What is angina?

Angina pectoris is caused by an insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart muscle, which produces a squeezing or pressure-like pain in the chest. Angina usually precedes a heart attack. Since physical exertion and stress increase the heart's need for oxygen, they are often the triggering factors. The pain may radiate to the left shoulder blade, left arm, or jaw. The pain typically lasts for only one to twenty minutes.

What are the signs and symptoms of angina?

The characteristic symptoms are a squeezing or pressure-like pain in the chest occurring immediately after exertion. Angina can also be triggered by emotional tension, cold weather, or large meals. Pain may radiate to the left shoulder blade, left arm, or jaw. The pain typically lasts for only one to twenty minutes.

What causes angina?

Angina is almost always due to atherosclerosis-the buildup of cholesterol-containing plaque that progressively narrows and ultimately blocks the blood vessels supplying the heart (the coronary arteries). This blockage results in a decreased supply of blood and oxygen to the heart tissue. When the flow of oxygen to the heart muscle is substantially reduced, or when there is an increased need by the heart, it results in angina.

What dietary factors are important in angina?

Please see ATHEROSCLEROSIS.

What nutritional supplements should I take for angina?

Foundation Supplements. There are three products from Natural Factors that I think are critical in supporting good health:

• MultiStart (age and gender specific multiple vitamin and mineral formulas). Follow label instructions.
• Enriching Greens - a great tasting "greens drink" containing highly concentrated "greens" like chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass juice, barley grass juice, etc., and herbal extracts. Take one serving (one tablespoon) in 8 ounces of water daily.
• RxOmega-3 Factors - A true pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement. For arrhythmias, take five capsules daily. This dosage will provide 2,000 mg of EPA and 1,000 mg of DHA.

Magnesium deficiency plays a major role in many cases of angina as it has been shown to produce spasms of the coronary arteries. Magnesium improves the delivery of oxygen to the heart muscle by relaxing the coronary artery as well as improving the production of energy within the heart muscle. Take 150 to 250 mg of magnesium three times per day. Magnesium bound to aspartate, citrate, and malate is preferred to magnesium bound to oxide because of better absorption.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), like carnitine, also plays a major role in energy production within the heart. In one study, the frequency of angina attacks was reduced by fifty-three percent with CoQ10 supplementation. Take 200 to 300 mg daily.

Carnitine is a vitamin-like compound that plays a major role in energy production within the heart muscle. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that carnitine relieves angina and improves exercise tolerance and heart function. Take 1,500 mg daily.

Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) berry and extracts of its flowering tops exhibit a combination of effects that are of great value to patients with angina and other heart problems. Studies have demonstrated that hawthorn extracts are effective in reducing angina attacks as well as in lowering blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels. For best results utilize extracts containing either 10% procyanidins or 1.8% vitexin at a dosage of 100-250 mg three times daily.

Additional recommendations:

I want to stress that angina is a serious condition that requires careful treatment and monitoring. In severe cases, as well as in the initial stages of mild to moderate angina, prescription medications may be necessary. In my experience, in all but the most severe cases eventually it is possible to control the condition without drugs with the help of natural measures. I would still recommend always having an emergency nitroglycerine tablet handy, just in case. In severe cases of angina due to significant blockage of the coronary artery, angioplasty, coronary artery bypass, or intravenous EDTA chelation therapy may be appropriate. EDTA is an amino-acid-like molecule that, when slowly infused into the bloodstream, chelates (binds) with minerals such as calcium, iron, copper, and lead and carries them to the kidneys, where they are excreted. EDTA chelation has been commonly used for lead poisoning, but in the late fifties and early sixties it was found to help patients with angina, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebral vascular disease. For more information, contact the American College for the Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) 1-800-532-3688; www.acam.org.

How do I know if the program is working?

If you are experiencing angina, you will need to be monitored by a physician. The program is definitely indicated if you have angina and will help conventional medications for angina such as nitroglycerine tablets work better. The program will help improve exercise tolerance and heart function.

Feedback:

Please let Dr. Murray know how this program has worked for you by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Testimonials:

"Dr. Murray, before starting your program I could not walk more than 50 feet without popping a nitro pill. Now, I am walking 2-3 miles per day and have not used nitro in over 4 months. Thank you! MH"

Condition Center Caution:

• Dr. Murray’s recommendations and protocols for nutritional support are not intended as a substitute for appropriate medical care.
• The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
• If you have a medical condition or disease, please talk to your doctor prior to using the recommendations given.
• Do not self-diagnose. Proper medical care is critical to good health. If you have a health concern or undiagnosed sign or symptom, please consult a physician, preferably a naturopathic doctor (N.D.), nutritionally oriented medical doctor (M.D. or (D.O.), or other health care specialist. Please go to www.naturopathic.org to find a qualified naturopathic doctor (N.D.) in your area to help you.
• Make your physician aware of all the nutritional supplements or herbal products you are currently taking to avoid any negative interactions with any drugs you are taking.
• If you are currently taking a prescription medication, you absolutely must work with your doctor before discontinuing any drug or altering any drug regimen.