Statistics show us that in 2006 over 1.2 million Americans alone suffered a heart attack.  Of these 1.2 million there were sadly 425,000 deaths.  Happily the main reasons for this problem can be countered by modern cardiac medicines nevertheless there are many around the world who are seeking help from alternative cardiac medicines.   Others are seeking a combination of both alternative and doctor prescribed medicines.

So what are these so called alternatives to standard cardiac medicines also known as homeopathic treatments?  Doctors were at first sceptical of the alternatives but the general agreement now seems to be that practicing the alternatives could possibly outweigh the negative effects and consequently be considered as acceptable.

The alternatives include Meditation, Prayer and Homeopathic.

With meditation clinical studies show that meditation helps to produce a lower blood pressure and hypertension in both sexes.  This technique is now a mainstream medicine and often used in exercises such as yoga.  Figures show that just 20 minutes each day can help to reduce stress and anxiousness both of which are preludes to cardiac disease

Many would be sceptical that prayer can achieve the same result as true cardiac medicine yet studies have shown that prayer has helped sufferers.

Finally homeopathic has been around for centuries and used in India and Europe and is believed to have significant value in curing many diseases untreatable by Western medicines.

To the majority of us when we think of heart disease we tend to put too little emphasis on what might be the major cause – stress.  Statistics show that more women than men die of this dreadful disease each year.  When you think of female deaths the immediate reaction is Breast Cancer yet whereas 43,000 women die from this every year there are over half a million die from heart disease.  Cardiac medicines are manifold yet still these unacceptable numbers of people suffer and die.

There is a public awareness that high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity etc are all causes of heart disease but what role does stress play in cardiac health.   Chronic stress refers to continuous and unrelieved adverse emotional and physical reactions to things happening in our lives.

Stress that leads to heart attacks obviously requires the appropriate cardiac medicines but how can you counter stress alone apart from fleeing to a tropical island paradise for the rest of your life.  Basically correct eating is a good beginning.  This will have pronounced effect on your brain chemistry.  Next, ensure you have adequate sleep each night.  We cannot handle stressful situations at home or at work if we do not have enough sleep.  Thirdly, exercise, by far the most stress resilient intervention giving both psychological and physical benefits.

Maintain these three changes to your life and stress and the need for cardiac medicines will disappear hopefully for ever.

One of the greatest cardiac medicines is without doubt the humble aspirin.  Although the findings apparently never made the headlines a doctor fifty years ago found that of 400 men given aspirin by him never had a heart attack.   In 1989 an ongoing study involving 22,000 male doctors showed that half the doctors who took a regular aspirin had almost half the risk of a heart attack than the other half who were given placebos.

As a result of this study the humble aspirin was recognised as a true part of cardiac medicine.   It had become a unique heart attack preventative drug.

A daily aspirin is highly recommended for anyone with cardiovascular disease also and male over 40 or female over 50 whether they are suffering from heart problems or not.   You can take it as a cardiac medicine at an earlier age if your risk factors for heart problems exist.  In other words if you are over weight, smoke, drink and have a high cholesterol level.

Taking aspirin on a daily basis can also assist in preventing hardening of the arteries.  There have been scientific studies carried out on a regular basis and they do confirm the beneficial effects of aspirin in helping to prevent heart attacks and recurrent angina at the very least.

Cardiac medicines for heart disease have grown in popularity in recent years but there still remains confusion amongst some doctors and medical professionals just when these should be implemented in the heart disease process.

There is an example mentioned in a certain medical journal where a husband and wife, both doctors, were so far apart when it came to cardiac medicines for heart disease. The husband was open minded to natural health ideas and pushed for modification of the patient’s lifestyle plus diet changes in an attempt to avoid prescribing cardiac medicines.  On the other hand the wife prescribed cardiac medicines with immediate effect with a suggestion that the persons diet and/or lifestyle be changed somewhat.

If you have a heart problem it is important that you find a medical professional who shares your own ideology.

Some people will swear by natural alternatives.  Your doctor must be consulted before you consider changing your current cardiac medicine. Natural alternatives just like standard conventional medications do run the gambit where safety and effectiveness are concerned.  However it is thought they are much safer than conventional cardiac medicines for heart disease and can be just as effective when combined with improved diet, eliminating smoking and maintaining a high fibre diet.