Home Remedies and Herbs for Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is often called simply, heart disease. There are different types of cardiovascular disease and some patients may have one or more of the diseases in this category. It is important to know what types of cardiovascular disease there are, the causes and symptoms. In its various forms, cardiovascular disease is something that can be managed and treated with the help of a qualified doctor and the right cardiovascular disease team.¹

What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?

There are a wide variety of causes in relation to cardiovascular disease. There are common ones that are often brought up in cardiac circles and there are others that may not be as well known. The most common causes of cardiovascular disease are thought to be:

• Not exercising
• Tobacco use
• Not eating the right food
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Family history
• Diabetes

• Age
• Gender
• Ethnic background²

What are the Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease can present with a variety of symptoms. These symptoms can vary from patient to patient. It depends on the severity of the cardiovascular disease. There are common symptoms of cardiovascular disease to watch out for. Those are:

• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Weakness
• Dizziness both sitting and upon standing
• Sweating
• Nausea³

How is Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosed?

Cardiovascular disease can be diagnosed in a few different ways. The first part of diagnosis is for the doctor (usually a cardiologist) to get a complete list of symptoms and a medical history for the patient. If the patient has shown signs of cardiovascular disease in the past this may be relatively easy to do. The doctor may also decide to run specific diagnostic tests to check for or confirm a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Some of the tests used may be:

• EKG (Electrocardiogram)
• Stress tests
• Blood tests
• Chest x-rays
• Echocardiogram (kind of like an ultrasound for the heart)

How is Cardiovascular Disease Treated?

Treating cardiovascular disease is not particularly difficult in most cases. Once a diagnosis and cause is ascertained, the treatment protocol may vary from person to person. Some doctors will prescribe lifestyle changes (getting more exercise or quitting smoking) while other doctors may suggest a particular medication to control symptoms of cardiovascular disease. In the most severe cases of cardiovascular disease the doctor may suggest a surgical procedure to correct the issue. This usually only happens in the most severe cases.⁵

Natural Medicinal Options for Cardiovascular Disease

• Green Tea - Drinking green tea a few times a day may help control the symptoms of cardiovascular disease. There are compounds in green tea that have been shown to give heart healthy benefits.
• Garlic - Garlic is a wonderful herb for cardiovascular disease patients. The compounds in fresh garlic, if eaten a few times a week can help blood flow throughout the body as well as to and from the heart.
• Cayenne Pepper - Due to the capsaicin in this herb, it can be great for cardiovascular disease. The main ingredient dilates the blood vessels allowing for improved blood flow.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular disease is a condition that can affect many people. It is not based on one singular factor however; it can be devastating to get a cardiovascular diagnosis. It’s manageable with the proper treatment. It is also important to get a doctor who understands your particular type of cardiovascular disease. It is also important that once diagnosis occurs, treatment begins as quickly as possible. Given proper treatment and physician guidance, a person with cardiovascular disease can live a very normal and full life.

References

1. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp#.VyTFc_krLIV
2. http://www.world-heart-federation.org/heart-facts/resources/videos/about-cvd/risk-factors/
3. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-symptoms
4. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw/diagnosis
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/basics/treatment/con-20034056