Angina
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- What is angina?
- Symptoms of angina
- Causes of angina
- Prevention of angina
- Risk factors for angina
- Complications of angina
- When to see a doctor about angina
- Diagnosis of angina
- Conventional treatment of angina
- Alternative/complementary treatment of angina
- Living with angina
- Caring for someone with angina
Alternative / complementary treatment of angina
Anyone who has any type of chest pain must seek emergency medical advice.
The alternative/complementary advice that is given here, may help to prevent angina (and heart disease) in the first place, but these strategies should not be used unless there is consent from your doctor. Supplements should never be combined with prescription (or over-the-counter) medications except with medical advice, as some combinations can produce serious complications.
Herbs
There are some herbs which have heart-protective benefits, but they need to be individually prescribed by a qualified herbalist to ensure the best benefit.
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which may be beneficial in maintaining good heart health (but do not take these in supplement form unless you have approval from your medical specialist to do so):
- Bioflavonoids - the antioxidant bioflavonoids, together with vitamin C, are necessary to help strengthen the walls of the capillaries, reduce the risk of plaque forming in the arteries, lowers the level of triglycerides in the blood and increases the level of HDL ("good") cholesterol
- Folic acid - the B vitamin, folic acid has vasodilation properties, which helps to ensure the blood vessels and arteries are not narrowed to allow proper blood flow
- Vitamin A - the antioxidant vitamin A is vital for the reducing oxidative damage from free radicals and ensure the cells in the heart are healthy. Studies show that people who have low levels of vitamin A have a less favourable prognosis if they have any type of underlying heart disease that is causing the angina
- Vitamin B3 - studies show that niacin and niacinamide (two forms of vitamin B3), together may help reduce the risk of plaque forming in the coronary arteries
- Vitamin C - the antioxidant vitamin C together with the bioflavonoids, is necessary to help strengthen the walls of the capillaries, reduce the risk of plaque forming in the arteries, lowers the level of triglycerides in the blood and increases the level of HDL ("good") cholesterol. Studies show that people who have low levels of vitamin C have a less favourable prognosis if they have any type of underlying heart disease that is causing the angina
- Vitamin E - the antioxidant vitamin E is essential for good heart health as it stabilised the heart, makes the blood less sticky and less likely to clot, dilates the blood vessels, which keeps them open and allows proper blood flow and it also reduces the risk of ischaemia, which is an inadequate supply of blood to the heart due to blockage in an artery. Studies also show that people who have low levels of vitamin E have a less favourable prognosis if they have any type of underlying heart disease that is causing the angina
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which may be beneficial in maintaining good heart health (but do not take these in supplement form unless you have approval from your medical specialist to do so):
- Magnesium - the mineral magnesium is really beneficial for the heart, as it helps to ensure the heart muscle is able to be relaxed (after contractions), functioning properly and the heart rate is normal. Adequate levels of magnesium are also necessary to reduce any calcium deposits in the arteries, which may cause blockages. One recent study suggested that magnesium deficiency may be the cause of the frequency of chest pain in variant angina. Another recent study suggested that intravenously given magnesium sulphate may significantly prevent spasms in the coronary arteries (variant angina)
- Selenium - the antioxidant mineral selenium is vital for the health of the heart and a deficiency is associated with a certain type of heart disease (Keshan's disease). Selenium also help vitamin E function more effectively in the body, which helps to better promote heart health. Research shows that people with any type of heart condition, generally have deficient levels of selenium in their blood, while other studies show that selenium supplementation helps to improve symptoms of angina
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Other nutrients
There are a number of other nutrients which may be beneficial in maintaining good heart health (but do not take these in supplement form unless you have approval from your medical specialist to do so):
- Arginine - studies show that the amino acid arginine is a vasodilator, which helps to keep the arteries and other blood vessels open, preventing narrowing and enabling proper blood flow. Studies show the effect of arginine on the arteries is greatly enhanced when vitamin C is also supplemented together
- Carnitine - studies show the amino-acid like nutrient, carnitine, is especially beneficial for the proper functioning of the heart and is well tolerated by people with stable angina. Carnitine helps with the production of energy at the cellular level and research shows it may help the heart produce more energy even with less available oxygen (due to the angina). Other studies show carnitine helps to transport the fatty acids into the mitochondria (for energy), increases levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol and reduces blood triglycerides levels
- Coenzyme Q10 - studies show that coenzyme Q10 helps to increase oxygen supply in the cells of the heart (which enables it to function more effectively) and it may be a supplement supplement to prevent further heart attacks
- Essential fatty acids - the omega-3 essential fatty acids (DHA/EPA) are vital for good heart health, as they reduce any inflammation in the body (especially the heart), which is associated with heart disease, helps to thin the blood, which reduces likelihood of blood clots and blockages and are recommended for heart health in general
- Glutamine - the amino acid glutamine, is a potent antioxidant, which may help to reduce stickiness of the blood and blood clots
- Lipoic acid - the antioxidant nutrient lipoic acid, helps to ensure the optimal functioning of the other antioxidant vitamins, as it boost their function
- Taurine - the amino acid taurine is recommended as research shows it helps to stabilise irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) which may be an underlying cause of the angina
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modifications which may be beneficial in maintaining good heart health:
- Eat more fruit and vegetables - intake of fresh fruit and vegetables needs to be increased so that the diet includes about 2-3 portions of fruit and 5-7 portions of vegetables every day. The vitamins, minerals and especially the antioxidants in the fruit and vegetables can help the heart function more effectively and reduce the risk of blockages in the coronary arteries
- Eat more garlic and onions - both garlic and onions, but especially garlic have blood thinning effects, which may help to prevent stickiness and blood clots, as well as reduce the risk of artery blockages. Fresh garlic and onions, are best, but they can be cooked in meals. People who cannot tolerate garlic can try supplements, but always seek the advice of a medical doctor before trying supplements as they may not be recommended in conjunction to your other medication
- Eat more ginger - fresh ginger is highly recommended as it helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Fresh ginger can be finely grated into smoothies and fruit juice and it can also be cooked in meals
- Eat more oily fish - research suggests that people at risk of any type of heart disease should eat more oily fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna). Heart foundations around the world recommends eating these types of fish around 2-3 times a week in order to provide adequate levels of the heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids from the fish
- Increase fibre intake - fibre is essential for ensuring good digestive health and good heart health, as adequate fibre intake reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood and this may be helpful in reducing the risk of blockages by the cholesterol in the arteries
- Increase intake of potassium-rich foods - the mineral potassium is needed to counter the effects of sodium, especially in people with high blood pressure, whose heart may not be functioning properly and may be causing the angina. Foods high in potassium include: bananas, apricots, treacle, sultanas, raisins, wheat bran, figs, currants, unsalted nuts, baked potato and most fruits and vegetables
- Increase intake of magnesium-rich foods - the mineral magnesium is so beneficial for the heart, as it helps to ensure the heart muscle is relaxed, functioning properly and heart rate is normal. Foods high in magnesium include: beans, spinach, wholegrain bread and cereals, wholemeal flour, yeast, seafood, almonds, brazil nuts, peanuts, walnuts and treacle
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may be beneficial in maintaining good heart health:
- Antibiotics - always use the antibiotics you have been prescribed around one hour before and also six hours after a dental procedure, to reduce risk of any bacterial infection of the heart
- Exercise - regular physical activity is recommended to help reduce the pressure on the heart and enable it to function better. People who have not exercised regularly should only do so under a doctor's advise
- Stop smoking - people who smoke are recommended to stop because the chemicals inside cigarettes can damage the walls of arteries and make them more susceptible to blockages and narrowing
- Stress reduction - there are a number of stress reduction therapies available for people who experience prolonged stress, as it is not healthy for the heart and could be the reason for the angina. Stress reduction therapies include: meditation, tai chi and yoga
- Weight reduction - people who are very overweight and obese will be advised to lose weight, because their excess weight may be causing the angina and heart condition
Alternative treatments
There are no other alternative treatments recommended for angina.
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with angina > Last reviewed: 24 August 2007 || Last updated: 6 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
