“What holistic changes can improve congestive heart failure?”
I am 48 years old and want natural remedies to help my heart. What holistic changes can improve congestive heart failure?
4 Answers
There are 3 main problems with congestive heart failure:
1) Fluid overload. This is a natural reaction to the reduced pumping of the heart which causes salt and water retention by your kidneys. The holistic/naturopathic solution is to limit your salt and water intake so as to keep a stable fluid balance. This can be checked by monitoring your weight daily. If you are already fluid overloaded (leg swelling, breathless at night) you will need to be in "negative fluid balance", i.e. losing weight, until these symptoms have settled – and then keep the weight steady. If this cannot be achieved by salt and water restriction you will need some help from diuretic medication.
2) Limited pumping power of your heart. This is mainly apparent when trying to exercise when a normal heart can increase its power by x 5 but a "failing" heart can only manage x 1½-3 depending on how severe it is. It causes breathlessness and fatigue when you try. The holistic work-around is to increase your body's efficiency by regular gentle fitness training and to reduce the sensation of breathlessness by controlled breathing. Many people with a diagnosis of heart failure can actually achieve a normal exercise level in this way – or at least enough for normal daily activities. If your heart's power is barely sufficient for your body to "tick over" you are in "stage-4" heart failure and you will just have to rest and maybe get an electric buggy to move around. Medical treatment with beta blockers can be very helpful especially if the heart is going too fast.
3) Risk of sudden death. This is only significant in severe heart failure. A holistic response is to avoid extreme stress or sudden exertion, and to accept the idea that you have to die sometime and sudden cardiac death is one of the better ways to do it. A very efective medical intervention is implantation of an automatic internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) which can resuscitate you if the heart suddenly stops pumping. Even if you have one, you still have the option of turning it off if you feel like your quality of life is not worth it continuing.
In summary, there are important holistic remedies but careful use of conventional medical treatment is also highly beneficial.
1) Fluid overload. This is a natural reaction to the reduced pumping of the heart which causes salt and water retention by your kidneys. The holistic/naturopathic solution is to limit your salt and water intake so as to keep a stable fluid balance. This can be checked by monitoring your weight daily. If you are already fluid overloaded (leg swelling, breathless at night) you will need to be in "negative fluid balance", i.e. losing weight, until these symptoms have settled – and then keep the weight steady. If this cannot be achieved by salt and water restriction you will need some help from diuretic medication.
2) Limited pumping power of your heart. This is mainly apparent when trying to exercise when a normal heart can increase its power by x 5 but a "failing" heart can only manage x 1½-3 depending on how severe it is. It causes breathlessness and fatigue when you try. The holistic work-around is to increase your body's efficiency by regular gentle fitness training and to reduce the sensation of breathlessness by controlled breathing. Many people with a diagnosis of heart failure can actually achieve a normal exercise level in this way – or at least enough for normal daily activities. If your heart's power is barely sufficient for your body to "tick over" you are in "stage-4" heart failure and you will just have to rest and maybe get an electric buggy to move around. Medical treatment with beta blockers can be very helpful especially if the heart is going too fast.
3) Risk of sudden death. This is only significant in severe heart failure. A holistic response is to avoid extreme stress or sudden exertion, and to accept the idea that you have to die sometime and sudden cardiac death is one of the better ways to do it. A very efective medical intervention is implantation of an automatic internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) which can resuscitate you if the heart suddenly stops pumping. Even if you have one, you still have the option of turning it off if you feel like your quality of life is not worth it continuing.
In summary, there are important holistic remedies but careful use of conventional medical treatment is also highly beneficial.
Delythe Lowry-Charles
Preventative Medicine Specialist | Public Health & General Preventive Medicine
MIAMI, FL
More information is required. For any natural health improvement, the following is recommended:
-Nutrition to support your blood type and cardiovascular imbalance
-Appropriate amount of sleep (7-9 hrs)
-Stress reduction
-Proper digestion and elimination - detoxification
-1/2 body weight in oz of water
-Nutrition to support your blood type and cardiovascular imbalance
-Appropriate amount of sleep (7-9 hrs)
-Stress reduction
-Proper digestion and elimination - detoxification
-1/2 body weight in oz of water
Meditation and other relaxation breathing techniques. Tai Chi and Qi Gong movements will also help. A diet mainly of veggies, fruits and lean proteins will also help.
Increased nitrogen from pomegranates, L-Arginine, and fresh, clean air.
