Can chewing ginger right after a heart attack open up blocked arteries?

Hyderabad: A video of a man claiming that ginger can be an effective natural remedy to unclog blockages immediately after a heart attack has gone viral on social media. NewsMeter verified that the speaker in the viral video is the famous Ayurveda and meditation guru Acharya Manish Ji.

In the viral video, addressing a huge crowd, Acharya Manish ji says in case someone gets a heart attack, immediately make them crouch down and give them a piece of ginger to chew on. He claims that ginger juice will unclog the heart blockage.

The same video was also uploaded on YouTube.

A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. The blockage is usually due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the heart (coronary arteries).

Can ginger juice unclog blocked arteries? Let's find out.

FACT CHECK

According to a study, "Amongst natural entities, ginger is used as a traditional medicine in several diseases. The crude extract, along with related pungent active constituents, is mostly attributed to heart health. The cardioprotective effects of ginger are contributed to its cardiotonic, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidaemia, and anti-platelet effects. The signalling pathways and molecular mechanisms of ginger regarding its cardioprotective effects are also clarified."

Apart from the proven effects of ginger on heart disease, there is no evidence to prove that chewing ginger immediately after a heart attack will unclog blockages. One has to include ginger in one's daily diet to enjoy its medical benefits.

According to Healthline, "High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of heart disease." The foods you eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels.

In a 2014 study of 60 people with hyperlipidemia, 30 people who received 5 grams of ginger-pasted powder each day saw their LDL (bad) cholesterol levels drop by 17.4% over a 3-month period.

While the drop in LDL is impressive, it's important to consider that study participants received very high doses of ginger, it said and added, "These findings are supported by a study in rats with hypothyroidism or diabetes. Ginger extract lowered LDL (bad) cholesterol to a similar extent as the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin."

Although ginger has medical advantages when it comes to maintaining heart health, there is no evidence that chewing ginger immediately after a heart attack is going to work wonders.

Instead of being ready with a piece of ginger, learn how to give CPR during an emergency. And in case of an emergency, call 112 for immediate help. The sooner you get to an emergency room, the sooner you can get treatment. A heart attack requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or an electrical shock to get the heart pumping again.

The claim, hence, is false.