Coronary Artery Disease: Treatment, Diet and Home Remedies

Food and Nutrition

Foods to be taken
Plant foods like wholegrain cereals, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk of heart disease. Drink plenty of water keep yourself hydrated.
The foods that best protect against heart disease include:

• Oily fish – such as mackerel, sardines, tuna and salmon which contain omega-3 fatty acids
• Some vegetables oils – such as corn, soy and safflower, which contain omega-6 fatty acids, and those containing omega-3 fatty acids such as canola and olive oil
• Fibre – wholegrain cereals and fruit and vegetables
• Unrefined carbohydrate sources with a low glycaemic index – foods such as wholegrain breads and breakfast cereals, legumes, certain types of rice and pasta
• Nuts and seeds – they should be eaten in small quantities
• Legumes and soy
• Tea – the antioxidants in tea can help prevent the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries
• Foods rich in vitamin E include avocados, dark green vegetables, vegetable oils and wholegrain products
• A compound in fresh garlic called allicin has been found  to lower blood cholesterol
• Calcium and protein – Egg whites, egg substitutes, skimmed milk, low-fat or nonfat cheeses or yogurt

Foods to be avoided

• Canned or processed foods                                                                
• Salt and sugar intake
• Egg yolks, whole milk and milk products like cheese or yogurt
• Deep fried and fast foods
• White or egg breads, granola-type cereals, refined pastas or rice
• Drink alcohol, not more than two drinks per day

Yoga and Exercise

Useful activities would include regular walking, cycling, swimming, gardening or dancing
Patients are advised to avoid exertion that causes straining or raised intra abdominal pressure like weightlifting. Do not let the patient exercise outdoors when it is too cold, hot, or humid

YOGA
Relaxation methods (meditation, breathing exercises), yoga, and stress management techniques are essential for preventing cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease and for reducing the risk of recurrent cardiac problems
Some yoga asanas that are good for the heart

• Padahastasana    watch video
• Vajrasana    watch video
• Paschimottanasana    watch video
• Shalabhasana    watch video
• Uttanpadasana    watch video

Music and Meditation

Meditation improves exercise tolerance and decreases electrical changes associated with poor circulation to the heart. Meditation has also been shown to lower cholesterol and reverse carotid artery thickening. Transcendental Meditation may reduce heart disease risks for both healthy people and those with diagnosed heart conditions.

Home Remedies

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a healthy diet low in cholesterol, saturated fat and salt
• Quit smoking
• Limit consumption of alcohol to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women
• Manage stress
• Stay physically active with regular exercise
• Keep blood pressure and diabetes under control