Angina pectoris is a well-known medical condition involving typical chest pain usually resulting from a reduced blood flow through the coronary arteries, thereby starving the heart muscles of much-needed oxygen. Angina pectoris usually results from atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, and inflammation of the coronary arteries. The known risk factors for angina pectoris include a family history, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol levels, severe hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The modern management of this condition involves reduction of the known risk factors and giving medications which reduce cholesterol and hypertension, dissolve blood clots, and improve the blood flow through the coronary arteries.
The Ayurvedic herbal treatment for angina pectoris is aimed at giving symptomatic treatment to reduce chest pain, reducing the risk of a heart attack, and treating the known causes for the condition. Herbal medicines which reduce atherosclerosis as well as bad cholesterol are given to control the major risk factors for angina pectoris. Ayurvedic medicines are also given to treat inflammation in the arteries as well as to prevent coronary artery spasm. Medicines are also given to control high blood pressure and known medical conditions like diabetes mellitus.
In addition, Ayurvedic herbal medicines are also given to strengthen the damaged or weak heart muscles so that the heart function is optimized. Several herbal medicines can be given on a long-term basis so as to improve the structure and functioning not only of the coronary arteries but the entire cardiovascular system in general. This treatment not only treats angina pectoris, prevents future heart attacks, but it also prevents other cardiovascular diseases like paralysis, deterioration of vision, and kidney failure.
Along with treatment for angina pectoris, it is equally important to advise the affected individual to make suitable lifestyle changes such as cessation of smoking, exercising regularly, and eating healthy food. Relaxation techniques, yogasanas, and breathing techniques such as pranayam can be utilised to reduce stress and increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus be judiciously utilised for the management and treatment of angina pectoris, and for prevention of heart attacks in the affected individual.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
