| Ischemic myocardial necrosis usually resulting from abrupt reduction in coronary blood flow to a segment
of myocardium.
A myocardial infarct, or heart attack, occurs when the blood supply to some part of the heart muscle (myocardium)
is abruptly stopped. This is often due to clotting in a coronary blood vessel. Blood supplying the heart muscle comes entirely from two
coronary arteries, both lying along the outside surface of the heart. If one of these arteries or any part of one suddenly becomes blocked,
the area of the heart being supplied by the artery dies. The death of a portion of the heart muscle is a myocardial infarct, and the amount of the
heart affected by the sudden occlusion will determine the severity of the attack. If the heart continues to function, the dead portion is eventually
walled off as new vascular tissue supplies the needed blood to adjacent areas.
As is discussed elsewhere, stress can be a contributing
factor here too. The details of this relationship are not entirely clear, but may be due to the fact that stress increases the stickiness of blood
and makes it more likely to clot. Anxiety, fear, and stress may bring on such attacks, as there is an increase in adrenaline and noradrenaline
release at such times. These hormones increase the work of the heart, making it beat faster. The pain experienced is itself a stress;
sufferers become afraid of having an attack and the heightened anxiety makes one more likely.
Actions indicated for the
processes behind this disease:
Cardiac Tonic: will aid in the renewal of tissue and regaining as much cardiac function
as possible.
Peripheral Vaso-dilator: help the process of re-oxygenation of ischemic tissue as well as helping the prevention
of another attack.
Hypotensive: are often appropriate because of associated hypertension. They are usually indicated
cardiac tonics as well.
Nervine: will ease the stress component, which may be either causal or a result of experiencing
cardiac trauma.
System support
The cardiovascular system needs all the tonic support it can get. Similarly
the nervous system will have experienced a major shock. Post-infarctrecovery may be helped with the judicious use of adaptogens.
Specific Remedies
Crataegus may be thought of as a specific here, as with many other myocardial problems.
One possible prescription for post-infarct recovery:
- Hawthorn -- 3 parts
- Yarrow -- 1 part
- Linden Blossom -- 1 part
- Siberian Ginseng -- 1 part
- Ginkgo -- 2 parts
- to 2.5ml of tincture combination 3 times a day
- Garlic should be used as a dietary supplement.
Broader Context of Treatment
Counseling support during the process of life-style re-evaluation is very important. Similar issues must be addressed as those already covered above. | 
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Whilst working in conservation and lecturing in ecology and the eco-crisis for the University of Wales, David Hoffman became convinced that to heal the world, to embrace planetary wholeness and responsibility for it 
