AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
INTRODUCTION
We are undergoing rapid change from last few years and speed of this phase of transformation is increasing very speedily. No doubt we are increasing our skills but our moral values and norms are lost. We all are experiencing drastic change in our lifestyle. Modern lifestyle has number of advantages by making everything short and easier. On the other hand this lifestyle makes us physically, mentally and socially sick. Other way modernity is excess use of electronic gadget, computers, laptops and machines. Our lifestyle is sedentary and intake of unhealthy food is rising. This unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk of overweight. As a result consequently we are leading to diabetes, various heart diseases and respiratory disorders. Let’s talk about one of cardiovascular disease in this article.
ABOUT HEART
Heart is special muscle found in human body to pump blood throughout body and it beats 70 times per minute. The size heart is just about our fist. The network of blood vessels that supply blood in the heart’s surface is called coronary arteries.
ABOUT ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
Word ischemia means insufficient blood supply to heart. The disease may defined as condition when blood supply to heart is reduced and oxygen level is not sufficient for myocardium. Main cause of this disease is blockage in the coronary arteries. This condition may further lead to stable and unstable angina, myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest.
CAUSES OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
Genetic and hereditary causes
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
Excessive smoking
Stressful lifestyle
High levels of cholesterol
Atherosclerosis
SYMPTOMS OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
- Acute and mild chest pain
- Arrhythmia
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Swelling in feet and ankles
- Heart failure
- Sudden death
RISK FACTORS OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Excessive intake of alcohol and smoking
- Stress
- Age and family history
- Diabetic patient
- Unsaturated fat rich diet
DIAGNOSIS OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE
- Electrocardiography
- X- ray chest
- Blood test
- Coronary angiography
- Intravascular ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging
AYURVEDIC ASPECT
Ayurvedic term used for ischemic heart disease is “HRIDROGA”. Word ‘HRID’ means heart and ‘ROG’ means disease and disease associated with heart is called ischemic heart disease. According to Ayurveda heart is considered as a main channel for rasa and rakta dhatu. Our sedentary life style and unhealthy food intake cause blockage in the heart. The main power in our body that control everything is vata dosha. Vikrati of meda dhatu, pitta and kapha dosha blocks the way of vata. Aggregation of vata dosha causes pain in heart and other symptoms like cough, fatigue, palpitations, loss of appetite etc.
- PRANA VAYU – Prana vayu causes cough and drowsiness.
- VAYANA VAYU – Vyana vayu is responsible for the swelling in feet and ankles and increasing heart rate.
- SADHAKA PITTA – Sadhaka pitta is responsible for palpitations and cold sweating. Due to this vayu we can feel our heart beats.
- AVLAMBAKA KAPHA – loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness are due to avlambaka kapha.
- OJAS – Finally heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest is due to ojas. Because main site of ojas is heart.Katu rasa pardhan, teekshan, laghu, suksham, lekhan guna pardhan, kapha- vata hara, medho hara, ushan veerya herbs are used to manage heart problems.
