part in a healthy lifestyle. The "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine" recommends adding garlic to your diet to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol. Other natural substances that may reduce cholesterol include red yeast extract, alfalfa, turmeric, myrrh, fenugreek and Korean ginseng. Yarrow, hawthorn and linden may lower high blood pressure.
Reducing your risk of coronary artery disease also reduces your risk of angina. Some dietary supplements, including the Vitamin B-complex, magnesium, chromium, calcium and zinc may reduce your risk of coronary artery disease. In addition, learning to relax with yoga or aromatherapy can reduce the risk of future angina attacks by controlling your stress level.
Warning
Discuss natural remedies for treating angina with your family doctor. Some herbs may interact with medications you are currently taking. Although angina rarely results in permanent damage, it signifies the presence of an underlying disorder that a qualified medical professional should diagnose and treat.
References
- Mayo Clinic
- Mother Nature
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine;" Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
