Ayurveda Remedies for Heart Blockage Relief

The vata dosha, and specifically Vayana Vayu, which is a subtype of vata dosha is responsible for the heart’s ability to pump blood and transfer it to the rest of the body. 

Avalambaka kapha nourishes, safeguards and lubricates the heart while sadhak pitta controls the emotional equilibrium. 

An Imbalance in all or any of these physiological humors causes heart disorders like hypertension, heart blockage, rheumatic heart disease and inflammations of the heart.

The sedentary modern lifestyle, incorrect dietary practices and behaviors that do not match the body’s natural rhythm contribute to the accumulation of toxins that lead to heard disorders. 

The risk factors for heart blockage can be treated in Ayurveda through the 5 Pachakarma procedures. This treatment not only heals the body, but also nourishes and renews your mind and soul, which promote overall wellbeing. 

Coronary arteries primarily block because of the formation of plaque inside of the arteries. 
The exact cause for the blockage is not yet known. Other causes include: 

•    unhealthy diet with lots of junk food
•     lack of adequate physical exercise 
•     inactive lifestyle
•    Obesity 
•    Genetic reasons 
•    Smoking tobacco 

The symptoms for heart blockage may not be visible until the artery is almost closed or until you experience a stroke or a heart attack. 
Below are the symptoms of a heart block:

•    Chest pain that is felt on the left or middle side of the heart because of the improper supply of oxygenated blood.
•    Dizziness 
•    Extreme fatigue, tiredness and shortness of breath
•    Irregular heartbeat with quivering sensations
•    Vomiting
•    Extreme anxiety

You however must visit a doctor who will properly diagnose   you after carrying out tests. You cannot just assume you have a heart blockage when you experience the symptoms and start treatment without being diagnosed.

Ayurveda treatment for heart diseases includes measures like lifestyle changes, dietary regulations, exercises and also herbal medicines and oils.
The specialist will first examine you to know your condition and confirm the severity of the condition. After that, they will prescribe the most favorable treatment to undergo.

Treatments:

i)  Snehana (oleation) 

This therapy prepares the body for specialized Panchakarma treatment. During this process, the patient is takes medicated oils, ghee and herbs and others applied to the heart area. 
Oleation loosens the toxins also called ama, and the doshas in the body. There are two type of oleation, external and internal oleation. 
During Internal Oleation (Abhyantara Snehana) the patient is given special herbs to take.
During External Oleation (Bahya Snehana) the patient is given medicated oil massages around the heart area and the surrounding areas. 

ii)  Swedana (fomentation)

Swedana is the process of inducing sweat to remove toxins from the body using warm oil. This procedure softens and melts the toxins in the arteries. After the procedure, the patient is wrapped in a blanket or a cotton sheet and allowed some time to rest. After they are directed to take a hot shower and then the scalp is covered in Rasnadi Churna. This helps in balancing the vata and kapha doshas in the body.

Types of swedana therapy include:

•    Steam Chamber treatment 
•    Jentaaka
•    Parisheka
•    Nadi
•    Prasthara
•    Sankara Application 

iii) Urovasthi 

For this treatment, a leak proof trough made of a fine black lentil paste is sealed around the heart area and then heated therapeutic oil is poured on the region. After 30 to 40 minutes, the lentil seal is removed. 

The therapeutic oils nourish the muscles, nerves and joints in the chest area and improves blood circulation. 

iv) Basti (medicated enema)

Basti therapy is a type of Pachakarma treatment that cleanses, nourish and rejuvenates the body. The treatment involves use of herbal concoctions, oils and other medicated substances. 
This therapy procedure restores the balance of vitiated vata dosha. This helps in healing heart conditions that are linked to vata dosha.

v) Virechana

This therapy utilizes induced purgation to eliminate vitiated doshas in the body.  Virechana helps in losing weight and enhances body metabolism. Reduced weight reduces the fat accumulation in the heart arteries, thereby reducing the substances that may cause heart blockage. 
The tarry poisons that have built up in the arteries and veins are removed during this therapy. After that the blood vessels regain their flexibility and improves the flow of blood to the heart.

Practices to Maintain Heart Health

•    Eat light food for dinner to avoid overloading the digestive systems and absorbing a lot of calories.
•    Detoxify your body at least once a year to remove the accumulated toxins
•    Take small quantities of red meat and non-vegetarian foods if you have a sedentary lifestyle
•    Avoid white flour products
•    Avoid butter as it has unsaturated fatty oils that increase bad cholesterol. Alternatively, you may use ghee for cooking.
•    Take more seasonal fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed foods.
•    Moderate the intake of sugar 
•    Practice yoga and Pranayama, which are breathing techniques to relax your mind. Meditation is also great to attain mental health and prevent eating disorders that are caused by stress.
•    Avoid or at least minimize the intake of alcohol and cigarettes. 
•    Drink lots of water throughout the day.
•    Incorporate herbs and spices like cinnamon, ginger, rosemary, oregano, cloves, parsley and turmeric in your diet.
•    Loose the extra weight to avoid obesity, which is a leading cause for heart blockage.

Here are some of the herbs used to treat heart blockage in Ayurveda:

Arjuna, Terminalia Arjuna – This herb strengthens the heart muscles and lowers the risk of infarction. It also lowers the blood pressure and cholesterol in the body thus reducing the risk of heart disease.

Garlic – garlic is known for its heart protective properties. The allicin in garlic helps in lowering cholesterol levels and prevents the formation of blood clots.

Turmeric – Turmeric contains curcumin which is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, therefore preventing the formation of arterial plaques.

Pushkarmool – this herb is believed to contain anti-platelet aggregation effects and also dissolves plaques that form in the arteries.

Guggul- This herb has anti-inflammatory properties, promotes weight loss and also manages cholesterol and blood sugar levels. 

Hawthorn – Hawthorn is used in Ayurveda to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries. This reduces the risk of heart blockage and cardiovascular diseases.