Heart Diseases
There are different types of heart diseases:
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
When the muscles become relaxed, the glands weaken, and the nerves lose stimulation, the heart enlarges. In this condition, the heart cannot pump blood forward with full strength. The arteries also become soft due to excessive phlegmatic fluids, so they do not provide enough resistance. As a result, blood pressure remains below the normal level, which is called low blood pressure.
People with this condition become tired very quickly after physical or mental work or even after standing for some time. They may experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Dizziness occurs while standing up or sitting down, and darkness may appear before the eyes. They prefer to remain lying down and do not feel like getting up.
Their hands and feet are often cold, and they may feel as if their heart is sinking. The abdomen is usually large, and the body feels cold, soft, and loose. Such patients perform their activities slowly. They may experience disturbing dreams and interrupted sleep. The face appears pale, and urine is whitish and excessive in quantity.
Due to weakness of the glands, the amount of blood in the arteries decreases while phlegm increases. Because of reduced blood supply, the muscles receive less oxygen, causing the heart rate to slow down. Eventually, the pulse may drop below 60 beats per minute. If this condition continues for a long time, the heart may enlarge to the point where its ability to contract becomes severely weakened.
Enlarged Heart (Cardiomegaly)
Due to an excess of body fluids, the heart enlarges, causing a feeling of heaviness in the chest area. The patient loses interest in eating and drinking. Food digests slowly, and stomach gas is common.
The head feels heavy, nausea may occur, and sometimes vomiting develops. Excessive saliva is produced, and breathing may feel restricted. During sleep, the patient may experience fear, anxiety, and frightening dreams.
Such patients usually speak slowly and softly. Their bodies feel sluggish and weak. They do not feel like moving around, and activity often worsens their discomfort. Dizziness occurs when standing or sitting. Body temperature becomes low, and the heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute.
Causes
Excessive use of phlegm-producing foods.
Living in a damp or humid environment.
High Blood Pressure with Palpitations (False Hypertension)
This condition has three main forms.
First Form:
When muscles become overstimulated, nerves weaken, and glands become inactive, the liver's heat decreases. As a result, fatty substances begin to accumulate in the arteries, narrowing them. Increased bad cholesterol makes blood flow through the arteries more difficult.
Second Form:
Severe stimulation of the muscles causes narrowing of the arteries. At the same time, the glands become inactive, while the nerves weaken because of excessive heat. This results in weakness of the brain and nervous system.
Because the glands cannot function properly, heavy foods—especially proteins—are not digested effectively. Instead of producing healthy bile, harmful substances increase. Due to their thickness, these substances are not filtered properly by the kidneys and eventually appear as uric acid, causing pain in the ankles, big toes, and heels.
Third Form:
In this form, the glands become overactive, the muscles weaken, and the nerves become relaxed. This leads to an increase in bile and body heat.
The glands begin to contract, while the muscles expand. The liver and glands become excessively active, causing the veins and heart valves to narrow, while the heart enlarges because of increased heat.
The kidney arteries also narrow, and the kidney filtering units (nephrons) become inflamed because of excessive bile.
Inflammation around the heart causes the heartbeat to become so strong that it may be felt even through clothing. Even slight sounds or movements can make the heartbeat faster. The patient experiences intense thirst and prefers cool air, cold drinks, and cold foods.
Heat in the heart causes anxiety, restlessness, and palpitations. Body temperature rises, and fever and dysentery may occur. The mouth and nostrils become dry. The patient develops dislike for most things. Dry cough, breathing difficulty, weakness, and reduced urine output with burning sensation may also occur.
The patient becomes sensitive to noise and often speaks emotionally. Due to severe heat, the heart enlarges. Inflammation may worsen and develop into swelling. The face turns yellowish, and the heart valves may become damaged.
As the inflammation increases, the valves narrow, reducing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, eventually leading to heart failure. The kidneys are also often affected, and swelling around the eyes may appear.
Blood pressure may rise to a very dangerous level, increasing the risk of stroke or brain hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.
Causes
Excessive use of hot and dry foods.
Working in hot and dry weather conditions.
True High Blood Pressure
In this condition, the glands are extremely active, the muscles become greatly weakened, and the nerves become very relaxed. The blood becomes excessively heated and active, causing high blood pressure.
The left chamber of the heart enlarges, and the arteries become narrow.
This condition especially affects the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines. Severe inflammation and swelling may occur in the digestive system. Men may experience premature ejaculation, while women may suffer from painful and difficult menstruation.
Because of increased pressure in the blood vessels, symptoms include:
Headache and pain in the temples.
Pain and tightness in the back of the neck and between the shoulders.
Shortness of breath while walking or climbing stairs.
Reduced stamina.
Restless sleep and disturbing dreams.
Burning urination.
Increased anger and irritability.
The kidneys produce a substance called renin, which increases the hormone aldosterone. This causes the body to retain sodium and water, increasing blood volume and raising blood pressure.
Causes
Excessive use of hot and moist foods.
Angina Pectoris
This condition occurs when a blockage develops in one of the arteries or veins supplying the heart, or when an artery suddenly narrows (spasm). As a result, the heart and nearby tissues do not receive enough oxygen.
Pain usually spreads toward the left arm. The patient may feel breathless and become pale. The attack generally lasts around 25 minutes and then settles on its own.
If the patient is standing or moving, sitting down often provides relief. If chest pain lasts less than 30 seconds or more than 30 minutes, it is generally not considered angina.
Causes
Excessive consumption of heavy and gas-producing foods.
Toxic effects associated with hemorrhoidal disorders (according to traditional medicine concepts).
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
Angina refers to a temporary blockage of blood flow. If the blockage becomes permanent, it is called a heart attack.
The patient experiences severe chest pressure and discomfort. Pain spreads from the heart area toward the left arm, and the arm may feel numb. Breathing becomes difficult, and the patient may lose consciousness.
Unlike angina, the pain does not improve with rest. Usually, the arteries become blocked due to thickening or cholesterol deposits. The heart becomes weak because of a lack of oxygen.
Without proper treatment, death may occur or the heart may become enlarged. Heart attacks are most common in people over 40 years of age.
Causes
Severe stress.
Drug abuse.
Obesity.
High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Excessive stomach gas.
Sleeping immediately after eating.
Leaky Heart Valves
When the heart valves become weak, blood leaks backward through them. The pulse rate may exceed 100 beats per minute.
The patient's skin appears pale or yellowish. Blue veins may become visible on the cheeks. Body aches are common, and the patient gradually becomes thinner and weaker.
Causes
Excessive use of hot and dry foods.
Exposure to toxic substances.
Blocked Heart Valves
According to this description, thick phlegm causes the blood to become dense and clot, leading to blockage of the heart valves. Similar blockages may also occur in the arteries.
The patient experiences pain, pricking, or stabbing sensations around the heart, sometimes radiating toward the left arm. Some people feel the pain behind the heart area. The pulse becomes irregular. Fatigue and constipation are common complaints.
In some cases, symptoms remain absent until a severe attack occurs. During an attack, sweating develops, the body becomes weak, and the patient may be overwhelmed by pain.
Further diagnosis can be made through:
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
Echocardiography
Angiography
Causes
Excessive use of cold and dry foods.