If there is a sharp and extreme burning sensation in your chest, you first automatically think about experiencing a heart attack.
You start panicking as you think about it. Well, cardiac arrest can possibly happen if you experience the pain in your left side but heaviness or pain in chest does not always indicate this issue.
Indigestion, intense workout sessions, irregular food habits, long working hours are some of the reasons that cause heaviness in chest.
But you really do not want it to become an everyday affair do you? Given below are some of the best home remedies that will help you solve this problem.
Chest heaviness occurs for a variety of reasons in adults. Some are:
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What Causes Chest Heaviness?
- Chest pain can be a symptom of lung diseases like pneumonia.
- It can also occur due to musculoskeletal problems like, sprain, strain or injury like costochondritis etc.
- Tumours or fractures in the ribs can also aggravate heaviness in chest.
- GERD or Gastrointestinal reflux is another reason for chest pain. When GERD occur the food that was carried by the esophagus to the stomach comes back to the esophagus causing tightness around the chest area.
- Angina can also cause chest pain and heaviness. In this trouble, there is a squeezing effect around the chest area. Angina is usually caused by depression and anxiety.
Home Remedies To Cure Heaviness In Chest
1. Garlic
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
- 1 cup warm water
Method:
- Mix the garlic juice and warm water together
- Drink this concoction daily morning on empty stomach
Alternatively
If it is possible then you can also chew 2 cloves of fresh garlic on empty stomach every day.
Note:
You can drink garlic water 2 times every day.
Why Is It Good?
There are a lot of benefits of eating Garlic daily but some of the major ones include the prevention of cardiovascular problems and it also improves the blood flow in the heart.
If there is poor blood in your heart then there is a chance of heaviness of heart. Therefore, including fresh garlic in your daily diet is a good idea of preventing this disease.
2. Aloe Vera Juice
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup aloe vera juice
Method:
Drink ¼ cup of aloe vera juice on empty stomach every day to reduce the heaviness in chest.
How Many Times?
You can drink aloe vera juice 2 times every day for best results.
Why Is It Good?
Aloe vera is also known popularly as a miracle plant. This is because it has a host of health benefits. It soothes your skin, lowers BP, lowers Cholesterol, strengthens the heart and balances the good cholesterol of your body thus, helping lower the heaviness of heart.
3. Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals are an important part in your life and body. There are many studies that suggest that vitamin deficiency leads to chest pain. Vitamins D and B12 deficiency can lead to myocardial infarction too.
Therefore, if you face heaviness of heart then it is suggested that you should alter your diet at once.
You should eat healthy and balanced diet containing dry fruits, healthy oils, fresh fruits and salads etc. this will provide your body with all the essential vitamins for proper functioning.
Eat fish, eggs, cheese, cereals, soy, meat, milk etc. In severe cases you can also opt for vitamin supplements but only after a doctor’s approval.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 glass water
Method:
- Mix the vinegar in 1 glass of water.
- Drink it immediately and preferably on empty stomach.
How Many Times?
You must drink this concoction only on empty stomach. You can drink this 30 minutes before a meal for best results.
Why Is It Good?
Apple cider vinegar is a powerful home medication for the treatment of heaviness of heart, acid reflux etc. It is acidic in nature and contains acetic acid, amino acids, potassium, and antioxidants too which are great for human well being.
5. Hot Drinks
Whenever you experience chest pain or heaviness hot drinks come as a great life saver. You can sip slowly on anything even simple hot drinking water would relieve your trouble at that moment.
If you are facing acid reflux, indigestion or bloating then drinking hot water, green tea, herbal tea can be of great help as it aids in better digestion and clears the pathway of the heart.
6. Turmeric and Milk.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 glass hot milk
Method:
- Take a saucepan and pour hot milk in it.
- Now add turmeric powder and boil it for 5 minutes.
- Cool slightly and drink this concoction.
How Many Times
This mixture must only be taken before bed.
Why Is It Good?
Curcumin is found in turmeric and helps in reducing cholesterol, clot formation and clears the artery plaque. These are some of the main causes of heart trouble and heaviness on chest. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and reduces the body pain immediately.
More: Sleeping in Best Direction is Good for Your Health and Well-being
7. Basil
Ingredients:
8-10 basil leaves
Method:
- Chew the basil leaves daily morning on an empty stomach.
- On the other hand, you can also drink basil tea.
- You can extract juice from the basil leaves and drink it with honey.
How Many Times
Basil leaves must be eaten once daily for the best results.
Why Is It Good?
Basil is a rich source of magnesium and vitamin K (1). Here, magnesium helps in proper blood flow to your heart and also relaxes blood vessels. Vitamin K on the other hand prevents cholesterol build-up thus preventing heaviness on chest.
8. Cayenne Pepper
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- 1 glass fruit juice
Method:
Mix the Cayenne pepper to the glass of fruit juice and drink this concoction at once.
How Many Times
This can be consumed once every day.
Why Is It Good?
Cayenne pepper has capsaicin which is anti inflammatory and also helps regulate the blood flow of your heart. The anti inflammatory properties help lessen the left side chest heaviness immediately. It thereby prevents a heart disease.
9. Fenugreek Seeds
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
Method:
- The fenugreek seeds need to soak overnight in a cup of drinking water.
- Eat it with the water next morning on empty stomach.
- Alternatively, you can also boil these seeds in water for 5 minutes and drink the mixture after straining.
How Many Times
This can easily be done 1 to 2 times every day.
Why Is It Good?
Fenugreek seeds are full of antioxidants and are also anti inflammatory (2). They help in prevent chest related diseases and help in better blood flow to your heart. It also reduces the cholesterol levels.
10. Almonds
Ingredients:
10 to 20 almonds
Method:
- Soak almonds in water overnight or for some hours during the day.
- Remove the skin and eat it.
- If it is eaten on empty stomach it will be better for you.
- Alternatively, if you want quick relief from left side chest heaviness then mix equal quantity of rose oil and almond oil. Rub it on the pain or heaviness area.
How Many Times
Almonds must be eaten only once daily. Or the oil also must be rubbed during emergencies.
Why Is It Good?
Almonds contain polyunsaturated fatty acids that help in controlling and promoting better heart health. It also reduces chest pain and other diseases.
11. Cold pack
Muscle sprain is one of the most common causes of heaviness in my heart. People who are active in sports and perform intense workouts can face this trauma. You can also face this problem during exercise sessions.
Application of an ice pack is recommended to bring down the inflammation, swelling and chest pain. Ice reduces the pain and soothes the taut muscles instantly.
12. Baking soda
If you are facing an acid reflux then many home remedies suggest drinking baking soda solution. But this is an immediate solution and is not meant for a long term use. This is because it may cause adverse effects on the heart.
But, overall as it is an alkaline base, it provides immediate relief from acidity, heartburn and chest pain.
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 glass warm water
Method:
- Mix the baking soda in warm water and drink it instantly.
- Do not wait for the bubbles to subside.
13. Aspirin
If you are experiencing heaviness in my heart then you can also take an aspirin. If it is not a severe case then an aspirin might help to relieve chest pain and heaviness. Aspirin relieves body ache, muscle tension and overall fatigue thus relieving you off chest pain too.
14. Lie down
If you are facing chest heaviness then most likely you will be tensed and pacing up and down. But wait! Should you be really doing it? No, it will worsen your current situation.
This is the reason why most of the doctors suggest lying down while keeping your head elevated most of the times.
15. Ginger
Ginger has a chemical known as gingerol that helps in reducing the cholesterol from the body.
It is also an antioxidant and protects all the blood vessels from damage. Ginger spreads warmth in your body and alleviates the inflammation.
It is the best home remedy for chest pain. If you wish to keep your heart in top shape then it is recommended to eat a small piece of raw ginger on empty stomach every day. But you can also make ginger tea, to get rid of sinus, cough and cold, flu, chest pain etc.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 cup hot water
Method:
Mix the grated ginger in hot boiling 1 cup water and cover it. Steep it for 5 minutes and then strain it. You can now drink ginger tea.
16. Alfalfa
Alfalfa contains chlorophyll that helps in cleaning arteries, reducing bad cholesterol and plaque (3). It ensures smooth functioning and blood flow of all the arteries.
The chlorophyll softens arteries. This is the reason why drinking alfalfa tea is a great idea for what causes chest heaviness.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dry alfalfa leaves
- 1 cup hot water
Method:
- Add the dried alfalfa leaves to hot water and cover it
- Steep for 5 minutes and the strain
- Drink it hot.
There are alfalfa supplements available in the market which can be taken regularly but only on the recommendation of a doctor.
17. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
If you want to avoid chest pain then you will have to follow a healthy diet. Did you know that a healthy diet also included the intake of omega 3 fatty acids on a daily basis? Well, it does, especially if you want to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Omega 3 helps in lowering the triglycerides and avoid angina. As they are anti inflammatory and high in anti oxidants they have a great effect on overall health of the heart.
The best food source for Omega 3 fatty acids are fishes like salmon, trout, tuna, sardines and mackerel.
But for vegetarians there are chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, tofu and olive oil. If recommended by a doctor you can also take supplements readily available at pharmacies.
18. Meditation
If you are worried about what causes chest heaviness then keep them at bay. This is because meditation is the sole solution to all your problems. There are a host of benefits of meditating regularly.
It increases the level of oxygen in your body. It improves the blood flow and lowers the heart rate.
Thus it helps in alleviating the chest pain. If you wish to perform simple meditation at home then follow the steps given below.
- Sit comfortably
- Close your eyes.
- Now concentrate only on your breathing. Breathe in deeply and slowly breathe out.
- You can start off with 15 minutes of this activity daily.
- Slowly raise your time till you can pass on meditating for an hour without complaint.
- You will find a change within your body and soul
In the end, first identify the real cause behind your chest pain and then go about treating it with different home remedies.
If possible visit a doctor, get your problem diagnosed and then treat it at home.