Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment and Management of Aortic Regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation is a medical condition in which the aortic valve does not close fully and causes some blood flow leakage back into the left ventricle while it should be pumped fully into the aorta. While aortic regurgitation may not cause symptoms initially and for a long time, eventually, affected individuals develop symptoms such as fatigue and fainting due to less oxygen supply, as well as breathlessness and heart failure due to enlargement of the left ventricle. Individuals suffering from this condition are also more at risk of getting endocarditis. Congenital causes such as a two leaflet valve instead of the normal three leaves, old age, infections like rheumatic fever and endocarditis, high blood pressure, and aortic stenosis are known causes for this condition.

A clinical history, clinical examination, and tests like ECG, 2d echo and chest X-ray are usually sufficient for a diagnosis of this condition; rarely, cardiac catheterization may be required. Conservative treatment is given in the form of regular monitoring, lifestyle changes like regular exercise, weight control and quitting smoking, and medications to reduce high blood pressure. Surgical procedures involve valve replacement using open heart surgery or by a catheter procedure known as TAVR which is less invasive.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously used in the successful long term management of aortic regurgitation. Herbal medicines are used to control blood pressure, reduce obesity, reduce calcium deposition and thereby reduce thickening, hardening and scarring of valve leaflets, use specific medicines to make the aortic valve and adjoining tendon chords more pliable and efficient, improve heart muscle strength, elasticity and efficiency, and improve cardiac output. If required, herbal medicines can also be given to treat or prevent long term infection and inflammation.

Most patients with mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation can be managed very well using Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Treatment is usually required for about 8-10 months. For patients with moderately severe regurgitation, some medicines to maintain heart efficiency and normalize blood pressure may be required on a long term or lifelong basis. Patients with very severe aortic regurgitation are best treated surgically; however, those who are not fit for surgery - for various reasons - may still be managed well with Ayurvedic herbal treatment.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Successful Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment of Medical Conditions Related to the Heart

In the modern age of stress, modernization, globalization, pollution, and global warming, diseases of the heart are a leading cause for death worldwide. Ayurvedic management of these conditions is comprehensive and highly successful. A short summary of medical conditions and their Ayurvedic treatment is given below.

Hypertension or high blood pressure has become very common in the young and middle aged population, due to high stress, and competitive lifestyles. Ayurvedic treatment with simple herbs, coupled with relaxation techniques, deep breathing and Reiki, can very well manage mild to moderate blood pressure, without the need for modern anti-hypertensive drug therapy.

Congenital diseases related to the heart can be managed - and in most children, successfully treated - with the use of Ayurvedic herbs and herbo-mineral medicines. It is important to commence treatment at the earliest, immediately after diagnosis, and to continue treatment for at least six to twelve months. Conditions like Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) fall in this category. Even babies just a few months old can be safely treated with Ayurvedic medicines.

Most mild to moderate conditions related to the valves of the heart can be very well treated with Ayurvedic medicines. Both valve stenosis and regurgitation can be successfully treated with good long term results. Even with patients having severe involvement of the heart valves, surgery can be successfully delayed for several decades with aggressive Ayurvedic treatment. Aortic stenosis and regurgitation, and Mitral Stenosis and regurgitation fall in this category.

Medical conditions involving the heart muscle, usually called myopathies, are quite serious and have significant morbidity and mortality. Ayurvedic treatment can be judiciously used to treat these conditions, though the treatment time required here is more. Conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy fall in this category.

Congestive cardiac failure needs to be treated keeping in mind the known causes for the condition. Most patients can be successfully treated if Ayurvedic treatment is continued for about two to three years. Complete success can be obtained using a combination of Ayurvedic medicines and heart health supplements.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), causing angina (with partial blocks) or heart attacks (with complete blocks), have become very common even in young people. Ayurvedic treatment, combined with a healthy life style - including regular exercises, deep breathing techniques, yogasanas, and healthy food - can completely reverse CAD in most people.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment is thus very useful in successfully managing most medical conditions related to the heart.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Aortic regurgitation (AR or AI)

Aortic regurgitation (AR), also known as aortic insufficiency (AI), is a medical condition in which the aortic valve is incompetent and thereby allows a backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle.  This may be due to damage to the valves or enlargement of the originating part of the aorta (the aortic root).  This can result from infections, drugs, or diseases like hypertension and chronic autoimmune disorders.  Conventional management involves the use of medicines to control blood pressure and reduce peripheral resistance, thereby reducing the load on the heart.  Long-term AR normally results in enlargement of the left ventricular, symptoms like breathlessness, and in the long run, congestive cardiac failure (CCF).  Surgical treatment involves replacement of the defective valve.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for AR is aimed at treating the known cause of the condition.  Herbal medicines are used in order to reduce any possible chronic infection, improve the functioning of the heart, treat damaged heart muscle as well as damaged and enlarged aortic root, and strengthen the tendons attached to the valves.  A combination of such treatments is helpful in bringing about a gradual improvement in the functioning of the valves, thereby reducing symptoms.  This helps to gradually reduce the load on the overburdened left ventricle and thereby reduces or prevents left ventricular hypertrophy and the long-term risk for congestive heart failure.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment needs to be given for periods ranging from 6 to 12 months in order to bring about significant improvement in patients suffering from AR.  Herbal treatment is completely safe for long-term use and can be used along with conventional modern therapy.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can significantly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from AR and can also improve overall survival, as well as reduce the requirement for surgery.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com