HOMEOPATHY FOR THE HEART

HOMEOPATHY AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Despite medical advances in diagnostics and treatment, cardiovascular disease still remains the most common cause of death in the United States. Myocardial infarction or heart attack is still the main cause of cardiovascular deaths. It is estimated that over 60 million people in the United States suffer from cardiovascular disease, the most common conditions being high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris.

There are many risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease: not all of them can be easily controlled. The natural process of aging and hereditary predispositions are risk factors difficult to control. For example, up to 50 years of age, men are at a higher risk to develop heart disease than women; however, after a woman enters menopause, her risk of cardiovascular disease triples.

Many cardiovascular patients suffer additionally from high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, atherosclerosis, diabetes and or obesity, all of which increase the risks of heart disease. Most health related organizations recommend the same basic changes in lifestyle in order to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. The main recommendations are: stopping smoking, exercising regularly and following a healthy diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt.

It is essential that we seek to be checked by a cardiologist and properly diagnosed at the first symptoms of cardiovascular dysfunction. But besides allopathic treatment and changes in lifestyle, it is wise to seek other alternative methods that will strengthen our overall health.

Homeopathic medicine is a holistic system that treats the patient in his or her entirety. It takes into account the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the health of a person. It never just treats on symptom, but the whole gamut of expressions of the person´s health. It also has many remedies that relate to the heart and to those patients who present cardiovascular conditions with the final objective of enhancing the immune system and the general vitality of the person.

Although, heart conditions should always be treated by a professional homeopath in conjunction with a regular cardiologist, we are presenting here a few examples of classical homeopathic remedies that are frequently given to cardiovascular patients in daily homeopathic practice.

AURUM may be indicated for serious individuals with a tendency to depression and melancholy, who have great sense of responsibility and whose cardiovascular problems are related to stress. They have a tendency towards high blood pressure and cholesterol. It has been known to help in cases of rheumatic endocarditis and atheroma of the heart and arteries.

ARGENTUM NITRICUM is beneficial for individuals who suffer from anxiety and present violent palpitations to the least emotion; they tend to feel worse when lying in a horizontal position and better when walking quickly. They tend to be nervous and impulsive people with many phobias and fears, who really like sugar and can be very creative and artistic.

PLUMBUM is indicated for patients with degenerative symptoms of the nervous system and hardening of veins and arteries. It has been known to help in cases of chronic endocarditis, cardiac hypertrophy with atheroma of the aorta and cardiac arrest.

LACHESIS is suitable for passionate personalities, who can be very loquacious, tend to feel distrust, jealousy and a desire for revenge. They can feel oppression in the chest, have attacks suffocation and fainting, and suffer from atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. All the symptoms worsen with sleep and warmth.

NAJA is a remedy especially indicated for injuries of the valves of the heart and conditions that present violent palpitations with headaches, and tend to be very sad and depressed.

VIPERA presents violent pains in the chest with a cold feeling; a tendency of the chest to swell with difficulty breathing, nausea in the abdomen and numbness in the arms. There might be symptoms of gangrene, phlebitis and stroke.

SPIGELIA is an important remedy for rheumatic pericarditis. It has the peculiarity of feeling pain radiating from the heart to the back, or from the heart to the arms. The palpitations of the heart are painful and so loud they can be heard.

ACONITUM NAPELUS is one of the main homeopathic remedies for acute situations of heart attack. The patient has violent palpitations and feels intense pains that radiate from the heart to the left arm, with numbness and tingling in the fingers. Meanwhile they are in a state of great anxiety and fear of death.

Finally, it is important to remember that self-medication is never advisable and we should always seek the advice of a professional homeopath.

SUSANA AIKIN, CCH, is a graduate of the School of Homeopathy of New York and certified by the US Council of Classical Homeopathy. She has been practicing homeopathy for the last fifteen years, both in Europe and in New York. She teaches regularly at the Barcelona French Osteopathic School MES and the Madrid School of Doulas. For a consultation call 1 347 314 8767 or send email to susanaaikin@gmail.com