Cardiovascular disorders are one of the major causes of the disability and premature deaths throughout the world and contributes substantially to the escalating cost of health care. The significant increase in the number of cardiovascular patients globally is mainly due to the influence of the life-style in the present modern era. Altered food habits, sedentary life styles, more inclination towards Junk calorie rich food, ever increasing stress in the mechanical and materialistic world may be directly linked with the increase in incidence of cardiovascular diseases world-wide. Ayurveda also propounds the theory of “Hridroga” and detailed descriptions in treatises of Ayurveda. On the basis of constitution and predominance of the dosha present, five types of Hridroga Vatika, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipataja & Krimija are explained in ayurveda. Group of Cardio-Vascular disorders a. Cerebro-vascular disease - disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain b. Peripheral Arterial disease - disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs c. Rheumatic Heart Diseases - damage to the heart muscles and heart valves from rheumatic fever caused by streptococcal bacteria. d. Congenital Heart Diseases - malformations of heart structure existing at birth e. Deep Vein Thrombosis / Pulmonary Embolism - blood clots in the leg veins, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs. Risk Factors 1. Change in life style – sedentary lifestyle 2. Change in food habits – heavy, sweet, oily etc. 3. Obesity 4. Addiction – tobacco, alcohol 5. Hereditary Ayurvedic Line of Management a) Avoidance of causative factors. b) Complete physical and mental rest. c) Controlled diet & life style modifications. d) Treat according to dosha predominance. On the basis of these descriptions, Hrid Roga has close association with various ailments described in modern cardiology. It is difficult to give a specific correlate of coronary artery disease in Ayurveda but on the basis of descriptions available in Ayurvedic classics the manifestation of coronary artery disease resemble very closely with Vatika Hridroga. While treating a patient of coronary artery disease on Ayurvedic principles, the status of Plasma, Plasma metabolism, Fat metabolism and Vitiated microchannels are primarily to be considered. High cholesterol leads to disintegrity of the interior layer of Coronary Arteries, which results in appearance of fatty streaks of vitiated dosha, ultimately producing Obstruction in microchannels due to thickening of coronary arteries. Herbs which possess properties like Appetiser, Digestants, Hypo-lipidaemic, Cardiac tonics, Liver stimulants and which cleanse the microcirculatory channels etc. may help in breaking down the chain of reactions taking part in thickening of arteries which is a primary precursor of coronary artery disease Drugs which possess such properties, may act at the very root cause of the disease coronary artery disease and check its progress.  

Panchakarma detox: In case of strong patient mild Vaman Karm and mild Vasti Therapy is recommended. Various trials with Lekhan Vasti has shown significant correction in the Lipid Profile of the patients hence slowing the progress of the disease. The drugs used in Lekhan Vasti have Scrapping, Kaph vata hara, Appetiser, Digestant, Micro-circulatory channels cleansing properties.

Do’s

Diet: One year old red Rice, Yellow lentil, Ginger, Pumpkin, Brinjal, Methi, Bitter gourd, Cucumber, Rock salt, Pomegranate, Raisins, Cumin, Honey, Harad etc.

Life Style: Fomentation, Fasting, Exercise , Brisk walking, Sleep, Yoga, Meditation etc.

Don’ts

Diet: Milk and milk products, astringent & incompatible food products, Alkalies, Heavy fatty diet etc.

Life Style: Kunjala, Retention of urges, Heavy exercise, Sleeping in day time, Stress, Aggression etc.

Seven Steers to Stop Heart Attack

1. Stopping tobacco use reduces the chance of a heart attack or stroke from the moment you stop.

2. Engaging in physical activities for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week will help to keep away heart attacks and strokes.

3. Eating at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and limiting your salt intake to less than one teaspoon a day, can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

4. High blood pressure may present with no symptoms, but can cause a sudden stroke or heart attack. Get your blood pressure checked regularly.

5. Diabetes increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you have diabetes, control your blood pressure and blood sugar to minimize your risk.

6. Being overweight increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. To maintain an ideal body weight, take regular physical activities and eat a healthy diet.

7. Heart attacks and strokes can strike suddenly and can be fatal if assistance is not sought immediately.

Ayurvedic formulations for cardiac disorders : Hridayarnawa Rasa, Akik Pishti, Prabhakar Vati, Pushkara Mula Churna, Haritakyadi Churna, Parthadyarishta, Patyadi Kalka, Arjuna Ghrita, Haritakyadi Ghrita.

Single Ayurvedic herbs: For cardiac disorders recommended single drugs are Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) Punarnava (Bohevia diffusa) Vacha (Acorus Calamus), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Methi Dana, Haldi (Curcuma indica) Adraka (Zingiber officinalis) and Amalki (Embelica officinalis), Castor Oil, Gokshuru (Tribulus terestris), Haritaki (Terminalia belerica).

1. M.D. (Ay.)Scholar, P.G. Deptt. of Kayachikitsa,

2. Director & Prof. and Head, P.G. Deptt. of Kayachikitsa, N.I.A., Jaipur – 302002