Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. This condition results when the blood vessels serving the heart become clogged and/or narrowed, increasing your risk of a heart attack. A variety of factors contribute, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, diabetes, excessive drinking, smoking, lack of physical activity and stress. For the most part, these risk factors can all be brought under control with better lifestyle choices, which means you have a great deal of control in treating CAD and reducing your risk of suffering a heart attack. Here are some natural strategies for taking better care of your heart.

Dietary Changes

Changing your diet may sound like boring advice, but guess what - it is a cornerstone of treating heart disease naturally, so there is no way around this one. It is one of the most effective, yet hardest changes to make, but well worth the effort. If high blood pressure is a problem for you, eat plenty of foods rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Studies on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on various aspects of health have shown very positive results. One long-term study of over 400 people who had previously suffered a heart attack found eating in this manner reduced the risk of recurrent heart disease by 50 to 70 percent compared to people who received no special instructions on how to eat. This diet is heavy on fruits, vegetables, healthy fats-particularly those found in nuts and olive oil, whole grains and legumes. Meat, dairy and eggs are consumed sparingly.

Meditation

In recent years, meditation is finally getting the attention it deserves when it comes to improving mental and physical health. Countless studies have shown this simple practice can offer significant health benefits, from treating depression to reducing chronic pain. There have been several studies indicating benefit for mitigating symptoms of heart disease and reducing the risk of heart attack. One study, that took place over nine years, and was published in 2012, found that meditating regularly reduced the risk of death, heart attack and stroke by 48 percent in African Americans with heart disease-researchers believe the results would translate to the general population as well.

Supplementation

Several supplements may help treat CAD. The B-vitamins appear to lower levels of the amino acid homocysteine, known to increase the risk of heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to offer many benefits when it comes to heart health, from reducing inflammation to preventing the formation of blood clots. But, if you are taking blood-thinning medications like clopidogrel, talk to your doctor first because using the two together could cause your blood to thin too much. Beta-sitosterol, a compound naturally found in plants, can help reduce cholesterol by preventing its absorption in the intestines. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked with numerous health problems, including heart disease and increased risk of heart attacks. Supplementing has been shown in several studies, to reduce risk factors for heart disease and incidence of heart attacks. This is not an exhaustive list of supplements known to help, but is a good start. Consider working with a practitioner well-versed in natural medicine for guidance on a supplement regimen.