Cardiomyopathy is a medical condition in which the muscles of the heart get affected due to various reasons such as high blood pressure, acute infections, episodes of heart attack, and other diseases related to the heart and lungs. Cardiomyopathy renders the heart unable to efficiently pump blood to the body, resulting in heart failure, circulatory failure, thrombosis and other complications. Cardiomyopathy can be of the different types: dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive.
The modern management of cardiomyopathy depends upon the type and the severity of the condition. Modern management however, is mostly supportive in nature and is not curative. Ayurvedic treatment can be applied in the management of cardiomyopathy since it has more specific action on the heart muscles and can therefore provide specific results and a possible cure for the condition. An accurate diagnosis of the condition is essential before commencing treatment. Treatment differs according to the different types of cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is treated with Ayurvedic medicines which provide strength and contractile capacity to the heart muscles. These medicines improve the efficiency of the heart and rapidly correct the condition of dilated cardiomyopathy. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, medicines are given which act on the cardiac muscles and reduce the size of the muscles, which have hypertrophied. This treatment takes a longer time to have effect; however, the pumping action of the heart improves slowly and in a definite manner.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a condition in which, usually, the heart muscles contract and reduce the circulatory space within the heart. In this situation, Ayurvedic medicines can be given to reduce the constrictive action on the heart, so as to improve the heart function. Associated conditions with cardiomyopathy also need to be treated concurrently, in addition to treating any visible complications of the condition. Ayurvedic treatment can therefore be judiciously applied in the management of the different types of cardiomyopathy.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
