Coronary Heart Disease - How to Recognise It and How to Manage It

Coronary heart disease is one of the most common heart conditions. It occurs when the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle become narrowed. As a result, the heart - particularly during physical exertion - may receive less oxygen than it needs.

Symptoms Not to Ignore

The most characteristic signs include:

• pain behind the breastbone, a feeling of pressure or tightness,

• pain radiating to the left arm or the jaw,

• rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea,

• dizziness or excessive sweating.

The pain usually subsides after stopping activity - this is a signal that the heart muscle is regaining an adequate supply of oxygen.

Conventional Treatment

In traditional medicine, treatment usually begins with medication, such as:

• drugs that dilate the blood vessels (e.g. nitroglycerin),

• medicines that reduce the heart’s oxygen demand (e.g. beta-blockers),

• blood-thinning agents (e.g. low-dose aspirin).

In more advanced cases, procedures are used to restore blood flow to the arteries - most often angioplasty with stent placement. In rare situations, bypass surgery is still performed. These methods can effectively relieve symptoms and save lives in acute cases, but they do not address the root cause of the disease.

Integrated Heart Support

To tackle the underlying causes and strengthen the body, diet, lifestyle and appropriate supplementation are of great importance. Recommended measures include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids - at least 1 g per day, ideally in the form of cod liver oil; they have anti-inflammatory properties and support vascular flexibility.

• Vitamin C - a minimum of 4-5 g daily, taken in divided doses (e.g. 1 g every 4 hours); helps neutralise free radicals and supports vascular repair.

• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) - essential for heart function and calcium balance.

• Multivitamin and mineral supplements - to complement the daily diet and support heart muscle metabolism.

Equally important are regular physical activity suited to one’s abilities, avoiding smoking, reducing chronic stress and ensuring proper recovery.

Combining medical treatment with these measures can bring the best results - alleviating symptoms, reducing the risk of complications and improving overall quality of life.

Source: Skutecznie wyleczyć. Choroby sercowo-naczyniowe - prof. Andrzej Frydrychowski, dr Michał Lange