Coronary Heart Disease
Myocardial Infarction
Definition
Sometimes called a "coronary" or a "heart attack", myocardial infarction
is a condition caused by occlusion of one or more of the coronary
arteries. The symptoms include prolonged heavy pressure or squeezing
pain in the center of the chest behind the sternum (breast bone).
Typically, the patient will describe this by clenching a fist and
holding it over the heart to demonstrate the character of the pain.
The pain may spread to the shoulder, neck, arm, and fourth and fifth
fingers of the left hand; to the back, to the teeth, or to the jaw.
These symptoms may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, sweating,
and shortness of breath. The may come and go.
It is important that medical care be obtained without delay. About
half of myocardial infarction patients die prior to reaching the hospital.
Delaying specific therapy may cause loss of life.
When the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen thicken,
harden, and narrow, the heart is deprived of needed oxygen. This deprivation
often results in chest pain, called angina pectoris. When damage to
the heart muscle is incurred, the individual suffers a heart attack
or myocardial infarction. In addition to insufficient blood flow to
the heart can cause abnormal heartbeat rhythms called arrhythmias.
A coronary may be triggered by a partial or complete blockage of
the coronary arteries, an emotional crisis, a heavy meal, or overexertion
from exercise or heavy lifting.
Cardiac failure is a condition resulting fro inability of the heart
to pump sufficient blood to meet the needs of the body. Following
a coronary, the heart muscles may be damaged or scarred, resulting
in the inability of the heart to perform normally. Cardiac insufficiency
is the inadequate cardiac output due to failure of the heart to function
properly, as in valvular deficiency.
Symptoms
Nervous agitation, rapid tiring, and "running out of breath" while
exerting oneself by climbing stairs or performing physical labor are
early signs of heart disease. Palpitations, angina pectoris, difficulty
of breathing (shortness of breath), hypertension, edema, dropsy, decline
in performance, are all symptoms of the older patient.
Recovery from illness, especially infectious illnesses, or operations,
is slow in some people. They can't quite seem to "get back on their
feet", they feel lethargic and tired, even though they have recovered
from the illness. This indicates something wrong with the circulatory
system, blood pressure is often low. See the doctor, this may be a
sign of heart problems later on in life.
Nutrients
Choline and inositol and lecithin, taken as directed on the label
(these substances aid in the removal of fat from the liver and bloodstream).
Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg. per day, improves
heart muscle oxygenation. Selenium, 300 mg. per day (a
deficiency of selenium has been implicated in heart disease). Vitamin
E capsules or liquid or emulsion, 200 IU per day,
increase slowly to 800 IU per day for capsules or liquid,
take as directed on the label for emulsion. Calcium, 1,500 mg.
per day in divided doses, is important for maintaining proper heart
rhythm and blood pressure. Magnesium chelate, 1,000 mg.
per day in divided doses, is important for maintaining proper heart
rhythm and blood pressure. Copper, 3 mg. per day. Garlic
capsules, 2 capsules 3 times per day, helps
promote circulation. L-Carnitine and L-cysteine
and L-methionine, 500 mg. each per day,
prevents heart disease by reducing blood fat. Multidigestive enzymes,
2 tablets between meals, is an anti-inflammatory agent.
Unsaturated fatty acids (primrose or salmon oil), taken as directed
on the label, protects the heart muscle cells. Vitamin A
emulsion, taken as directed on the label, is an important antioxidant.
Zinc chelate, 50 mg. per day, is necessary for proper
balance with copper and for thiamin utilization. Vitamin C
and bioflavonoids, 3,000-5,000 mg. per day, aids in thinning
the blood; helps prevent blood clots.
Herbs
TB
- Angelica
- Apple
- Artichoke
- Ash, prickly
- Bayberry
- Betony, wood
- Bitter root
- Bittersweet
- Blackberry
- Borage
- Broom
- Butcher's broom
- Butterbur
- Cayenne
- Celandine
- Chamomile
- Chicory
- Cheoanthus
- Cherry, wild
- Clover, red
- Cohosh, black
- Coriander
- Cramp bark
- Dandelion
- Fennel
- Fig
- Five finger grass
- Fo-ti
- Fringe tree
- Garlic
- Gentian
- Ginger, wild
- Ginkgo biloba
- Ginseng
- Goldenseal
- Gum plant
- Hawthorn, berries
- Hibiscus flowers
- Hops
- Horsetail
- Ivy, ground
- Lambkill
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemon balm
- Hawthorn
- Heart leaf root
- Heartsease
- Honeysuckle
- Indigo, wild
- Lily-of-the-valley
- Linden
- Lobelia
- Mistletoe
- Motherwort
- Moss, Irish
- Mullein
- Oat
- Olive
- Onion
- Orange
- Parsley
- Peppermint
- Plantain
- Pleurisy root
- Pokeroot
- Primrose, evening
- Psyllium
- Radish, black
- Red root
- Rose hips
- Rosemary
- Sage
- St. John's wort
- Skullcap
- Stoneroot
- Starwberry, wild
- Sunflower
- Valerian
- Vervain
- Willow, black, American
- Yarrow
- Yellow dock
Recommendations
Diet should be high in fiber. Oat bran is a good source; also add
the following to the diet: almonds, brewer's yeast, grains, raw goat's
milk, and goat's milk products, and sesame seeds.
Minimize vitamin D intake; do not obtain vitamin D from
dairy products (they are high in fat). Avoid homogenized products,
they currently contain the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which damages
the arteries and leads to arteriosclerosis.
Refrain from alcohol use. Avoid cod liver oil. Coffee, colas, tobacco,
and other stimulants should be avoided.
Barley water is helpful. Boil 1 cup of barley in 6
pints of water for 3 hrs. Sip barley water all
day long.
Do not eat red meat, highly spiced foods, sugars, or white flour.
Sensible, moderate exercise and a proper diet with nutritional supplements
can prevent arteriosclerosis of the coronary arteries and myocardial
infarction.
Suggestions
Drink steam-distilled water only. Consult the doctor.
Hawthorn flower tea:
Pour 1 cup of hot water over 1 heaping tsp. of hawthorn
flowers, let steep for 15 minutes, then strain.
In the morning or after breakfast, drink 1 cup of tea
in sips, and drink a like amount before going to bed. The evening
cup of tea also helps you to go to sleep and promotes nighttime regeneration.
Sweeten the evening tea with 1 tsp. of honey (no sweetening
for diabetics).
|
Back to Top
