
What are the best herbs for heart disease?
The 6 Best Supplements and Herbs for Atherosclerosis
- Artichoke extract (ALE) This supplement is sometimes referred to as artichoke leaf extract, or ALE. Studies show that ALE can help raise your “good” cholesterol and lower “bad” cholesterol.
- Garlic. Garlic has been credited with healing everything from breast cancer to baldness. ...
- Niacin. ...
- Policosanol. ...
- Hawthorn. ...
- Red yeast rice. ...
How do you cure irregular heartbeat?
and irregular heart rhythms, which can lead to heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac death. These conditions are important to diagnose and treat early, in order to achieve better outcomes.
How do you treat congestive heart failure naturally?
- Monitor your symptoms. Heart failure worsens over time, so you need to be familiar with changes in your body. ...
- Monitor your health. Keep track of blood pressure, weight and other vital signs as your doctor advises. ...
- Try to keep a positive attitude. ...
- Don’t be shy about asking questions. ...
What medications cause heart failure?
- Dr. Nitin J Burkule Director, Dept of cardiology, Jupiter Hospital Thane
- Dr. Bhaskar P Shah Director Jupiter Hospital & Director - Heart Failure Clinic, Consultant Cardiologist, Jupiter Hospital Thane
- Dr. Gautam Rege Consultant, Dept of Cardiology, Jupiter Hospital, Thane

Which treatment is best for heart?
Heart medicines should not be stopped suddenly without the advice of a doctor as there's a risk this may make your symptoms worse.Blood-thinning medicines. ... Statins. ... Beta blockers. ... Nitrates. ... Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ... Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) ... Calcium channel blockers. ... Diuretics.
What is a common treatment for heart disease?
Antiplatelet therapies: These include aspirin, and they can also prevent clots. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: These can help treat heart failure and high blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to expand. Lisinopril is one example. Angiotensin II receptor blockers: These can also control blood pressure.
What are 4 treatment options for heart disease?
Treatment for coronary artery disease usually involves lifestyle changes such as not smoking, eating healthy and exercising more. Sometimes, medications and procedures are needed....TreatmentCholesterol drugs. ... Aspirin. ... Beta blockers. ... Calcium channel blockers.More items...•
What are 2 treatments for heart disease?
Heart medicationsAngioplasty and stents. Angioplasty is a treatment that uses stents to improve blood flow to the heart. ... Coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Bypass surgery is used to get blood to part of your heart muscle when your arteries are blocked. ... Heart valve surgery.
How do I know if my heart is OK?
Diagnostic tests could include blood tests, cardiac CT scan, cardiac MRI, cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, echocardiography, stress testing, electrocardiogram and others.
What causes heart problem?
Plaques and blood clots can reduce blood flow through an artery. A buildup of fatty plaques in your arteries (atherosclerosis) is the most common cause of coronary artery disease. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as a poor diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking, can lead to atherosclerosis.
Which foods are good for heart patients?
15 Incredibly Heart-Healthy FoodsLeafy green vegetables. Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens are well known for their wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. ... Whole grains. ... Berries. ... Avocados. ... Fatty fish and fish oil. ... Walnuts. ... Beans. ... Dark chocolate.More items...
How do you know if your heart is weak?
Signs of a Weakened Heart MuscleShortness of breath (also known as dyspnea), particularly when you lie down or exert yourself.Chest pain, especially a heavy sensation in your chest indicative of heart failure caused by a heart attack.Fatigue.Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet (also known as edema)More items...•
How can I check my heart at home?
Your Heart RateGet a watch with a second hand.Place your index and middle finger of your hand on the inner wrist of the other arm, just below the base of the thumb. ... Count the number of taps you feel in 10 seconds.Multiply that number by 6 to find out your heart rate for 1 minute.
What are 3 treatment options for heart disease?
Treatment & CareHeart Attack: What to Do in an Emergency. Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack? ... Stents. Get information about why they're used and what types are available.Angioplasty and Stents. ... Heart Bypass Surgery. ... Valve Disease Treatment. ... Cardioversion. ... EECP. ... Pacemakers.More items...
Can the heart repair itself?
Until recently, it was believed that the human heart didn't have this capacity. But the heart does have some ability to make new muscle and possibly repair itself. The rate of regeneration is so slow, though, that it can't fix the kind of damage caused by a heart attack.
How long can u live with heart disease?
The life expectancy for congestive heart failure depends on the cause of heart failure, its severity, and other underlying medical conditions. In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive five years. About 30% will survive for 10 years.
What are the main types of treatments for heart disease?
Treatments for Heart Disease. Lifestyle changes, medications, and surgical procedures and devices are the main types of treatments for heart disease. Doctors recommend heart disease treatments based on what type of heart disease you have, what symptoms you experience, your age, and any other health conditions or medications you take.
What are the other medications for heart disease?
Other Medications for Heart Disease. Antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, and penicillin G , may be prescribed in cases of endocarditis and other infective heart diseases caused by nonvirus microorganisms. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone, are synthetic hormones that suppress immune system response.
What is CABG surgery?
CABG (pronounced “cabbage”) is the most common heart surgery . CABG is considered in cases of severe coronary heart disease, where a waxy substance called plaque has built up in the coronary arteries. Plaque hardens and narrows the arteries and limits the amount of oxygen-rich blood that reaches the heart, causing angina (chest pain). Plaque can also rupture and form clots that can block the flow of blood, leading to a heart attack. Coronary bypass surgery restores the flow of blood to the heart by bypassing the blocked section of coronary artery.
What blood thinners are used for stroke?
Anticoagulants — known as blood thinners — can help prevent dangerous clots from forming and causing stroke or myocardial infarction (heart attack). Drugs from several classes work in different ways as blood thinners. One of the most common blood thinners is the familiar aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory product sold over the counter. Other blood thinners include Plavix (clopidogrel), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), Coumadin (warfarin), and Aggrenox (aspirin/extended-release dipyridamole). Blood thinners can raise the risk for bruising and bleeding problems.
What is the most common blood thinner?
One of the most common blood thinners is the familiar aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory product sold over the counter. Other blood thinners include Plavix (clopidogrel), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), Coumadin (warfarin), and Aggrenox (aspirin/extended-release dipyridamole).
What is the best medication for high blood pressure?
Commonly called water pills, diuretics are often one of the first drugs prescribed to treat people with hypertension (high blood pressure). Diuretics are believed to reduce blood volume by ridding your body of sodium and water through urination. Common diuretics include Hydrochlorothiazide, Lasix (furosemide) and Aldactone (spironolactone). Diuretics are usually safe, but they can cause dehydration if you lose too much water.
How do pacemakers help with arrhythmia?
A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device that helps your heart maintain a normal rhythm by emitting a low-level electrical signal when arrhythmia is detected. Pacemakers are usually implanted beneath the skin of the chest under the collarbone. Some types of temporary pacemakers may be worn externally on a belt. After pacemaker placement, you will likely need to spend one day in the hospital. You can expect to resume normal activities within four weeks.
What is clinical trial?
Clinical trials. Clinical trials are scientific studies that determine if a possible new medical advance can help people and whether it has harmful side effects. Find answers to common questions about clinical trials in our Guide to Understanding Clinical Trials.
Can heart failure be cured?
Heart failure caused by damage to the heart that has developed over time can’t be cured. But it can be treated, quite often with strategies to improve symptoms. Successful treatment depends on your willingness to get involved in managing the condition.
What to do if you think you have heart failure?
If you think you may have heart failure or you are worried about your heart failure risk because of other underlying conditions, make an appointment with your family doctor. If heart failure is found early, your treatment may be easier and more effective.
What is the best medication for heart failure?
Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate (BiDil). This drug combination helps relax blood vessels. It may be added to your treatment plan if you have severe heart failure symptoms and ACE inhibitors or beta blockers haven't helped. Vericiguat (Verquvo).
What are some medications that can't be tolerated?
They may be an option for people who can't tolerate ACE inhibitors. Beta blockers. These drugs slow your heart rate and reduce blood pressure. Beta blockers may reduce signs and symptoms of heart failure, improve heart function, and help you live longer.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on easing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. Anyone who has a serious or life-threatening illness can benefit from palliative care, either to treat symptoms of the disease, such as pain or shortness of breath, or to ease the side effects of treatment, such as fatigue or nausea.
What is the purpose of an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram can be used to measure ejection fraction, which shows how well the heart is pumping and helps classify heart failure and guides treatment. Stress test.
How to diagnose heart failure?
To diagnose heart failure, your doctor will take a careful medical history, review your symptoms and perform a physical examination. Your doctor will also check for the presence of risk factors, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease or diabetes.
What is a myocardial biopsy?
In this test, a doctor inserts a small, flexible cord into a vein in the neck or groin, and removes very small pieces of the heart muscle for examination. This test may be done to diagnose certain types of heart muscle diseases that cause heart failure.
How to treat heart valve disease?
Valve Disease Treatment. When your heart valve disease needs attention, it can be treated by traditional surgery or by balloon valvuloplasty, which doesn't require as much cutting. Cardioversion. For many people with heart disease, drugs alone won’t turn an arrhythmia into a normal heart rhythm.
What can a health care professional do for heart disease?
Things that you and your health care professional can do for heart disease can be all over the map, from CPR, to high-tech surgeries, to caregiving. Chances are that you, or someone you love, may need different types.
What is the procedure that uses very little cutting to open blocked heart arteries?
Angioplasty is a procedure that uses very little cutting to open blocked heart arteries. Stents can be put in during angioplasty. Heart Bypass Surgery. This can treat heart disease when your coronary arteries are blocked. Your doctor may treat the problem by giving the blood a new pathway to the heart.
How do nitrates help with angina?
They help your body get rid of unneeded water and salt through urine. That makes it easier for your heart to pump. It also helps control your blood pressure. Nitrates. These are meds that treat angina in people with coronary artery disease. They also help ease chest pain caused by blocked blood vessels of the heart.
What is the name of the drug that decreases the amount of blood in your blood vessels?
Medications. ACE Inhibitors. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are heart meds that widen, or dilate, your blood vessels to raise the amount of blood your heart pumps and lower your blood pressure. Angiotension II Receptor Blockers. These heart drugs decrease certain chemicals that narrow blood vessels.
What is CPR in the heart?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation -- CPR -- is one link in what the American Heart Association calls the chain of survival. Learn CPR for a loved one. You can use the Internet to find classes near you
What is the best medication to prevent blood clots?
Antiplatelet Drugs . They are a group of powerful medications that prevent the formation of blood clots. Aspirin Therapy. For more than 100 years, aspirin has been used as a pain reliever. Since the 1970s, aspirin has also been used to prevent and manage heart disease and stroke. Beta-Blocker Therapy.
How to prevent heart disease?
These steps include following a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and seeking advice when the first symptoms of heart disease appear .
How to reduce blood pressure and heart rate?
Also, it may help to limit the intake of processed foods and added fat, salt, and sugar. Exercising regularly: This can help strengthen the heart and circulatory system, reduce cholesterol, and maintain blood pressure. A person may wish to aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week.
What is the most common type of heart disease?
Coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease. It develops when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become clogged with plaque. This causes them to harden and narrow. Plaque contains cholesterol and other substances.
What is the most common cause of heart attack?
This can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle. The most common cause of heart attack is plaque, a blood clot, or both in a coronary artery. It can also occur if an artery suddenly narrows or spasms.
What causes dilated cardiomyopathy?
The most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy are past heart attacks, arrhythmias, and toxins, but genetics can also play a role. As a result, the heart becomes weaker and cannot pump blood properly. It can result in arrhythmia, blood clots in the heart, and heart failure.
What is plaque in the heart?
Plaque contains cholesterol and other substances. As a result, the blood supply reduces, and the heart receives less oxygen and fewer nutrients. In time, the heart muscle weakens, and there is a risk of heart failure and arrhythmias. When plaque builds up in the arteries, it is called atherosclerosis.
What is congestive heart failure?
Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that can occur from problems with the pumping or relaxing function. Heart failure can result from untreated coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and other conditions. These conditions can affect the heart’s ability to pump or relax properly.
What is the best treatment for an enlarged heart?
Heart valve surgery. If your enlarged heart is caused by a problem with one of your heart valves or if it has caused heart valve problems, you may have surgery to repair or replace the affected valve. Coronary bypass surgery. If your enlarged heart is related to coronary artery disease, your doctor may recommend coronary artery bypass surgery.
What tests can be done to check for heart problems?
Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests to check the levels of certain substances in your blood that may point to a heart problem. Blood tests can also help your doctor rule out other conditions that may cause your symptoms. Cardiac catheterization and biopsy. In this procedure, a thin tube ...
What is a cardiac MRI?
Cardiac computer ized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During a cardiac CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube inside the machine rotates around your body and collects images of your heart and chest. In a cardiac MRI, you lie on a table inside a long tubelike machine ...
What are the benefits of beta blockers?
Beta blockers to lower blood pressure and improve heart function. Anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots that could cause a heart attack or stroke.
What is the best medication to lower blood pressure?
Diuretics to lower the amount of sodium and water in your body, which can help lower the pressure in your arteries and heart. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to lower your blood pressure and improve your heart's pumping capability.
What is the purpose of measuring the pressure of the heart?
Pressure within the chambers of your heart can be measured to see how forcefully blood pumps through your heart. Pictures of the arteries of the heart can be taken during the procedure (coronary angiogram) to check for a blockage.
What is the procedure called when a doctor takes a blood sample of the heart?
Cardiac catheterization and biopsy. In this procedure, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted in your groin and threaded through your blood vessels to your heart, where the doctor takes a small sample (biopsy) of your heart to be tested. Pressure within the chambers of your heart can be measured to see how forcefully blood pumps through your heart.
What to do if you think you have a heart arrhythmia?
If you think you may have a heart arrhythmia, make an appointment with your family doctor. If a heart arrhythmia is found early, your treatment may be easier and more effective. Eventually, however, you may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions (cardiologist).
What is the best treatment for atrial fibrillation?
If you have atrial fibrillation, your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications to help keep dangerous blood clots from forming. Cardioversion. If you have a certain type of arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, your doctor may use cardioversion, which can be conducted as a procedure or by using medications.
How does catheter ablation work?
In catheter ablation, catheters are threaded through the blood vessels to the inner heart, and electrodes at the catheter tips map the spread of electrical impulses through the heart . Electrodes at the catheter tips transmit energy to destroy a small spot of heart tissue and create an electrical block along the pathway that's causing your arrhythmia.
How does a pacemaker work?
One or more electrode-tipped wires run from the pacemaker through your blood vessels to your inner heart. If your heart rate is too slow or if it stops, the pacemaker sends out electrical impulses that stimulate your heart to beat at a steady rate.
What is an ICD for cardiac arrest?
An ICD is a battery-powered unit that's implanted under the skin near the collarbone — similar to a pacemaker.
What is a Holter monitor?
Holter monitor. This portable ECG device can be worn for a day or more to record your heart's activity as you go about your routine. Event recorder. For sporadic arrhythmias, you keep this portable ECG device available, attaching it to your body and pressing a button when you have symptoms.
What to do if you have an arrhythmia and you have difficulty exercising?
If doctors are evaluating you to determine if coronary artery disease may be causing the arrhythmia, and you have difficulty exercising, then your doctor may use a drug to stimulate your heart in a way that's similar to exercise. Tilt table test. Your doctor may recommend this test if you've had fainting spells.
What kind of doctor is best for heart valve disease?
A doctor trained in heart disease (cardiologist) will provide your care. If you have heart valve disease, consider being evaluated and treated at a medical center with a multidisciplinary team of doctors and medical staff trained and experienced in evaluating and treating heart valve disease.
What is the best test to diagnose a heart condition?
Your doctor may order several tests to diagnose your condition. Tests may include: Echocardiography. In this test, sound waves directed at your heart from a wandlike device (transducer) held on your chest produce video images of your heart in motion. This test assesses the structure of your heart, the heart valves and the blood flow ...
What to write down for a heart valve appointment?
Write down your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to heart valve disease. Write down key personal information, including a family history of heart disease , and any major stresses or recent life changes.
What test is used to diagnose heart valve disease?
In a physical examination, your doctor will likely listen for a heart murmur, as this can be a sign of a heart valve condition. Your doctor may order several tests to diagnose your condition. Tests may include: Echocardiography.
What is robot assisted heart surgery?
In some medical centers, doctors may perform robot-assisted heart surgery, a type of minimally invasive heart surgery in which surgeons use robotic instruments to conduct the procedure. Doctors may also use less invasive procedures to repair certain valves using long, thin tubes (catheters) in some people.
What is an echocardiogram?
An echocardiogram helps your doctor get a close look at the heart valves and how well they're working. Doctors may also use a 3D echocardiogram. Doctors may conduct another type of echocardiogram called a transesophageal echocardiogram.
How to get rid of stress?
Managing stress. Find ways to help manage your stress, such as through relaxation activities, meditation, physical activity, and spending time with family and friends.

Diagnosis
- Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your personal and family medical history. The tests you'll need to diagnose your heart disease depend on what condition your doctor thinks you might have. Besides blood tests and a chest X-ray, tests to diagnose heart disease can inclu…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Heart disease can be improved — or even prevented — by making certain lifestyle changes. The following changes can help anyone who wants to improve heart health: 1. Stop smoking.Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, especially atherosclerosis. Quitting is the best way to reduce your risk of heart disease and its complications. 2. Control your blood pressure.Ask your …
Coping and Support
- You may feel frustrated, upset or overwhelmed upon learning that you or your loved one has heart disease. Here are some ways to help cope with heart disease or improve your condition: 1. Cardiac rehabilitation.For people who have cardiovascular disease that's caused a heart attack or has required surgery to correct, cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended as a way to improv…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Some types of heart disease will be discovered without an appointment — for example, if a child is born with a serious heart defect, it will be detected soon after birth. In other cases, your heart disease may be diagnosed in an emergency situation, such as a heart attack. If you think you have heart disease or are worried about your heart disease risk because of your family history, see yo…
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Surgeries are performed to correct defects, and repair damage, and regulate or replace parts of the heart that have become dysfunctional. The type of surgery used depends on the type of heart disease and your age and overall health. Read more details about each surgery in the Treatments A-Z pages.
Clinical Trials
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Coping and Support
- Heart failure is a chronic disease needing lifelong management. However, with treatment, signs and symptoms of heart failure can improve, and the heart sometimes becomes stronger. Doctors sometimes can correct heart failure by treating the underlying cause. For example, repairing a heart valve or controlling a fast heart rhythm may reverse heart failure. But for most people, trea…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.