ATHEROSCLEROSIS

• Atherosclerosis is narrowing and hardening of arteries which is caused due to deposition of cholesterol, fats or other substances inside the walls. This deposited material is called plaque.
• Atherosclerosis is considered to be a heart problem but it can affect arteries of any part of the body.
• It is also called arteriosclerosis or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
• Plaque consists of deposits of cholesterol, cellular waste products, fats, calcium and fibrin. Its accumulation inside the artery makes the artery walls thickened and stiff.
• Sometimes plaque gets removed from the artery and blocks its lumen. This can make the artery burst.
• It is the main cause of heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
• Atherosclerosis is a slow and progressive disease. It can also occur in children. However, it grows rapidly in adults.
• Arteries carry oxygenated blood from heart to other parts of the body. Due to atherosclerosis, there occurs shortage of blood supply and thus oxygen to the tissues of the body.
• Healthy lifestyle habits can help in preventing the disease.

CAUSES

• The blood vessels are lined by a layer called endothelium. When endothelium starts getting damaged, then it leads to atherosclerosis.
• Due to high cholesterol level in blood, it starts getting deposited in the inside of the wall.
• This deposition increases with time. The deposition is called plaque.
• Plaque is made up of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium, fibrin, etc.
• This causes narrowing of blood vessels and there occurs shortage of blood supply to the vital organs.

RISK FACTORS

Following are the factors which makes a person more prone to atherosclerosis:

• Hypertension
• High cholesterol level
• High triglyceride level
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Lack of physical activity
• Inflammation in body

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of atherosclerosis develop slowly as the plaque deposits gradually in artery. Symptoms vary depending on the affected artery.

Following are the signs and symptoms of the disease:

• Shortness of breath
• Arrhythmia
• Numbness in arms and legs
• Headache 
• Chest pain
• Fatigue 
• Confusion
• Sweating 
• Muscle weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Vision problems
• Difficulty in speaking
• Nausea
• Loss of balance
• Paralysis 

COMPLICATIONS

Here are some of the complications which are associated with atherosclerosis:

• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Carotid artery disease
• Aneurysm
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke 

PREVENTION

Atherosclerosis can be prevented by some of the dietary and lifestyle changes. These are:

• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking
• Eating healthy foods
• Maintaining proper weight
• maintaining a healthy blood pressure
• maintaining cholesterol level
• maintaining blood sugar level

DIAGNOSIS

• The doctor will do a thorough physical examination of the patient. He will ask about the signs and symptoms of the disease. 
• He can also suggest some tests:

1. Blood tests
2. Exercise stress test
3. ECG
4. Doppler ultrasound
5. Echocardiogram 
6. CT Scan

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

According to Ayurveda, atherosclerosis is a kapha disorder. Kapha dosha affects vyana vayu in raktavaha srotas. This leads to formation and deposition of meda dhatu in raktavaha srotas. This results in narrowing of raktavaha srotas and leads to blockage.

Some of the herbs which are used for the treatment of atherosclerosis are:

• Arjuna

• It is used as a cardiac tonic since times immemorial.
• It strengthens the cardiac muscles and lowers blood pressure.
• It reduces deposition inside the arteries and thus good for the management of atherosclerosis.
• It is having anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Guggul

• It helps in lowering bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol.
• It is very effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis and various other heart ailments.

• Pushkarmool

• It also reduces cholesterol level in blood.
• It shows very good results in the treatment of angina and hardening of arteries.

• Brahmi

• It lowers blood pressure and thus acts as a hypotensive agent.
• It normalizes functioning of the heart.

CHANDIGARH AYURVEDA CENTER’S MEDICATIONS

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Some of the medications of Chandigarh Ayurveda Centre which are used in the treatment of atherosclerosis are:

1. HEART UP TABLET

• Heart Up Tablet is a unique formulation and is very effective in the treatment of heart diseases and related symptoms.
• It acts as a cardioprotective and anti-arrhythmic medicine providing strength to the heart muscles and maintains heart rate. 
• This medicine is very useful in relieving pain and maintains blood optimum viscosity.

Recommended Dose – 1 tablet twice a day with normal water

2. TRIKATU SYRUP

• Trikatu Syrup helps to eliminate excess Kapha or mucous from the body, supports respiratory system, manages weight, helps to take out impurities or ama from the body, supports healthy detoxification, reduces swelling.
• It shows anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, antioxidant properties.
• This syrup is made up of equal parts of three herbs such as Pippali (Piper longum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), & Marich (Piper nigrum) that maintains the metabolism in the body. 
• The regular use of this syrup balances the thyroxine hormone and treats hyperthyroidism naturally. 
• It is an Appetizer and it improves digestion, supports normal gastric function, and normal circulation.

Recommended Dose – 2 teaspoonful twice a day before meals

 3. KAPHA BALANCE TABLET

• Kapha balance tablet is a healthy blend of herbs formulated to balance Kapha doshas without aggravating Pitta and Vata doshas.
• It can also be used to alleviate any temporary Kapha imbalance.
• It is very effective in Kapha season that is late winter and spring.
• It consists of warming and astringent herbs that help to balance the system throughout the cold season.
• The main use of Kapha tablets is to remove excess Kapha doshas from the system and helps in the management of weight, healthy lungs, and the immune system.

Recommended Dose – 1 tablet twice a day with normal water

4. NERVE UP TABLET 

• Nerve up tablets help in balancing the vata doshas, kapha dosha, and acts as nervine stimulant.
• It shows effective results in improving the central nervous system.
• It contains natural ingredients like shudha kuchala, shudha shilajeet, abhrak bhasma, praval pishti, shankh bhasma etc.
• This tablet helps in memory boosting, reduces stress, act as immune-modulator. It also shows effective results in disorders of heart and circulatory system.

Recommended Dose – 1 tablet two times a day

 6. ACTIVE PLUS TABLET

• Active plus Tablet is a pure herbo-mineral formulation prepared from best quality of herbs. 
• This tablet is best for person mental and physical health, also helps to boost up the immunity.
• The herbal ingredients present in these tablets are used to maintain person’s health and refreshes the mind and body. 
• These tablets improves digestion, eliminates constipation, stress, nourishes brain,  acts as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, etc.

Recommended Dose –1 tablet  twice a day