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According to Vedic Literature, ‘disease of the heart’ (Hridroga) existed even among people of prehistoric times. Its prevalence is recorded as early as 2400 B.C. Charak Samhita has a special mention about Hridroga with a clear-cut definition of what it is, its cause, development and management. Sushruta defines Hridroga as “any condition which produces disturbances in the heart”.  

According to Ayurveda, there are 5 classic types of Hridroga namely, Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipataja and Krmija. Typically,  Krmija-patient will experience a characteristic pain which will be like piercing by needles (Suchibhirivatoda).  This can be correlated with Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), based on the similarity of signs and symptoms as defined by modern medicine.

What causes Hridroga?

Charaka says that excessive use of articles having sharp (Tikshna) attributes, excessive worry, fear and stress, suppression of the manifested natural urges, physical or mental trauma, improper digestion and metabolism, administration of purgation and emetic therapies or even an enema in excess can lead to Hridroga.

Allopathic medicine also agrees with what Charaka has said, which has some parallels with the development of  direct or indirect role in pathogenesis of Ischemic Heart Disease. If the early symptoms of heart disease are not cared for, it can lead to Myocardial Infarction or ‘Heart Attack’.

 

Symptoms of Hridroga

According to Charaka, the common symptoms of Hridroga are discolouration of the skin, bad taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, morbid thirst, hiccup, asthma, fever, cough, fainting, nausea, vomiting or anorexia.  

The characteristic pain (Suchibhirivatoda) arises when a part of the heart does not receive enough blood. The pain will be the worst, like piercing the heart with several needles.

Ayurveda has an explanation for these symptoms which are more or like a sequence: improper diet and stressful life styles lead to thickening of arteries (Dhamanipraticaya) or hardening of arteries (Dhamanikathinaya) leading to angio-obstruction (Vata dosha) and finally to pain (Ruja).

How should symptoms of Hridroga be addressed?

Many factors such as heredity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high serum cholesterol and smoking can lead to Hridroga. However, if you are ready to follow certain Ayurvedic way of life, it is easy to manage the heart disease and avoid the complications arising from it

Angina

Angina is the term used to refer to the characteristic pain which will be normally felt in the chest. However, angina can also occur in jaws or abdomen. In some cases, it can come without any symptom, a condition which is called ‘Silent Ischemia’. Then at any moment, ‘heart attack’ can occur if there is a blood clot that suddenly cuts off blood supply to the heart.

Some simple measures

If you are in the habit of drinking ‘green tea’, it can avoid clogging of arteries. Garlic can prevent liver from producing excess fat and LDL-cholesterol. Turmeric can lower blood cholesterol levels and prevent formation of blood clots. Ginger also can reduce cholesterol and prevent blood clots. So, try to include them in your diet.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is defined as the force exerted by the blood to the walls of arteries. If you have low blood pressure, it means you have less power of digestion. If you have high blood pressure, it is a more serious condition which is called hypertension. Ayurveda sees hypertension as a manifestation of the three doshas which can be classified as:

1. Pitha: Hypertension is associated with liver disorders and the accumulation of internal heat.

2. Vata: Hypertension due to worry, strain, overwork, anxiety or insomnia and other nervous system disorders.

3. Kapha: Hypertension due to oedema, obesity, tiredness, and high cholesterol.

For those who have Vata-induced Hypertension, garlic is good. For Kapha-type, Trikatu can be used for treatment. And for those with Pitha-type, saffron or turmeric in a base of aloe gel can be used. Treatment using Brahma Rasayana is also advised.

Those having high blood pressure generally should avoid dairy, butter, eggs and high fat foods, hot spicy foods, particularly those with mustard and onions. A simple home-remedy involves taking crushed garlic and clove with honey which can be repeated once or twice a week. Nutmeg powder or Saraswat powder mixed with warm milk also can do good.

Heart Attack

Heart attack occurs when blood fails to reach to heart. It can be caused by arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis means thickening and hardening of the blood vessels. In atherosclerosis, the walls of blood vessels harden and lose their elasticity which is caused by the deposition of fatty substances.

Both arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis can lead to high blood pressure and eventually to chest pain, stroke or sudden cardiac arrest and death. 1 gm of Guggul can be taken in the morning and evening for three months. Garlic also can be taken along with honey.

 

Some Simple Herbs

Kantharimulaku: Fruits of ‘Bird’s Eye Chilli’ has the capacity to lower LDL-Cholesterol and raise the level of HDL- Cholesterol (Thomas, L. and, Kamath J.V., Evaluation of Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity of Capsicum frutescens Extract, International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research, Vol 9, Issue 4, 2017, 165-168).

Ginger: The rhizomes of ginger can enhance the circulation of blood. They can also clean the blood vessels due to the presence of the active constituent called ‘gingerol’. It can also reduce the amount of LDL-cholesterol. As a simple treatment, water boiled with ginger rhizomes can be taken internally.

Lemon: It possesses the capacity to clean blood vessels and avoid formation of blocks. Lemon juice mixed with honey and pepper powder can be taken for two weeks to get the desired effect. Another method involves boiling the rind of the fruit in 4 glasses of water and then taking internally with honey. This can be repeated thrice a day.

Nellikka:  Known as Gooseberry, Amla or Nellikka can increase red blood cell count. It can be used to build and maintain new tissues. It contains gallic and ellagic acids, phyllembic acid, emblicol, alkaloids and Vitamin C which can are beneficial for the health of the heart.

Neermaruth: The medicinal part Terminalia arjuna tree is its bark. Arjunarishta is a cardiac tonic which is often combined with ashwagandha, brahmi and guggul. Arjunarishta is a coronary vasodilator which can protect the heart and strengthen the circulation. It can also help to maintain the tone and health of the heart muscle. Six teaspoonfuls of Arjunarishta are given to the patient twice daily after food with an equal quantity of water.

Garlic: It can be used to alleviate vata-doshas. It can control blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Garlic can also ensure proper circulation of blood. It prevents blood vessels from contracting. One glass of milk boiled with three pieces of garlic can be taken at bedtime. This can be made a daily routine to ensure health of the heart.

Turmeric: It has the power to remove blocks in the blood vessels thanks to the presence of the active factor called ‘Curcumin’. One glass of warm milk mixed with one teaspoon full of turmeric powder with enough honey to adjust the taste can be taken at bedtime. Remember to consume 400-600 mg turmeric every day.

 

Special drink for the heart

Take equal quantities of ginger-juice, lemon-juice, garlic-juice and mix them with equal amount of Apple Cider Vineger. Boil it to reduce it to half the quantity. Allow the mixture to cool and, before it is totally cooled, add water to make it double the quantity. Add some honey for taste. When fully cooled, this can be kept in a refrigerator and one tablespoon full can be taken in empty stomach every day. Do not drink water for 10 minutes. This can be repeated till the full mixture is consumed.

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