Angina is a common condition that can cause chest pain. While there are many medical treatments for angina, there are also some natural remedies that can help to relieve the symptoms. Some of these remedies include herbs, diet, and lifestyle changes.
These home remedies for angina not only help to reduce chest pain but can also reverse the underlying heart condition. Earlier you deal with it naturally, better for your overall health and longevity.
Angina is a warning signal. Though it does not cause permanent damage to the heart, it is serious because it is an indicator of underlying coronary artery disease. In some people, it can progress to cause a heart attack and death. Activities like climbing stairs and limiting the amount of exercise you can perform get limited in angina.
During an angina attack, you should stop what you are doing and wait for the pain to pass. If the pain lasts for longer than 15 minutes, you should dial 999.
The following are common symptoms of angina.
- Fullness, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest
- Weakness
- Indigestion
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Cramping
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain and discomfort moving to jaw, neck, shoulder, back, or arm
What is Angina and Its Symptoms?
Angina pectoris or simply angina is chest pain related to heart disease.
It is a discomfort for a short period when heart muscles do not get enough blood and thereby not enough oxygen. This happens because one or more of the heart's arteries is narrowed or blocked. It may give a squeezing feeling in the chest, or the pain may travel to the shoulders, arms, neck, back, and jaws.
Angina is common in people over the age of 50 however it can occur at younger ages also. It is more common in men than women. Angina pain generally lasts from 1 to 15 minutes. There can be multiple instances of such pain during a week.
People with valve heart disease and people with enlarged heart (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can also get angina attacks. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can also cause angina.
Angina is a warning signal. Though it does not cause permanent damage to the heart, it is serious because it is an indicator of underlying coronary artery disease. In some people, it can progress to cause a heart attack and death. Activities like climbing stairs and limiting the amount of exercise you can perform get limited in angina.
During an angina attack, you should stop what you are doing and wait for the pain to pass. If the pain lasts for longer than 15 minutes, you should dial 999.
The following are common symptoms of angina.
- Fullness, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest
- Weakness
- Indigestion
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Cramping
- Shortness of breath.
- Pain and discomfort moving to jaw, neck, shoulder, back, or arm.
It is important to note that all such pains may not be of angina. Acid reflux (heartburn) and lung infection or inflammation can have the same symptoms.
It is important to note that all such pains may not be of angina. Acid reflux (heartburn) and lung infection or inflammation can have the same symptoms.
Types of Angina
There are two major types of Angina. The first one is stable angina, where symptoms are predictable as there is always a trigger such as exertion, fatigue, anger, or some other form of stress. There are many natural home remedies for angina for the stable type to get pain relief.
- Stable angina- Stable angina often gets triggered in the activities that require more blood in the heart, such as sudden fast running whereas walking might not. Angina may happen during exercise, strong emotions, or extreme temperatures. Sometimes it can occur while resting in people who get heart muscle spasms.
- Unstable Angina- Unstable angina is random and unpredictable. Symptoms of unstable angina occur without any trigger, therefore it sometimes remains unnoticed and that is dangerous. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Unstable angina usually occurs at rest and lasts longer than stable angina. Even nitroglycerin often can’t help to reduce pain. You may wake up from the sleep
Unstable angina occurs due to the rupture of a plaque in a coronary artery creating a partial blockage of the artery. As the ruptured plaque and the blood clot moves in the artery, the ruptured plaque may grow or shrink causing an irregular blood flow resulting in angina.
If the ruptured plaque causes a complete block of an artery then the lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscle from that artery may cause irreversible muscle damage. This means a full-blown heart attack is imminent.
That is why unstable angina should never be ignored and immediate medical attention should be given. Stable angina is less dangerous. Let us understand the options for pain relief and cure if it is stable angina.
7 Effective Home Remedies for Angina
The home remedies for angina given here will not only give you pain relief but also help you to get rid of angina. These remedies work on reducing cholesterol levels, removing plaque from your arteries, and making your heart healthy.
1. Garlic
Though Garlic is an herb well known for flavoring food, it has been used as a medicine since ancient times. Garlic has been found very beneficial in heart and blood system-related conditions and diseases including angina.
Garlic contains a compound called allicin which is responsible for its flavor as well as for its medicinal properties.
The Health benefits of garlic are many. It is used to prevent and treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and even a heart attack. It is specifically found effective in slowing the development of atherosclerosis in some scientific studies. As all the above conditions can cause angina, garlic becomes very useful in treating it.
Boil 2 cloves of garlic in a glass of milk and drink it. Even swallowing 2 cloves of raw garlic is equally powerful and it doesn’t leave a lingering garlic smell in the mouth.
2. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C and contains some of the highest levels of antioxidants a fruit contains.
Grapefruit contains also pectin, a form of soluble fiber that slows down the progression of atherosclerosis. They have been found to reduce cholesterol, particularly the harmful type of Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL). It helps in angina.
Daily consumption of 200 ml grapefruit juice will keep the heart healthy and free from angina.
- Add one grapefruit chopped pieces to your green salads or
- Drink a glass of grapefruit juice every day
- Mix grapefruit and orange juice for daily consumption
If you are taking any drugs then the use of grapefruit should be confirmed by a doctor as grapefruit interact with many drugs.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon like all other citrus fruits is rich in Vitamin C which is an excellent antioxidant. Daily consumption of juice of one lemon diluted in one glass of water is good for angina. Lemon stops the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries. Honey can be added for taste as honey is also beneficial for angina.
- Add the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey and stir well
- Drink this lemon juice twice daily
4. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe juice is another cure for most angina pains. The adenosine compound found in cantaloupe helps thin the blood. This helps reduction in angina due to better blood flow.
- Cut a cantaloupe in half
- Remove the seeds and peel off the outer hardcover
- Cut the meat into small pieces and toss them in a blender mixer
- Add 1 glass of water and blend
- Drink and enjoy
5. Reduce Fatty Food Consumption
The first and most useful home remedy for angina is to reduce the intake of fatty foods. Always stay away from food with too much cholesterol.
6. Vegetables
Vegetables like Spinach Carrot and Broccoli are an excellent food for treating angina. A daily helping of raw or cooked the above vegetables will help a lot in reducing angina incidences.
7. Exercise Regularly
Light exercise like brisk walking for 40 minutes greatly helps in reducing angina incidences. Aerobic exercises are also good.
Precautions and Tips
Angina is a lifestyle disorder. Fix your lifestyle and your angina will be gone. Do the following to stay healthy
- Sleep on time daily and sleep for 7-8 hours at least
- Eat healthy food -avoid saturated fats and salt
- Keep yourself active, walk, swim and play outdoor games
- Practice relaxation like yoga and meditation to reduce stress
With all these remedies and precautions you will soon be angina free. Keep your doctor in the loop to monitor you regularly for a much faster recovery.
Bottomline
In conclusion, natural remedies for angina can be very effective. These remedies can help to improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation. If you are considering using any of these remedies, be sure to talk to your doctor first.