Hardening of the arteries is a dangerous condition in which the space inside the artery (the lumen) starts to narrow due to the accumulation of cholesterol laden plaque deposits. As these plaque deposits build over time a layer of calcium and/or fibrous tissue may start to form leading to the common condition known as hardening of the arteries. The question we pose is can herbs for hardening of the arteries reverse, halt, or neutralize this dangerous condition?

There is good evidence to suggest the answer is yes, at least according to research conducted at the University of Texas Health Center at Houston. The study looked at a number of herbal remedies for heart and artery health purchased locally at a well respected local health store and what they found was that these herbs for hardening of the arteries were very effective at delivering nitric oxide to the body. Nitric oxide lowers blood pressure by relaxing or dilating large blood vessels. The result of higher nitric oxide levels was ultimately an improvement in overall blood flow to the heart. Additionally, and just as important to our investigation into herbs for hardening arteries, was the finding that herbs can prevent plaque buildup and the formation of clots in the arteries.

Next why don’t we move on and identify specific names of herbs for hardening arteries.

Hawthorn: Hawthorne is one of the best known and most widely used herbs for hardening arteries and heart disease. It is derived from a small shrub like tree that grows throughout the northern hemisphere. Hawthorne has been shown to increase the amount of blood flowing through narrowed arteries and increase the strength of the arteries, thus reducing the chances of a heart attack or stroke. Other benefits related to heart health but not necessarily hardening of the arteries are: improvement in the contractibility of the heart muscle, increased cardiac output and performance, reduction in the hearts workload, as well as increasing the hearts ability to cope with oxygen deficiency in times of stress or excitement. Hawthorne when taken as a herb for hardening arteries is quite safe and will not interfere with other medications, according to the official European Community monograph (ESOP). An additional benefit is that it can help with anxiety as well.

Garlic: Perhaps the most well known, and easily acquired, of our herbs for hardening arteries is garlic. Research has shown that garlic decreases serum cholesterol levels up to 10 percent when one clove or more is consumed on a regular basis.

Red yeast rice: Red yeast ride is one of the oldest Chinese herbs and has been used for centuries in the practice of Chinese herbal medicine. It is also considered to be one of the best herbs for hardening arteries due to its statin drug like qualities. Red yeast rice has been shown to lower overall cholesterol, raise good cholesterol, and lower bad cholesterol levels. There is also some evidence to suggest that it may aid the body in reducing existing artery clogging plaque deposits.

Other herbs for hardening arteries and heart health worth investigating further are: bilberry, cayenne, chamomile, ginkgo, and rosemary.

The heart is one of the most important organs and holds the job of pumping blood to other organs. Ischaemic heart disease also called myocardial Ischemic is a heart illness that has an effect on the way how the blood travels to the heart. Ischaemic heart disease occurs when there is a plaque formation that restricts the arteries from transporting precious blood and oxygen to the heart. The heart becomes affected when there is a reduction in the blood flow to the heart muscle that damages the heart muscle. Ischaemic heart disease has become one of the leading causes of death in the western world.

Ischaemic heart disease hardly show any signs in its first when it starts to take effect however, different warning signs can be seen based on the severity of the disease when it is diagnosed. Some the most identifiable symptoms are acute chest pain and angina prectoris. Acute chest pain can be identified by sharp pain felt in chest and is treated as an emergency situation.

Angina precoris results in chest pain behind the breast bone or slightly to the left of the chest, there may also be a crushing sensation, squeezing or heavy pressure moving towards to the jaw, back, shoulder or event the arms. This symptom also causes indigestion, light headedness, vomiting, shortness of the breath. It’s a possibility that angina precoris will not show any of these symptoms even when in effect; this is called silent ischaemia. Ischaemic Heart Disease can also lead to heart failure slowly over time. Heavy coughing, shortness of breath with after lying down or while doing physical activities, fatigue, loss of appetite, unusual heart beat patterns, inflammation of the ankles and feet are all signs that a heart failure may be approaching.

There are certain particular habits that makes it easier of you developing heart diseases. Persons who have particularly bad eating habits and suffer from obesity automatically increase their chances of being affected by these heart disease. These situations cause high cholesterol levels that make the heart work excessively to keep up with the needs of the body and so leads to various heart diseases.

Individuals experiencing situation should maintain healthy eating habits and exercise for at least three times weekly and maintain your body mass. These patterns can greatly minimize stress levels, take care of the muscles and keeps the body in check. Individuals that suffer from insomnia, and don’t work out are more prone to feel highly stressed. Cigarette smoking is also a huge contributing factor of heart diseases. If persons hope to minimize their chances of getting Ischaemic heart Disease, smoking will have to be eliminated. High tension levels can also cause ischaemic heart disease,

Persons who have experienced a stroke or heart attack or who have a hereditarily record of heart diseases or other disease like diabetes are more prone to develop heart diseases. So Persons should make it their duty to research their medical history and seek a heart specialist when necessary to test the condition of their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They should also be conscious of what they eat. Individuals may require medications to regulate these conditions. In serious cases of Ischaemic heart Disease, surgical procedure may also be needed to treat ischaemic disease but the greatest cure is prevention by exercising healthy lifestyle patterns.