Home Remedies and Herbs for Heart Disease

Heart disease is a term used to describe a range of conditions affecting the heart and circulatory system¹. Heart disease facts say the condition is the number one killer in the U.S.² This can include ailments like those on the following heart diseases list:

• Coronary Artery Disease - This occurs when your arteries become narrow and hardened. Because of this, blood has a hard time traveling through your arteries, so the heart doesn’t get the blood it needs. Of the types of heart disease, coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart attacks³. It is also the most common type of heart disease in the U.S.⁴
• Heart Failure - This occurs when the heart can’t pump enough blood to other organs of the body. It does not mean the heart has stopped³.
• Heart Arrhythmia - This is a condition characterized by changes in heartbeat. It usually is not dangerous, but if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or dizziness, treat it as an emergency³.
• Heart Valve Problems - Patients may experience instances where the heart valves don’t open enough (stenosis) or when they don’t close properly (regurgitation). This can cause blood to flow in the wrong direction⁵.

What Causes Heart Disease?

Heart disease causes are very diverse depending on the types of heart disease and the individual patient. Heart disease causes may include:

• Smoking
• High amounts of fats and cholesterol in the blood (oftentimes caused by diet)
• High blood pressure
• High amounts of sugar in the blood (due to insulin resistance or diabetes)
• Blood vessel inflammation⁶
• Genetic defects
• Drug abuse
• Stress
• Some medications⁷

Many heart disease causes can be managed for heart disease prevention. However, experiencing heart disease symptoms does not necessarily mean a patient is at fault, though healthy choices can help ease symptoms.

Heart Disease Symptoms

Heart disease symptoms may vary between the different types of heart disease. These can include:

• Sharp chest pain
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, and back
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Swelling in feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen
• Heart palpitations⁸
• Pain, numbness, or coldness in arms or legs
• Abnormally slow or fast heartbeat
• Dizziness⁹

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Heart Disease

Heart disease is a condition that can usually be controlled or prevented through a healthy lifestyle. Natural heart disease treatment options include:

• Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic, Ginger, and Lemon- Mixing these ingredients in equal amounts has been said to be an effective at-home heart disease treatment. Drink 1 tablespoon of the mixture in the morning for best results.
• Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne pepper promotes open arteries, which makes it a viable heart disease prevention technique. Mix 1 teaspoon with one cup of water daily, or take it in capsules to reap its benefits.
• Garlic - Among the heart diseases list, one of the biggest causes is high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Garlic helps combat these issues. Eat one clove of garlic daily for heart disease prevention. You can also use garlic as a substitute for flavor in salty dishes since heart disease facts state that patients should avoid salt and high-sodium foods⁹.
• Hawthorn - Hawthorn extract is an effective heart disease treatment, particularly for patients with congenital heart failure¹⁰, when taken in doses of 300 to 600 mg three times per day.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/basics/definition/con-20034056
2. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heartdiseases.html
3. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/heart-disease.html#a
4. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/
5. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp#.V2U_YrgrLIV
6. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw/causes
7. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/basics/causes/con-20034056
8. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw/signs
9. http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/heart-failure
10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11834913