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Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a general term that covers many common conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. These diseases are the number one health problem in the United States, causing more than 40 of al deaths. There are many different types of cardiovascular disease: angina, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmia and valvular disease.
Often these diseases have progressed quite far before there are any symptoms. Contributing factors and risk signs include high fat intake, high blood pressure, Type A behavior, ear lobe crease, family history, smoking, stress, obesity, diabetes, and high serum cholesterol, homocysteine, or triglycerides.
How Alternative Medicine may potentially help?
Certain nutrients help the cardiovascular system function properly and prevent the oxidative damage that leads to arteriosclerosis.
Herbs
- Garlic may be helpful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Hawthorn is clinically proven to aid in treating congestive heart failure and minor arrhythmias.
- Grape seed extract contains OPC flavonols proven to prevent damage to arteries, lower blood cholesterol, and shrink cholesterol deposits in arteries.
- GUGGLE - Indian ayurvedic herb, adjust bad blood cholesterol
- Beta Sitosterol - cholesterol fighter
- Commission E -- an expert committee on herbal remedies established by Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices -- has approved motherwort herb for nervous cardiac disorders such as tachycardia (irregular heart beat); hawthorn leaf with flower to help relax heart muscle and improve circulation to the heart; and ginkgo biloba leaf extract to improve blood flow in blocked arteries.
- Policosanol
Vitamins
- Vitamin E prevents oxidation of blood cholesterol, aids recovery from stroke, and reduces the risk of death from heart disease.
- Vitamin C prevents dangerous oxidation of blood cholesterol, inhibits platelet aggregation, strengthens artery walls, and reduces the risk of death from heart disease.
- Thiamin aids treatment of congestive heart failure, and is depleted by the common diuretic drug furosemide.
- Folic acid and vitamin B-12 reduce blood levels of homocysteine, a major risk factor for heart attack.
Minerals
- Magnesium is effective in treating congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, mitral valve prolapse and cardiomyopathies.
- Potassium has qualities important for electrolyte balance.
Other Natural Factors
- Omega-3 fatty acids lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and low tissue levels are associated with increased risk of death from CVD.
- Coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) is effective in treating symptomatic mitral valve prolapse and cardiomyopathies.
- Carnitine is effective in treating congestive heart failure.
Resources
- For more information, check out the American Heart Association's website at www.amhrt.org.