coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, or simply, heart disease, is the no. 1 killer in america, affecting more than 13 million americans.

what is coronary artery disease?

coronary artery disease is Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis occurs when the arteries become clogged and narrowed, restricting blood flow to the heart. without adequate blood, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and vital nutrients it needs to work properly.

how does coronary artery disease develop?

your coronary arteries are hollow tubes. inside, they are smooth and elastic, allowing blood to flow freely.

before your teen years, fat starts to deposit in the blood vessel walls. as you get older, the fat builds up. this causes injury to your blood vessel walls. in an attempt to heal itself, the cells release chemicals that make the walls sticky.

then, other substances such as inflammatory cells, proteins and calcium that travel in your bloodstream start sticking to the vessel walls. the fat and other substances combine to form a material called plaque. the plaque builds up and narrows the artery (Atherosclerosis).

many of the plaque deposits are hard on the outside and soft and mushy on the inside. the hard surface can crack or tear, exposing the soft, fatty inside. when this happens, platelets (disc-shaped particles in the blood that aid clotting) come to the area, and blood clots form around the plaque. this causes the artery to narrow even more.

over time, the inside of the arteries develop plaques of different sizes. many of the plaque deposits are hard on the outside and soft and mushy on the inside. the hard surface can crack or tear, exposing the soft, fatty inside. when this happens, platelets (disc-shaped particles in the blood that aid clotting) come to the area, and blood clots form around the plaque. this causes the artery to narrow even more. sometimes, the blood clot breaks apart by itself, and blood supply is restored.

over time a narrowed coronary artery may develop new blood vessels that go around the blockage to get blood to the heart. however, during times of increased exertion or stress, the new arteries may not be able to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart Muscle.

symptoms

the most common symptom is angina or "angina pectoris." angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness, squeezing or painful feeling. it can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. angina is usually felt in the chest, but may also be felt in the left shoulder, arms, neck, back or jaw.

other symptoms that can occur with coronary artery disease include:

• shortness of breath
• palpitations (irregular heart beats, skipped beats or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest)
• a faster heartbeat
• weakness or dizziness
• Nausea
• sweating

causes

1. elevated blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fatty substances
2. elevated Blood pressure
3. elevated blood uric Acid levels (mainly caused by high protein diet)
4. certain metabolic disorders, notably Diabetes
5. obesity
6. smoking
7. lack of physical exercise

each or a combination of these risk factors can contribute to Heart disease. most of them are of dietary origin. constant worry and tension stimulate the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline and cortisone. this also contributes to constricted arteries, high Blood pressure and increased work for the heart.

treatment

hawthorn (crataegus oxycantha)

hawthorn has long been recognized as a cardiac tonic in organic and functional heart conditions.  when used over a long term it removes arteriosclerotic deposits.  it is an essential cardiotonic that strengthens the heart Muscle (myocardium).  by dilating the coronary vessels, it prevents cardiovascular disease.  it also improves blood and oxygen to the heart, arteries and tissues.  by strengthening contraction of the heart muscles it regulates Blood pressure. a decoction of the flowers and berries is employed. 

garlic (alum sativa)

in a two year study, garlic was shown to reduce the size of arterial plaque by 20%.  it works by blocking the formation of new plaque and lowers cholesterol and triglycerides and raising hdl, cholesterol.  garlic is a natural anti-coagulant and helps to dissolve blood clots.  (should not be used by people already taking blood-thinning medications.

curcumin (turmeric/curcuma longa)

eight times more potent than vitamin e, curcumin prevents damage to blood vessel walls to prevent onset of arteriosclerosis.  this herb improves blood flow in arteries, while strengthening blood vessels.

cayenne (capsicum frutenscens)

cayenne stimulates blood flow, lowers cholesterol and may affect arteriosclerosis.  it reduces the risk of blood clotting and increases heart output.  cayenne increases capillary resistance and strengthens blood vessels in the limbs.  it also improves peripheral Circulation and warms the hands and feet.

gingko (Ginkgo biloba)

this ancient herb increases microcirculation to all parts of the body, heart, limbs and brain.  its blood-thinning activity inhibits clot formation and inflammation.  it has antioxidant properties and strengthens and tones arteries and improving their elasticity.

footnote:  damage to the arterial wall of the heart may also be due to chronic viral or bacterial infection.  supplementation with folic Acid, b12 and b6, coq10, selenium, omega 3 oils and antioxidants would cut the risk of Heart disease to a fraction of its current rate.