Heart Diseases

The heart muscle is the most worked muscle in our body. It contracts on average 80 times per minute, every hour of every day without resting until we die. It is one of the body’s most vital organs, ensuring that blood and oxygen are supplied to every cell. So it’s vital that this organ remains in good condition throughout our life.

    Heart diseases include heart attacks which can occur without warning and yet they can end in sudden death. Arteriosclerosis affects the blood vessels which feed the heart and can be a painful process resulting in angina pain in the chest.

    Heart disease can be prevented even if there is a strong tendency for heart problems in the family. The main cause for heart problems is improper diet, particularly eating too much meat and saturated fat, salt and sugar. Vegetables and raw fruit, fiber and wholesome, unrefined foods, as well as physical activity, are essential. Lack of exercise deprives the heart of a sufficient supply of oxygen, resulting in fatty deposits in the arteries. Coffee, alcohol and large meals are also bad for the heart, and the risks for heart disease increase with smoking and high blood pressure.

    Constant stress is one of the most dangerous conditions for the heart. We must learn to enjoy life by slowing down and learning coping mechanisms to better manage and counteract the damaging effects of stress.

    Saturated fats from red meat and Trans fatty acids found in hydrogenated fats like shortening, margarine and all commercially processed foods must be eliminated from the diet. These harmful fats cause arteriosclerosis and heart disease because they raise cholesterol levels, thicken the blood and interfere with the metabolism of beneficial essential fatty acids. Use only unrefined, cold pressed nut and seed oils such as flaxseed, or pumpkin seed daily on salads and dishes which do not require heating. These oils along with olive oil are excellent at maintaining healthy blood vessels and lowering cholesterol, thereby significantly lowering the risk for heart disease.

    Beetroot juice is excellent at preventing free radical damage and lowering blood pressure, another juice with a good record at preventing heart disease is pomegranate juice. Pomegranate juice is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants nearly five times more powerful than red grape juice. Drinking these juices each day is a powerful aid in preventing heart disease.

    Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel contain omega-3 fats which act similarly to essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of heart disease. It has been found that eating oily fish 2 to 3 times per week or taking fish oil supplements reduces the risk of heart disease dramatically. 

    Garlic reduces blood cholesterol and also lowers blood pressure. It must be taken long term to get this benefit. Again garlic supplements are useful for long term use. Garlic should not be taken long term by any one with arthritic pain, as it may increase the pain of the painful joints. An excellent supplement for the heart muscle is Co-Enzyme Q10; it’s often deficient in those with heart disease. Co-Enzyme Q10 improves oxygen supply to the heart muscle while supporting heart functions and muscle strength,

     One of the best herbal remedies for the heart must be Hawthorn, it has the ability to reduce plaque buildup in the arteries along with reducing blood pressure and strengthening the heart muscle. The heart has to work less if you are taking Hawthorn due to its ability to reduce the oxygen need of the heart muscle while maintaining the same output from the heart. Hawthorns ability to open up the blocked arteries in the body is quite remarkable often relieving angina pains in the chest within 3-4 months of use. Take 5-10 ml each day of Hawthorn tincture as a heart tonic. 

David Foley

MRCHM, MNIMH

Medical Herbalist