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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
Management of angina requires a multi-level approach:
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modifications that can be incorporated to reduce the impact of an unhealthy diet on the heart:
- Avoid eating large meals - people angina should eat about 5-6 smaller meals and avoid eating large meals which fill them up to much
- Fruit and vegetables - add more fruit and vegetables into your diet (your doctor will advise the same) to help your body get lots of antioxidants. Fruit should be fresh (and preferably organic) and vegetables should also be fresh (and preferably organic), with at least one raw salad, with lots of dark green leafy vegetables and other raw vegetables, plus some cooked vegetables. Aim to have 2-3 servings of fruit and about 5-7 servings of vegetables each day and don't worry if some days you don't meet this target, just try to do your best
- Garlic, ginger and onions - much research shows that garlic, ginger and onions are especially good for the heart, by reducing inflammation and ensuring the blood is less "sticky" and thick, which reduces the likelihood of any blood clots or blockages. Garlic, ginger and onions are also good for reducing levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, reducing blood triglyceride levels and maintaining healthy blood flow and normal blood pressure. Since garlic thins the blood, talk to your doctor before using a lot of it if you are also taking any blood thinning medication (Warfarin, Heparin) as it could thin your blood too much
- More oily fish - people with any type of heart condition are advised to eat oily fish around 2-3 times a week (as recommended by the Australian Heart Foundation). Certain fish have very high levels of the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which help the heart by enabling proper blood flow, reducing risk of blood clots, reducing levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and reducing blood triglyceride levels
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Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle changes that should be maintained in order to help reduce risk of further damage to the heart and coronary arteries:
- Exercise - make sure you engage in regular exercise every day, for about 30 minutes to 60 minutes. Your doctor will advise how much exercise is suitable for you and also the type of exercise program
- Reduce stress - if you experience stress in your life, you need to try to reduce its impact by engaging in some type of relaxation therapy, such as meditation, tai chi or yoga, whatever works best for you
- Stay away from cigarette smoke - people who smoke are greatly encouraged to stop as the cigarettes damage the lining of the arteries and people who do not smoke need to stay away from other people's smoke
- Take antibiotics before and after dental work - your doctor or cardiologist will prescribe antibiotics to take about an hour before and again six hours after any dental work, to prevent any infection in the oral cavity from affecting your heart
Medication
People with angina, especially if it is unstable or variant, need to monitor their symptoms and take medications as advised.
Medication is really important for underlying heart disease, as it can help to reduce some risk of having a heart attack, but diet and lifestyle need to be modified too, in order to significantly reduce the risk.
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caring for someone 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.
