Heart Diseases (Hṛidroga / हृद्रोग) – An Ayurvedic Perspective
Ayurveda approaches heart disease not only from a physical level but also as a mental and emotional disorder linked to lifestyle, diet, mental stress, and doṣic imbalance. A combination of detox, herbal therapy, lifestyle correction, and rejuvenation helps in managing heart disease effectively and holistically.
Definition (Paribhāṣā):
In Ayurveda, heart diseases are described under the term “Hṛidroga”, where “Hṛid” means heart and “Roga” means disease. It refers to the impairment of the heart’s normal functioning due to imbalance of Tridoṣas—Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha—and Rasa Dhātu (plasma/nutritional fluid) leading to symptoms related to circulation, emotion, and vitality.
Understanding Hṛidaya in Ayurveda:
- Location: Hṛidaya (heart) is one of the Trimarma (three vital organs) and is located in the chest.
- Functions: Responsible for circulation of Rasa Dhātu, Prāṇa Vāyu, and emotional regulation.
- Seat of Mind & Soul: Ayurveda considers heart as the seat of Manas (mind) and Ātmā (soul).
Pathogenesis (Samprapti):
Heart disease develops due to the vitiation of Doṣas, especially Vāta, which disturb the flow of Rasa and Rakta (blood), resulting in poor oxygenation, tissue nutrition, and emotional balance.
Types of Hṛidroga According to Doṣa Dominance:
Vātaja Hṛidroga (Heart disease due to Vāta):
- Symptoms: Palpitations, chest pain, dryness of mouth, insomnia, fear, anxiety, irregular pulse.
- Causes: Excessive walking, fasting, emotional stress, cold exposure.
Pittaja Hṛidroga (Heart disease due to Pitta):
- Symptoms: Burning sensation in chest, fever, thirst, yellow discoloration, irritability, acid reflux.
- Causes: Hot and spicy food, anger, alcohol, exposure to heat.
Kaphaja Hṛidroga (Heart disease due to Kapha):
- Symptoms: Heaviness in chest, lethargy, cough, cold sweat, feeling of pressure, slow digestion.
- Causes: Excessive sleep, oily food, lack of exercise.
Tridoṣaja Hṛidroga:
- Combination of all symptoms above.
- More severe and chronic in nature.
Krimija Hṛidroga:
- Caused by internal parasites or infectious agents.
- Rarely described, can be correlated with infective endocarditis or other microbial heart infections.
Modern Correlations: Major Types of Heart Diseases
Ayurveda does not use terms like “myocardial infarction” or “hypertension,” but the classical Hṛidroga may encompass:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):
- Most common form.
- Caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in coronary arteries).
- Leads to reduced blood flow to heart muscle.
- Can cause angina (chest pain) or heart attack (myocardial infarction).
- Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure):
- The heart can’t pump blood effectively.
- Symptoms: breathlessness, fatigue, swelling of legs (edema).
- May be caused by CAD, hypertension, or cardiomyopathy.
- Arrhythmias:
- Abnormal heart rhythms: too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregular (e.g., atrial fibrillation).
- Can cause palpitations, dizziness, or sudden cardiac arrest.
- Valvular Heart Disease:
- Damage or defect in one of the heart’s valves.
- Types: stenosis (narrowing), regurgitation (leakage), prolapse.
- May require surgery or valve replacement.
- Congenital Heart Disease:
- Structural abnormalities present from birth.
- Includes septal defects, valve issues, or abnormal heart chambers.
- Cardiomyopathy:
- Disease of the heart muscle, weakening its ability to pump blood.
- Types: dilated, hypertrophic, or restrictive.
- Pericardial Disease:
- Inflammation or fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac around the heart.
- Example: pericarditis.
Chikitsā (Treatment Plan):
1. Avoidance of Cause:
- Avoid excessive stress, poor diet, sedentary life, emotional extremes.
2. Shodhana Chikitsā (Detoxification):
- Virechana (therapeutic purgation) – especially in Pittaja conditions.
- Basti (medicated enema) – in Vātaja conditions.
- Hridaya Basti – local oil retention over heart region.
- Nasya – nasal administration for calming the mind and Prāṇa.
3. Shamana Chikitsā (Palliative Therapy):
- Use of specific herbs and formulations to pacify aggravated Doṣas and strengthen the heart.
Below are three key resources to help understand heart diseases from both Ayurvedic and Western perspectives, tailored for clear understanding and practical use:
1. Comparison Table: Ayurvedic vs Western View of Heart Diseases
| Aspect | Ayurvedic Perspective | Western Medicine Perspective |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Hṛidroga (हृद्रोग) | Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Heart Disease |
| Causative Factors | Doṣa imbalance (Vāta, Pitta, Kapha), emotional stress, Ahāra-Vihāra | Atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, poor diet |
| Pathogenesis (Samprapti) | Doṣa vitiation leads to Rasavaha Srotas dushti | Plaque buildup, inflammation, artery narrowing |
| Types | Vātaja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Tridoṣaja, Krimija Hṛidroga | Coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmia |
| Primary Organs Involved | Hṛidaya (heart), Rasa Dhātu, Prāṇa Vāyu | Heart muscle, coronary arteries, conduction system |
| Symptoms | Chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, anxiety, heaviness | Chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, irregular heartbeat |
| Treatment Goal | Balance Doṣas, detox (Shodhana), strengthen heart (Rasayana) | Control risk factors, medication, surgery if needed |
| Treatment Modalities | Panchakarma, herbal therapy, diet, Prāṇāyāma, Rasayana | Drugs (statins, beta blockers), angioplasty, bypass |
| Mental/Emotional Link | Strong focus on stress and emotional control | Acknowledged as a risk factor, especially in CAD |
| Preventive Focus | Lifestyle (Dincharya), Satvic food, mind-body balance | Diet, exercise, BP/cholesterol control |
Complications if Untreated:
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Chronic fatigue
- Stroke (correlates with Urdhva Vāta)
- Edema, respiratory distress
- Emotional instability
Rasayana (Rejuvenation Therapy):
- Regular use of Arjuna + Ashwagandha + Brahmi for long-term support.
- Periodic Panchakarma for detox and balance.
- Medhya Rasayanas to calm the heart-mind connection.
Important Ayurvedic Herbs for Heart Health:
| Herb Name | Latin Name | Action in Hṛidroga |
|---|---|---|
| Arjuna | Terminalia arjuna | Cardiotonic, Rasayana, anti-anginal |
| Pushkarmoola | Inula racemosa | Improves cardiac strength, anti-anginal |
| Guggulu | Commiphora mukul | Lowers lipids, anti-inflammatory |
| Lashuna (Garlic) | Allium sativum | Antihypertensive, lipid lowering |
| Brahmi | Bacopa monnieri | Reduces stress, improves memory |
| Jatamansi | Nardostachys jatamansi | Calms the mind, relieves anxiety |
| Shankhpushpi | Convolvulus pluricaulis | Anti-stress, neuroprotective |
Classical Ayurvedic Formulations:
- Arjunarishta
- Saraswatarishta – For anxiety-linked cardiac symptoms.
- Hridayarnava Rasa – Especially in Vātaja Hṛidroga.
- Yogendra Rasa – Rasayana for heart and nerves.
- Prabhakar Vati – Cardiac tonic, used in palpitations and heart weakness.
Dietary Guidelines:
- Eat warm, light, and easily digestible food.
- Cooked vegetables, barley, green gram, red rice.
- Use ghee (in small amounts), coconut water, garlic, coriander, nelli, pomegranate, cumin, and turmeric.
- Include barley, green gram, nelli, coconut water.
Avoid:
- Deep Fried food, processed meat, cheese, excess salt/sugar.
- Cold food, leftovers, alcohol, soft drinks.
- Fermented foods.
2. Lifestyle Advice: Patient-Friendly Ayurvedic Lifestyle Plan for Heart Health
Daily Routine (Dincharya):
- Wake up before sunrise (Brahma Muhurta).
- Drink warm water with a pinch of turmeric.
- Perform oil massage (Abhyanga) with sesame or Bala oil.
- Do light yoga + Prāṇāyāma (Anuloma Viloma, Bhramari).
- Meditation and emotional balance are crucial. Meditate 10 mins to calm the mind.
- Avoid late nights, excessive talking, and mental strain.
Mental Wellness (Sattva-Balancing):
- Avoid excess emotions like anger, worry, or fear.
- Practice self-compassion, gratitude, and mental stillness.
- Keep good company and avoid negative influences.
3. Ayurvedic Home Remedies and Herbal Support (Safe Use Only with Physician Guidance):
| Condition | Home Remedies (Simple Use) | Ayurvedic Medicines (Classical Formulations) |
|---|---|---|
| Mild chest heaviness | 1 tsp Arjuna powder in warm water with honey (morning) | Arjunarishta |
| Palpitations or anxiety | Boil Brahmi + Jatamansi in water, drink before bed | Saraswatarishta |
| High blood pressure tendency | Garlic cloves crushed in warm water daily | Sarpagandhadi Vati, Hridayarnava Rasa |
| Low cardiac strength | Ashwagandha + Arjuna powder with milk | Ashwagandhadi Leha, Yogendra Rasa |
| Cholesterol/lipids | Heen bovitiya, Yakinaran; 1 tsp Triphala + Guggulu after meals | Guggulutiktaka Kashaya, Medohar Vati |
Important: Herbs like Arjuna, Guggulu, and Sarpagandha can interact with western medications (like blood thinners, beta blockers). Always use under Ayurvedic or integrative physician supervision.
