In most people who develop progressive constriction of their coronary arteries, cardiac pain, called angina pectoris, begins to appear when the load on the heart becomes too great in relation to the coronary blood flow.

This pain is usually felt beneath the upper sternum and is often referred to the surface areas of the body, most commonly to the left arm and left shoulder but also frequently to the neck and even to the side of the face or to the opposite arm and shoulder.

It is characterized by a sharp pain in the chest (behind the sternum) which leaves the victim breathless. There is a sense of impending doom. It is generally caused by the constriction of the main artery that leads into the heart, because of its hardenings or deposition of fat in the insides. The pain radiates to the back, the shoulders and the arms, particularly the left arm. The attack may come on after a hearty meal, a sudden over-exertion or intense grief or excitement.

The true pain of angina has a tendency to spread to the shoulders and arms. There is a constriction in the chest and profuse sweating. True angina must be differentiated from false or pseudo-angina which is of a nervous origin.

Drugs taken to relieve angina only help to make the condition more chronic. Patients taking recourse to traditional methods of treatment would be seen carrying tablets of nitro-glycerin to relieve the pain. The drug may be taken in an emergency but the correct treatment for angina begins when it is aimed at building the general level of the patient.

Most people who have chronic angina pectoris feel the pain when they exercise and when they experience emotions that increase metabolism of the heart or temporarily constrict the coronary vessels because of sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve signals. The pain usually lasts for only a few minutes. However, some patients have such severe and lasting ischemia that the pain is present all the time.

The pain is frequently described as hot, pressing and constricting. It is of such quality that it usually makes the patient stop all activity and come to a complete state of rest.

The reason for this distribution of pain is that the heart originates during embryonic life in the neck, as do the arms. Therefore, both of these structures receive pain nerve fibres from the same spinal cord segments.

When an attack is on, the best thing is to apply hot towel over the heart region. That will relieve the constriction around the chest by dilating (through heat) the clogged artery which finds it difficult to pass the required amount of blood through it to the heart.

Modern treatment of Angina pectoris

Several vasodilator drugs, when administered during an acute anginal attack, usually give immediate relief from the pain. Commonly used vasodilators are nitroglycerine and other nitrate drugs.

A second class of drugs that are used for prolonged treatment of angina pectoris is the beta blockers. They block the sympathetic beta receptors, which prevents sympathetic stimulation of heart rate and cardiac metabolism during exercise or emotional episodes. Therefore, therapy with a beta blocker decreases the need of the heart for extra metabolic oxygen during stressful conditions. For obvious reasons, this can reduce greatly the number of anginal attacks as well as their severity.

Herbal Product for Angina Pectoris

Arjuna is the most effective Ayurveda herb in the treatment of angina pectoris. The bark of the tree is known to have a stimulant action on the heart.

Garlic, turmeric, fenugreek seeds are some of the useful Ayurvedic herbs useful in treating Heart ailments. Hrdayarnava ras, hrthshanti syrup are some of the Ayurvedic based formulas useful in treating its functions.

Herbal Pack for Anginal pectoris

• Arjun Saar – 15ml twice daily with equal quantity of water after meals

• Healthy Heart Support – 2 capsules twice daily after meals

• Arjun Tea – boil with milk and water and have it in the form of tea