INTRODUCTION TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES(CVDS)

Cardiovascular diseases are the number 1 cause of death globally, with 4 out of 5 deaths occurring due to heart attack & stroke (WHO). In India, CVDs are of particular concern due to the increasing number of cases especially with early age of onset, high rates of morbidity & mortality. 25% of all the causes of death in India are estimated to be due to CVDs. CVDs refer to the diseases which affect the heart & blood vessels. CVDs are diseases which affect the heart & blood vessels.

Causes :

1. Poorly managed Hypertension, Diabetes, obesity
2. High cholesterol
3. Smoking, alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyle
4. Genetic predisposition etc

Common signs & symptoms :

1. Palpitations & tremors
2. Excessive sweating
3. Pain & discomfort in epigastric region, radiating to left arm
4. Dizziness, blackout
5. Breathlessness

Types :

1. Coronary artery disease
2. Cardiomyopathy
3. Hypertensive heart disease
4. Dysrhythmia / Arrhythmia
5. Inflammatory heart disease
6. Pulmonary heart disease
7. Heart failure
8. Valvular heart disease
9. Congenital heart disease
10. Rheumatic heart disease etc

Ayurveda :

• Hrudroga refers to a disease which affects the Hrudaya.
• Causes :

• 1. Food – irregular & improper quality / quantity / time & method of consumption.
  2. Activities – irregular & improper exercise, work shifts, suppressing natural urges etc.
  3. Sleep – irregular sleep – wake cycle, night outs, day sleep etc.
  4. Stress – emotional, work pressure etc.

• Improper lifestyle > imbalance of Doshas > disturbance in digestive process > disturb the Rasa Dhatu > which helps the Doshas localize in Hrudaya > Hrudroga
• Types – Vata / Pitta / Kapha dominant / All Dosha involved / Krimija
• Hrudroga may not be always equal to CVDs.
• Signs & symptoms are explained according to Dosha predominance. For example, Hruddrava (Palpitations) in Vataja, Ati sweda (excess sweating) in Pittaja & stambha (rigidity / sudden stoppage in activity) in Kaphaja.

• Treatment :

1. Proper diet & regimen
2. Lifestyle modifications
3. Oral medications
4. If needed, Panchakarma therapy (Detoxification / Bio cleansing)
5. Rasayana therapy (Rejuvenation / Nutrition)

• Benefits :

1. Medications / therapies will be minimum, with “NO LIFELONG DEPENDENCY” in most of the cases.
2. Cost effective.
3. Improvement in quality of life.

Author : Dr. Spoorthy S Naik _B.A.M.S

Fellowship student, Prakruthi Ayurveda Prathishtana®