Heart Disease Treatment: Information on Heart Disease, Symptoms, Types & Treatment

Diseases and conditions affecting the heart are known as heart disease. There are several components that make up the heart.&nbsp; The muscle that pumps blood, the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, and valves that ensure that the blood within the heart is pumped in the correct direction. At any time problems can happen in any of these areas of the heart. 
 
 Types of heart disease: 
1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Coronary artery disease - These are diseases of the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood. Sometimes known as CAD, coronary artery disease is one of the most common forms of heart disease and the leading cause of heart attacks. It generally means that blood flow through the coronary arteries has become blocked. The most common cause of such blockage is a condition called atherosclerosis.&nbsp; This is a largely preventable type of vascular disease. Coronary artery disease can lead to other heart problems, such as chest pain (angina) and heart attack (myocardial infarction). 
 
2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.herbalist.com/wiki.details/362/category/0/start/20/">Coronary heart disease</a> - Coronary artery disease is a disease affecting only the arteries. A heart attack, in contrast, affects the heart muscle. 
 
3.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Cardiomyopathy - This is a condition that includes all diseases of the heart muscle. Some types of cardiomyopathy are genetic, while others occur for reasons that are less well understood. Types of cardiomyopathy include ischemic, which is caused by loss of heart muscle from a heart attack; dilated, which means the heart is enlarged; hypertrophic, which means the heart muscle is thickened; and idiopathic, which means the cause is unknown. One of the most common types of cardiomyopathy is idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy &mdash; an enlarged heart without a known cause. 
 
4.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Valvular heart disease - These are diseases of the heart valves. A series of valves within your heart keeps blood flowing in the right direction. Valves may be damaged by a variety of conditions leading to narrowing (stenosis), leaking (regurgitation or insufficiency) or inadequate closing (prolapse). You may be born with valvular disease, or the valves may be damaged by such conditions as rheumatic fever, infections (infectious endocarditis), connective tissue disorders, and certain medications or radiation treatments for cancer. 
 
5.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Pericardial disease - These are diseases of the sac that affects the heart (pericardium). Pericardial disorders include soreness (pericarditis), fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion) and stiffness (constrictive pericarditis). These can occur alone or together. The causes of pericardial disease vary. 
 
6.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Congenital heart disease - These are forms of heart disease that develop before birth (congenital). Congenital heart disease is a broad term and includes a wide range of diseases and conditions. These diseases can affect the formation of the heart muscle or its chambers or valves. They include such conditions as narrowing of a section of the aorta (coarctation) or holes in the heart (atrial or ventricular septal defect). Some congenital heart defects may be apparent right at the time of birth, while others may not be detected until later in life. 
 
7.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Heart failure - Heart failure, often called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to your body's organs and tissues. It doesn't mean your heart has failed and can't pump blood at all. With this less effective pumping, vital organs don't get enough blood, causing such signs and symptoms as shortness of breath, fluid retention and fatigue. Congestive heart failure is technically reserved for situations in which heart failure has led to fluid buildup in the body. Not all heart failure is congestive, but the terms are often used interchangeably. Heart failure may develop suddenly or over many years. It may occur as a result of other cardiovascular conditions that have damaged or weakened the heart, such as coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy. 
 
 Prevention from heart disease 
1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Don't smoke or use tobacco products &ndash; This is the number one cause of heart disease. 
 
2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Exercise - Regular physical activity helps prevent heart disease by increasing blood flow to your heart and strengthening your heart's contractions so that your heart pumps more blood with less effort. Physical activity also helps you control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. It also reduces stress, which may also be a factor in heart disease. 
 
 Diet and Lifestyle 
 
Heart disease can often be preventive. Following a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to be hard, and it doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself from any foods. Instead, find ways to incorporate healthy habits into your lifestyle, so you can live a healthier life. 
 
Always eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products can help protect your heart. Legumes, low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease.&nbsp; Heart-healthy eating isn't all about cutting back, though. Most people need to add more fruits and vegetables to their diet.&nbsp; You should have five to 10 servings a day. 
 
Omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat, may decrease your risk of heart attack, protect against irregular heartbeats and lower blood pressure. Some fish are a good natural source of omega-3s. Although, pregnant women and women of childbearing age should avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish because they contain levels of mercury high enough to pose a danger to a developing fetus. But for most others, the health benefits of fish outweigh any risks associated with mercury. Omega-3s are present in smaller amounts in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soybean oil and canola oil, and they can also be found in supplements. 
 
If you want a healthy heart you should only have alcohol in moderation.&nbsp; This means no more than two drinks a day for men, one a day for women. At that moderate level, alcohol can have a protective effect on your heart. Above that, it becomes a hazard to your health. 
 
 Weight 
As you put on weight in adulthood, you gain mostly fatty tissue. This excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease &mdash; high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. 
 
 Get regular health screenings 
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your cardiovascular system, including your heart. But without testing for them, you probably won't know whether you have these conditions. Regular tests can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to make changing in your daily living habits. 
 
&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Blood pressure. Regular blood pressure tests should start from childhood. Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years. You may need more frequent checks if your numbers aren't optimal or if you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Your blood pressure should be less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury. 
 
&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Cholesterol levels. Adults should have their cholesterol measured at least once every five years. You may need more frequent testing if your numbers aren't optimal or if you have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Some children may need their blood cholesterol tested if they have a family history of heart disease. 
 
Herbal Treatment 
 
Garlic (Allium sativa) and Onion (A. cepa) 
Both of these delicious, aromatic herbs contain substances that prevent platelets from sticking together, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of blood fat), and increase &quot;good&quot; HDL cholesterol.&nbsp; Garlic also promotes the breakdown of certain types of blood clots and lowers blood pressure.&nbsp; If you like these fragrant foods and want to include them in your diet rather than take a supplement, eat at least one clove of garlic or half a small onion a day.&nbsp; Typical dosage: capsules that provide at least 10 milligrams of allicin per day (your garlic capsules should specify how much allicin they contain).&nbsp; Caution: Some people cannot digest garlic or onions; the result is upset stomach, bloating, and gas.&nbsp; If you experience a mild form of this side effect, try the culinary trick of adding lots of fresh parsley to a dish made with garlic or onions. 
 
<a href="http://www.herbalist.com/wiki.details/379/category/0/start/0/">Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)</a> 
Much scientific research has confirmed the traditional value of ginkgo in the treatment of heart disease.&nbsp; It's antioxidant, enhances heart efficiency, increases blood supply to the extremities, and has a tonic effect on blood vessels, gradually improving their health.&nbsp; It also prevents platelets from sticking together.&nbsp; Typical dosage is 40 to 80 milligrams of capsules standarized to 24% heterosides three times per day. 
 
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp) 
We now know that Hawthorn leaves, flowers and berries dilate coronary arteries, thus increasing blood supply to the heart.&nbsp; It also improves metabolic processes in the heart, including oxygenation and energy production.&nbsp; And it decreases lactic acid, the waste product of exertion that causes muscle pain.&nbsp; Hawthorn also strengthens artery walls.&nbsp; Typical dosage is 1 cup of tea three times per day (simmer 1 tsp. of dried berries or steep 1 tsp. of leaves and flowers in 1 cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. 
 
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) 
Ginger lowers cholesterol and prevents platelets from accumulating by decreasing the absorption of dietary cholesterol, and by stimulating its excretion in bile - one of the primary ways the body removes excess cholesterol.&nbsp; Ginger works best if eaten fresh and taken on an empty stomach.&nbsp; Typical dosage is up to a quarter-inch slice of an average-sized root per day; or 250 milligrams per day of freeze-dried fresh root in capsules.&nbsp; Caution: Ginger may cause upset stomach in some people, especially in higher doses. 
 
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) 
The leaf from this grain decreases cholesterol levels and shrinks plaques that are already present.&nbsp; Often available in powdered form, it is to be taken according to package directions.&nbsp; Typical dosage; up to eight or nine 400-500 milligram capsules per day, or 15-30 drops of tincture 4 times per day. 
 
<a href="http://www.herbalist.com/wiki.details/18/category/0/start/0/">Bilberry (Vaccinium myrillus)</a> 
Bilberry inhibits atherosclerosis, protects the heart during exertion, decreases inflammation, and strengthens artery walls - all of which means that bilberry does for blood vessels what spinach did for Popeye, it simply does so more slowly.&nbsp; Typical dosage is 80 to 160 milligrams in capsules standarized to 25% anthocyanidin content per day. 
 
<a href="http://www.herbalist.com/wiki.details/135/category/0/start/0/">Yarrow (Alchillea millefolium)</a> 
Yarrow dilates arteries and helps to lower cholesterol.&nbsp; It is considered a blood vessel tonic, improving arterial health in general.&nbsp; Typical dosage is 1-3 cups of tea 2-3 times per day (steep 1 tsp. of dried herb in 1 cup of water for 10-15 minutes.&nbsp; Caution:&nbsp; Do not use during pregnancy. 
 
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) 
Another traditional heart tonic, motherwort is known to lower cholesterol, reduce platelet accumulation, and generally strenthen the heart.&nbsp; It also slows a too-rapid heart rate, especially when anxiety is a contributing factor, because it relaxes the nervous system in general.&nbsp; Typical dosage is 1 cup of tea 2-3 times per day (steep 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of herb in 1 cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes; or 1/4 to 1 tsp. of tincture 2-3 times per day. 
 
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) 
This ehrb works by acting on the adrenal glands, the primary stress-managing gland in the body.&nbsp; It tends to correct disease-producing processes in the body.&nbsp; In people with heart disease, it appears to lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.&nbsp; It is especially appropriate when chronic stress is part of the picture.&nbsp; Typical dosage is up to 9 400-500 milligram capsules per day; or 20 drops of tincture up to 3 times per day.&nbsp; Caution:&nbsp; At high doses, Siberian ginseng may cause insomnia, irritability, or anxiety.&nbsp; If these occur, reduce the dosage.