Alternative Therapies for the Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States among both men and women. When cholesterol and plaque build up on the artery walls, the walls harden and narrow. Blood flow through the blood vessels is restricted and the heart can't get enough oxygen, which is transported in blood. The lack of oxygen to the heart can lead to chest pains and, ultimately, a heart attack. Coronary artery disease also can weaken the heart, leading to heart failure. While traditional treatments generally involve surgery, alternative therapies are available.

Alternative therapies

An alternative therapy is one that is not widely used or taught in medical school. You might not be able to find it in hospitals and if you do, insurance may not pay for it. One difference between alternative therapies versus traditional therapies is that alternative therapy tends to look at the entire person rather than simply treating a condition as do traditional therapies.

Vitamin Therapy

Vitamin therapy can involve large doses of niacin. The goal is to lower cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce fatty buildup on the artery walls. Vitamin E, vitamin C and beta carotene also can be used. These are antioxidants that inhibit blood clotting to help the blood flow and reduce the risk of heart attack. Before taking more than the recommended dietary allowance, consult your doctor to make sure there are no toxic effects with the higher dosages.

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy uses compounds that bind molecules. EDTA (a crystalline acid capable of chelating metals) chelation has been talked about as a way to fight atherosclerosis. It is said that EDTA removes plaque by binding to it as it moves through the arteries, but the studies haven't been done to show this belief is fact. Chelation is a controversial therapy. Some believe it helps and have seen the results. Others say there is no evidence to show that it works and they haven't seen people helped by it. If you are considering chelation, talk it over with your doctor first so that you can make an informed decision.

Other Alternative Therapies

Studies suggest that garlic in large doses may have some ability to lower cholesterol. The same is true of fish oil, except that fish oil increases your fat intake. It is better to get the benefits of fish oil from actually consuming fish.

Non-Medical Therapies

While good medical care is essential in fighting coronary artery disease, there are some lifestyle changes that could help increase the effectiveness of the medical therapies. These include exercising regularly, practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, and eating a low-fat diet. Exercise and a low-fat diet will help eliminate some of the risk factors for coronary artery disease by reducing the levels of cholesterol in your blood. Relaxation techniques help patients control the symptoms of coronary artery disease, in particular the chest pains.

Resources

• American Heart Association