What is Angina? 

Angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when an area of your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood.

Angina attack may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can feel like indigestion.   Usually, an angina attack lasts no longer than five minutes.  Experts say that if the angina attack lasts longer than five minutes, it should be treated as heart attack. In addition, they say that angina attacks are precursors for heart attacks. 

Therefore it is extremely important to take preventive measures against angina attacks.

Not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. A heart attack, lung problems (such as an infection or a blood clot), heartburn, or a panic attack also can cause chest pain or discomfort. All chest pain should be checked by a doctor.

It's thought that nearly 7 million people in the United States suffer from angina. About 400,000 patients go to their doctors with new cases of angina every year. Angina occurs equally in men and women. It can be a sign of heart disease, even when initial tests don't show evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Herbal Supplementation Traditionally Used for Angina

• L-Carnitine reduces fat and triglyceride levels in the blood while it increases oxygen uptake. 

• Coenzyme Q10 increases oxygenation of heart tissue and has been shown to prevent recurrences in individuals who have had a heart attack. 

• Calcium and magnesium are necessary for proper functioning of the cardiac muscle.