Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – Modern (Allopathic) Versus Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

 Coronary artery disease, aka CAD is a disease of the heart, commonly regarded as “heart attack”, with the well known symptom of chest pain. The arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) are normally smooth and elastic, and supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles, which work 24x7. CAD is a process in which a collection of inflammatory cells, cholesterol and calcium, known as atheromatous plaques, deposit in the inner wall of the coronaries, thereby gradually causing obstruction. The arteries gradually harden, and the lumen gets blocked, leading to ischemia or infarct. The plaques can also break off, and cause symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.

Chest pain is the commonest symptom and is diagnostic of CAD; however, people describe this symptom in different ways such as aching, burning, numbness, squeezing, tightness and heaviness. Indigestion and heartburn may have symptoms which overlap with those of CAD; hence a great degree of alertness is required to accurately diagnose CAD. It may be accompanied by associated factors such as sweating, nausea, fatigue, breathlessness, and palpitations. This condition is more common in the elderly, obese, male sex, and often linked to a family history, hypertension, diabetes, high stress, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy eating.

The diagnosis of CAD is made with a detailed medical history and physical examination, supported by blood tests, ECG, 2d-echo test, stress test and angiography. CAD treatment includes cessation of smoking and drinking alcohol, handling stress efficiently, exercising regularly, and controlling weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Adequate modifications need to be made in the diet by cutting down on salt, sugar, and fats, and increasing fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Unsaturated fats are recommended for use, while the use of saturated fats and trans-fats is discouraged.

The conventional treatment of CAD as per the modern (Allopathic) system of medicines is with the use of drugs like aspirin, cholesterol medicines, nitroglycerine and medications to lower and control high blood pressure. Balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and CABG are the known surgical procedures. Some new procedures introduced include stem cell use to induce angiogenesis, and enhanced external counter-pulsation.

The common complications of CAD include heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmia. The process of CAD is unrelenting and may start as early as childhood; though actual symptoms may manifest much later on in adult life or old age. Fortunately, there are many modifiable factors which can be treated to keep this process in check and prevent an acute attack and long-term serious damage.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be judiciously utilised to significantly reverse this unrelenting CAD pathophysiology. Herbal medicines help to treat inflammation, and reduce or prevent atherosclerosis. Dietary advice is important in reducing weight. The arteries can be kept elastic and less prone to damage and rupture by invoking a right combination of herbal medicines, exercises, yogic asanas like shavasana; breathing techniques like “bhastrika” and “anulom” and “pratilom” techniques; and body massage and fomentation. Ayurveda advocates the right use of oils and medicated ghee (clarified butter) to treat CAD; these can be used both locally and orally with good results.

Herbal and herbo-mineral medications can be effectively used to treat heart disease right from the early, asymptomatic stage to the later stages of enlargement and failure. Panchkarma treatment modalities like medicated enemas (basti) and “hridaya-basti” (localized chest treatment) can help strengthen fatigued heart muscles and hardened arteries. Recurrent attacks of chest pain (angina) can be effectively treated using Ayurvedic medications; Ayurvedic medicines and treatment modalities are more effective than modern medicines in treating such episodes where no specific pathology can be detected using diagnostic methods. Confirmed heart vessel blocks can be effectively reversed using Ayurvedic treatment on a long term basis.

A judicious combination of modern diagnostic methods, basic modern medicines to control symptoms, and additional Ayurvedic treatment can be effectively utilized to completely cure CAD on a long term basis. Ayurvedic medicines can also effectively treat associated conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. It is important to note that an acute attack of CAD should not be ignored or taken lightly, and all affected individuals should be referred to a hospital as soon as possible.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com To start treatment for CAD, kindly click here

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is a medical condition which causes a reduced blood supply to the arteries supplying the heart by a process known as atherosclerosis, in which fatty deposits accumulate in the walls of the arteries.  A partial block in the coronary arteries results in an attack of angina, while a complete block results in a heart attack.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for coronary artery disease is aimed at reducing the deposits of atheroma which obstruct the lumen of the arteries, as well as treating other risk factors for coronary artery disease.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on fat tissue and which prevent as also reduce atherosclerosis are used in high doses for prolonged periods in order to treat the root cause of coronary artery disease.  These herbal medicines also reduce overall cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood and regulate the reposition of fat in all the tissues, including the arteries.

Treatment also needs to be given for associated factors which contribute to an attack of angina or heart attack.  These causes include stress, high blood pressure, and diabetes.  All these contributory factors need to be treated aggressively so as to comprehensively reduce the risk for a heart attack.  Lifestyle changes also need to be made in order to reduce stress, manage weight, and undertake regular physical activity.  Most individuals who have confirmed atherosclerosis need Ayurvedic herbal treatment for periods ranging from three to nine months in order to significantly reduce the risk for heart attack.

Regular physical activity in the form of brisk walking, jogging, aerobic exercises, yogic asanas or a judicious combination of all the above-mentioned is important in order to reduce atherosclerosis and to reduce the long-term risk for an attack of angina or heart attack.  Individuals at risk also need to develop healthy eating habits and avoid foodstuffs containing high amounts of fat.  Stress can be reduced with the help of yogic asanas and breathing exercises as well as relaxation techniques.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment can thus contribute significantly in treating coronary artery disease and reducing the risk for heart attacks.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and  www.ayurvedaphysician.com  For Ayurvedic herbal treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), kindly click here