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Introduction

“Accuracy and efficiency in homeopathic therapeutics is only possible to those who have a clearly defined idea of the field in which the principle of similia is operative.” This statement of Stuart Close in his book “The Genius of Homeopathy – Lectures and Essays on Homeopathic Philosophy” says that a homeopath has to be clear that which are the possibilities through homeopathy and which are not.

What is the role of the homeopath in cardiovascular diseases? Can all the conditions be reversed in to health? To answer these questions one has to discriminate between the disease itself and its material result or end product. One has to carefully separate primary functional symptoms and secondary symptoms of the pathological end products.

Cardiac manifestations like palpitations, dizziness, symptoms of hypertension, syncope, and claudication which are without organic changes, are primary functional symptoms. If a patient comes in this phase, there is a scope of homeopathy and it is in the sphere of vital dynamics. If it crosses this line, it is the next phase, there may be organic lesions and gross pathological changes like atheromatous plaque, enlargement of chamber, regurgitation, etc. Though the role of vital dynamic homeopathy is limited in the later phase, physiological doses are helpful. According to Stuart Close such circumstances make it necessary for homeopathic physician to use drugs in physiological doses. Although the ruling principle of homeopath is cure by symptom similarity, he is not there by forbidden the use of palliative measures in cases where they are appropriate and necessary.

Hahnemann admits the utility and necessity of resorting to palliation in certain emergencies in aphorism 67. Organo-pathological symptoms of cardiac cases also may be considered as ‘certain emergencies’. Hahnemann also instructs to remove the external causes, i.e. exciting and maintaining causes. As impaired lifestyle is the primary cause for cardiovascular diseases, prime responsibility of homeopaths is to advise the patients to make appropriate changes in the lifestyle. Walking and other simple exercises, avoiding oily and fatty foods, adding more vegetables and fruits in their diet and necessary recreation to avoid stress and tension are few of them.

Gross pathological tissue changes, organic lesions, morphological disproportions, advanced neoplasms and effects of material causes are not primarily with in the domain of similia. These have to be corrected mechanically and then homeopathy helps for fast healing.

Though it is impossible to make a sharp demarcation between primary functional symptoms and secondary symptoms of pathological end product, it is made an attempt here. Initial symptoms of congenital heart diseases, valvular heart diseases can be managed with dynamic homeopathic doses to make the patient comfortable, delay the progression of the condition and avoid the adverse effect of the drugs. Further the constitutional symptoms can be managed and the tendencies and traits can be countered. Apart from this the disturbances of rate and rhythm also be managed if there is no any gross pathological changes. Infectious myocarditis and pericarditis may also come under this sphere.

The next phase, where some of the physiological homeopathic doses are also needed, is with moderate pathological changes. Coronary artery diseases including atheromatosis, senile heart and angina need such doses. Since heart is vital organ knowledge of disease plays very important role in treating cardiovascular diseases. Taking experts opinion and periodic review of pathological reports while treating cardiac cases is recommended wherever it is necessary.

Our scope and objective is not in most advanced cases, but homeopathic medicines can serve best for better quality of life in post surgical cases.

Homeopathic remedies in managing primary functional symptoms of cardiovascular diseases

Aconitum napellus – Palpitation with anxiety, fainting, tingling in fingers with stitching pain in chest. Affections of the heart with pain in left shoulder along with full and hard pulse.

Adonis vernalis – It is a well known homeopathic medicine for heart problems after rheumatism or influenza, or for fatty degeneration of the heart, regulating the pulse and increasing the power of contractions of the heart and urinary secretions. Low vitality, with weak heart and slow, weak pulse are also covered. It is indicated for vertigo on rising, turning head quickly or lying down, precordial pain, palpitation, dyspnoea, irregular cardiac action, and marked venous engorgement.

Arnica montana – Symptoms occur after any trauma or overuse. It is indicated for cardiac dropsy with dyspnoea, angina pectoris, feeble and irregular pulse, cardiac asthma.

Bryonia alba – Character of the angina pain is a stitching, tearing worse by motion, better rest.

Cactus grandiflorus acts on muscular fibres of the heart and the arteries, producing very characteristic constrictions as of an iron band. It is indicated for depression and anxiety due to heart affections, congestive headaches, constriction in the chest, acute stabbing pains in the heart, weak heart, and low blood pressure.

Calcarea arsenicosa – Constriction and pain in region of heart, suffocating feeling, palpitation, oppression and throbbing and pain in back extending to arms.

Coffea cruda is indicated for palpitation, hypertension and suppression of urination. It acts on violent irregular palpitations especially after sudden stress, intolerance of pain, restlessness and sleeplessness.

Collinsonia Canadensis – Rapid and weak palpitation with dropsy; piles or menstrual symptoms may alternate with cardiac symptoms. Oppression, faintness, and dyspnœa.

Convallaria majalis – Endocarditis with extreme orthopnea, sensation of heart beat throughout the chest and heart ceased beating, then starting very suddenly. Cardiac affections due to cigarettes. Angina pectoris with rapid and irregular pulse.

Crotalus horridus – Feeble pulse and palpitation, especially during menstrual period; trembling sensation of heart.

Etherum is indicated for vertigo, depression of consciousness, chest pain and severe palpitation.

Glonoinum – Fluttering and palpitation with dyspnœa. Difficult to climb stairs. Throbbing in the whole body to finger-tips.

Kalmia latifolia – Weak and slow pulse with anxiety. Palpitation  worse leaning forward; tobacco heart. Sharp pains shooting through chest above heart into shoulder-blades.

Lachesis mutus – Constricted feeling in the chest with palpitation and anxiety. Cyanosis and irregular beats.

Lobelia inflata is a vaso-motor stimulant, increases the activity of all vegetative processes. It is indicated for conditions with constriction of the chest and epigastrium, leading to dyspnoea, vertigo, nausea and vomiting, and arrhythmia.

Naja tripudians – Angina pains extending to nape of neck, left shoulder and arm with anxiety and fear of death. Acute and chronic endocarditis and its subsequent affections.

Prunus spinosa is indicated for tachycardia which is exacerbated with the slightest motion, dyspnoea, feeling of oppression of the chest and angina pectoris. It has been used to treat problems of urination and shooting headache.

Secale cornutum is indicated for hypertension with congestive pain in head. It also helps to alleviate dyspnoea and oppression of chest, and palpitation with intermittent pulse. Nose bleed due to high blood pressure is also controlled.

Strophanthus hispidus – Weak heart and quick and irregular pulse; weak cardiac muscle.

Valeriana officinalis is indicated for over-sensitiveness, nervous affections, spasms and convulsive movements of the diaphragm.

Homeopathic remedies in managing symptoms of pathological changes of cardiovascular diseases

Arnica montana is used for both functional and pathological symptoms. It is indicated for hypertension, arteriosclerosis and weakness of the heart muscle. It has tonic effects on blood vessels and the heart. It is used for patients with plethoric face and strokes with dizzy spells of nausea and emesis.

Aurum muriaticum is indicated for cardiac symptoms of varied nature, arteriosclerosis, valvular lesions and hypertension. It acts on palpitation and tachyarrhythmia.

Convallaria majalis is a heart remedy, which is also used for both functional and pathological symptoms. It increases the heart’s action and renders it more regular. It is used when ventricles are over distended or dilated and venous stasis is marked. It is indicated for dyspnoea, dropsy, tobacco heart, orthopnoea, angina pectoris, palpitation and tachyarrhythmia.

Crataegus oxyacantha acts on heart muscle as a heart tonic. It lowers the pulse, air hunger, and reduces blood pressure. It is indicated for chronic cardiac weakness. Extreme dyspnoea and exhaustion at the least exertion, angina pectoris, valvular murmurs, irregular pulse, cyanosis, cold extremities and oedema are covered. It is said to have a solvent power upon calcareous deposits in arteries. It is effective in essential and arteriosclerotic hypertension in elderly persons. It alleviates palpitation, heart congestion, sharp heart pains, sleeplessness, nocturia and dizziness.

Digitalis purpurea – Palpitation worse least movement; sensation as if heart would cease beating if he moves. Frequent stitching pain in heart with very slow and weak pulse. Cyanosis, pericarditis, copious serous exudation. Dilated and hypertrophied heart, and cardiac dropsy.

Iberis amara – Stitching pain as of needles through ventricles felt at each contraction of heart, worse turning on left side. Pulse full, irregular, intermittent. Sensation of weight and pressure with dropsy and enlarged heart.

Ignatia amara is useful in patients of sensitive excitable nature, and helps overcome grief and worry. It is indicated for depression, nervousness, trembling, sleep disorders, constrictive feeling in throat and chest.

Plumbum aceticum is used for arteriosclerotic conditions and the concomitant circulatory disturbances in different organs and tissues. It alleviates palpitation and tachycardia exacerbated by ascending stairs or running. Congestive headache with pulsation and heat is also improved by Plumbum aceticum.

Veratrum album is indicated for collapse, weakness and extreme coldness. It covers cold extremities, cold sweat on forehead, paleness, feeble pulse, and palpitation with anxiety and rapid audible respiration.

Viscum album lowers the blood pressure. It has a calming effect on palpitation and accelerated pulse. It also relieves weight and oppression of heart and dyspnoea. It is used for cardiac hypertrophy with valvular insufficiency.