Angina

Angina occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, most often because the coronary arteries have been narrowed by atherosclerosis. It is typically provoked when demand rises, such as during exertion or emotional stress (stable angina), but may also occur at rest when a plaque becomes unstable or an artery goes into spasm (unstable or variant angina). It is a manifestation of underlying coronary artery disease rather than a disease in itself.

The characteristic symptom is a tight, heavy, or squeezing pain or pressure in the center of the chest, which may radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. It is often brought on by exertion, cold, or stress and relieved by rest. It may be accompanied by breathlessness, sweating, nausea, and fatigue. Pain that is severe, prolonged, or occurs at rest may signal a heart attack and requires emergency attention.

• Crataegus — key herb
• Terminalia arjuna — key herb
• Inula racemosa — key herb
• Ginkgo — improves coronary blood flow
• Salvia miltiorrhiza — cardioprotective, vasodilator, antiplatelet
• Astragalus
• Korean red ginseng — improves coronary flow reserve
• Coleus — antiplatelet
• Ginger — antiplatelet
• Turmeric — antiplatelet
• Capsicum — fibrinolytic
• Tilia — vasodilator
• Cramp bark — vasodilator
• Valerian — calming, to ease the side effects of some of the other herbs given
• Corydalis — calming, to ease the side effects of some of the other herbs given