Cayenne Pepper and Heart Health: Can It Really Stop a Heart Attack “In Its Tracks”?

Recent scientific research suggests that taking 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper during a heart attack can stop it in under a minute. What is it about this pepper that can have such an instant affect? It is due to the ingredient capsaicin anuum. Capsaicin is the ingredient in peppers that give it heat. The capsaicin widens the blood vessels and allows for better circulation. This helps the heart work more efficiently!

Scientists may just now be starting to catch up with the many herbalists who have known for generations the amazing benefits of cayenne pepper as an emergency medication and treatment for cardiovascular illnesses. Many world renowned herbalists claim to have stopped heart attacks within seconds of administering a teaspoon of cayenne pepper mixed with one cup of water. I read about an old country doctor who used to make house calls who said that he never lost a patient to a heart attack if he got to them in time to give them cayenne pepper. And I know a lady who has had mysterious, frequent heart pain ever since her triple bypass surgery but since she started taking a cayenne capsule twice a day, her heart rarely hurts.

Can cayenne pepper help prevent heart attacks?

Most likely. The pepper helps to normalize blood pressure levels, increase circulation, and also helps to balance LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. In regions of the world where cayenne pepper is frequently used in cooking, there is a much lower rate of heart disease and heart attacks. Cayenne pepper has also been used for other ailments such as gout, heartburn, hemorrhoids, nausea, tonsillitis, diphtheria, and scarlet fever to name a few.

Where do I get cayenne pepper to take for health purposes?

To take cayenne pepper for health purposes, it should be bought from a health food store rather than a grocery store because health food stores carry a higher quality and more powerful cayenne. And health food stores carry a wider range of strengths of cayenne (heat units). The higher the heat unit number, the hotter the pepper! Some cayenne capsules have a heat unit rating of only 30,000 (which is fairly hot) but cayenne can be bought in much, much higher units. It is probably best to start with a lower heat unit rating and work up, if necessary, because cayenne is a hot spice and your stomach will probably let you know if a certain strength is too hot for you. But for those people whose stomachs are sensitive to hot spices, a “cool” version of cayenne pepper capsules can be bought. This version has been specially formulated to feel cool in your stomach. A knowledgeable employee of a good health food store will be able to help you choose.

So, if you have heart problems or there is a tendency for heart problems in your family, do yourself a favor and do some research on the health benefits of cayenne pepper. You may be glad you did.