Angina pectoris is a disease whose main symptoms are short-lived chest pain that radiates to the left shoulder, arm, and sometimes down to the pinky finger. Those episodes occur due to the increased heart’s demand for oxygen. If this demand is beyond the ability of the body’s oxygen supply system, the heart muscle “myocardium” experiences a deficiency of oxygen delivered through the coronary vessels. Insufficient oxyhemoglobin in the blood delivered to the myocardium usually happens due to constrictions or spasms of the coronary arteries.
Pathophysiology of angina pectoris
Myocardial ischemia, aka angina pectoris, happens when the heart’s demand for oxygen exceeds the supply. The heart is the only muscle organ in the body that never rests and works non-stop during its lifetime. Like any other muscle, the myocardium needs an energy supply of oxygen, normally delivered as oxyhemoglobin by the coronary arteries. There are numerous reasons why the myocardium may experience a deficiency of oxygen. First, it may happen if an individual suffers from anemia and blood is poor on RBC, which contains oxyhemoglobin. If, however, the anemia is ruled out, the angina pectoris may result from the following pathological conditions:
- Tapering of the coronary vessels as a result of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis;
- Coronary contraction;
- Valvular heart defects—congenital or as a result of other chronic illnesses;
- Chronic High blood pressure;
- Hypertension in the arteries of the lungs, aka pulmonary hypertension,.
Triggers that may cause an episode of angina pectoris:
- Overeating
- Physical exercises
- Acute stress
- Exposure to cold
- Exceeding ordinary level of blood glucose, especially in diabetic individuals
- Constipation that requires significant straining
- Sexual interaction
- Masturbation
- Micturition
Main symptoms of coronary ischemia:
- Shallow breathing or dyspnea
- Severe pain in the middle or lower fragments of the sternum
- A sensation that the heart is pounding too firm or too quick, missing a beat
- Perspiring
- Chest pain with sensation of throat tightening and chocking
- Radiation of chest pain to the left shoulder, arm, and pinky finger.
- Vertigo
- Dimness
- Nervousness
- Palpitation
The symptoms of angina pectoris are similar to those of a heart attack, and the most valuable symptom for differential diagnosis is “fear of death,” which is present in heart attack patients. Angina patients have the opposite symptoms of nervousness and apprehension.
When you see a patient lying in bed, holding hands on the left side of the chest, pale with bluish lips, and scared to move – be cautious. More than likely, you have had a heart attack.
Homeopathic medicines for angina pectoris
Homeopathic medicine is one of the most prevalent alternative medical treatment systems. The selection of homeopathic medication is individualized based on the symptoms’ resemblance and the general constitutional properties of the patient. In homeopathic medicine, following the rules and principles of the “like cures like” philosophy is the only way of successful healing and curing.
The purpose of homeopathic medicine is not simply to heal angina pectoris but to take into consideration and cure its principal foundation and distinct predisposition.
The individual should refer to a competent and well-trained homeopathic physician in person for customized homeopathic medicine selection and healing. Choosing the right homeopathic medicine is much more complicated than prescribing an allopathic drug. It takes much more time and effort; however, this determination will award both a patient and a physician by the end of the day.
The following homeopathic remedies are more often administered for the treatment of angina pectoris:
Aconite: unexpected episodes of angina with a sharp pain behind the sternum radiating to the left arm and shoulder, pulse big, rapid, bouncing, and hard, severe agitation with a congested sensation behind the sternum.
Bryonia Alba: You can compare this pain to pins and needles with a scratching component inside the thoracic cage, which worsens movement and gets better with relaxation while lying on the left side.
Digitalis: feeling that the heart stops and the heart rate diminishes. Digitalis patients report improvement at rest and deterioration of symptoms with movement.
Lachesis: shooting chest pain, that radiates up to the throat. These patients never wear turtleneck sweaters. Men hate ties. I will not administer Lachesis if a patient does not complain about bruises that suddenly appear on different body parts without any reason.
Crataegus: chest pain radiating to the left clavicle. Pulse is weak and fast, arrhythmia, fingernails, and toenails are bluish.
Glonoinum: intense palpitation that radiates in all directions and throbs in the head, torso, arms, and legs.
Amyl nitrate: heart rate is fast, accompanied by a sensation of a band around the head; breathing is difficult with the sensation of the spasm in the heart area.
Naja: severe chest pain, radiating to the nape of the neck; heart rate; arrhythmia, trembling; and palpitations
Spigelia: sharp chest pain with the feeling of compression behind the sternum radiates down the left arm to about the level of the pinky finger. Acts well on smokers and drunkards
Arsenic album is an outstanding homeopathic medicine for angina pectoris with intense, excruciating chest pain. This pain is aggravated in bed, especially if an individual is lying face up. This pain usually takes place after 12 AM, especially between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM.
Cimicifuga: I would only recommend this homeopathic remedy to women if they reported a sudden stoppage of their heartbeat and severe chest pain. Traditionally, Cimicifuga is a medicine for women who have some disorders in their reproductive system. The Materia Medica description of this medicine clearly states: “Cherchez la femme”—a French expression for “look for the woman.” In my understanding of the homeopathic philosophy, this remedy will perfectly fit any form of angina pectoris in a woman with GYN issues.
Veratrum album is especially effective for tobacco chewers when the heartbeat ceases. The hasty breath usually co-exists with this symptom.
Lilium tigrinum: severe chest pain radiates to the right arm (this is not a typo; RIGHT ARM is a special property for Lilium). Patients report a pounding feeling all over the body with the signs of choking. Considering a constitutional approach to homeopathic medicine, I prescribe Lilium tigrinum only to sexually oriented women. Yes, this is a very important constitutional property for Lilium—these women love sex and always want it.
Argentum nitricum is a very useful homeopathic drug for patients who report episodes of angina after a meal. Other constitutional properties of Argentum nitricum are very fast speech and sudden cravings for sweets.
Without these two symptoms, I would not prescribe Argentum.
Additional Recommendations for ischemia control
I want to draw your attention to the fact that angina pectoris is a severe and sometimes fatal medical disorder that necessitates detailed diagnostics and cautious medical care. Also, monitoring patients’ condition during treatment is essential. In the most severe forms of angina pectoris, pharmaceutical drugs may be obligatory. According to my clinical experience, in the majority of cases, it has the potential to control the illness without prescription medications and with the aid of homeopathic remedies. However, keeping an emergency supply of nitroglycerine in your pocket is essential.
For more information regarding the natural approach to angina treatment and to discuss with Dr. Tsan your medical condition, contact Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic at (267) 403-3085