Herbal Remedies for Angina Pectoris, Ayurvedic Treatment – Causes & Symptoms
- May 21, 2016
- Posted by Vaidya Jagjit Singh
- 0 Comment(s)
Angina pectoris is the sensation of pain, pressure or squeezing due to ischemia of the heart muscle from obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries. The pain is often increased by physical activity or emotional stress.
Table of Contents
Types of Angina:-
- Stable angina – Also known as effort angina. It is usually caused due to some sort of physical excretion. People with stable angina pectoris feel a constant rhythm in the beating of their hearts and can predict when an attack of chest pain will occur.
- Unstable angina – Unstable angina comes on without warning. It can come on even when the patient is at rest. There is a sudden sharp pain in the chest and it almost always leads to a heart attack. This type of angina cannot be predicted in advance.
- Variant or Prinzmetal’s Angina – Variant angina attacks occur between midnight and early dawn. Though the pain is quite severe, it does not always lead to death.
CAUSES OF ANGINA PECTORIS
The major cause of angina pectoris is ischemia or congestion of the chest cavity. The coronary arteries bring the blood to the heart. If there is any congestion in the coronary arteries, then the blood supply to the heart is obstructed and it results in angina pectoris.
Blood supply of the coronary arteries gets blocked due to following reasons:
- Atherosclerosis – It is the accumulation of cholesterol in the major arteries that bring blood to the heart. Due to the accumulation, the lumen become narrow and the blood supply is hampered.
- Stress and tension – People living in a constant state of stress and tension require more blood supply to their brain. As a result, the heart has to pump more blood into the brain. After some time, the heart gets exerted and could lead to angina pain.
- Exposure to very hot or cold temperatures
- Heavy, oily and junk foods
- Excessive smoking
PEOPLE WITH HIGHER RISKS OF ANGINA
- People with diabetes
- People with high blood pressure
- People who have a family history of angina pectoris
- People who are in a constant state of stress and tension
- People who live sedentary lifestyle with less exercise
- People who are overweight
SYMPTOMS
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Sweating or cold, sweaty skin
- Nausea
- Rapid or irregular heart beat
- Pallor or pale skin
- Fatigue
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the centre of the chest
- Tightness, burning sensation and heavy weight
- Pain often radiates to the shoulders, neck or arms
- Pain in the upper abdomen, back or jaw
- Flatulence
- Indigestion
AYURVEDIC VIEW AND TREATMENT OF ANGINA PECTORIS ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE
In ayurveda, angina pectoris is known as hritshool. Hritshool is caused when there is an imbalance in the vata dosha of the body.
The major causes that trigger hritshool are:
- Ativyayam or overexertion of the body
- Ativyavaya or overindulgence in the sex
- Abhighaat or mental trauma
- Bhojana or diet
- Patan or sudden fall or physical shock
Following ayurvedic formulations are beneficial in angina pectoris:
- Brahmi Churna
- Jatamansi Churna
- Ashwagandha Churna
- Arjuna Twak
- Dashmooladi kwath
- Brahmi Vati
- Punarnava Mandoor
- Maha Yograj Guggulu
- Mukta Pishti
- Hritpatri or digitalis
Single herbs useful in angina pectoris are:
- Arjuna
- Jatamansi
- Guggulu
- Amla
- Haridra
- Peepal
- Lahsuna
- Onion
- Alfalfa
DIET AND LIFESTYLE IN ANGINA PECTORIS
A healthy diet helps in preventing angina pectoris.
- Avoid fatty foods
- Avoid fried food, milk products such as butter, cheese, full cream milk, oils etc
- Avoid fermented milk products such as curd
- Use vegetable oils for cooking like sunflower oil, olive oil and groundnut oil
- Avoid salt in the diet
- Carbohydrate rich diet must be followed. This includes cereals, wheat, rice and bread
- Drink a lot of water. Water will help to remove the toxins build up in the arteries.
- Regular exercise should be done. Keep a check on the amount of calories you are consuming.
- Do not eat heavy and junk foods. Rather go for light and easily digestible diet.
- Practice of yoga is also very beneficial in proper circulation and elimination of the cholesterol in the body.
HERBAL REMEDIES
- Eating two or three raw garlic cloves on empty stomach lowers blood pressure
- Soak one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds overnight in water. Have it next day early morning on an empty stomach. This helps in lowering cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Drinking coriander in water every day helps in the reduction of cholesterol in the body.
- Take one tablespoon of onion juice in the morning on an empty stomach. This is very effective in relieving angina pain.
- Grapes provide strength to the heart. Intake of grapes juice reduces the risk of having heart attack and angina pain.
- Take fresh juice of the leaves of holy basil. Mix it with lukewarm water and add some honey.
NOT SATISFIED?
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Vaidya Jagjit Singh is a 3rd generation Ayurved physician from his family and is the remarkable person responsible for setting up of the Chandigarh Ayurved and Panchkarma Centre in sector 32 and 22, Chandigarh and Zirakpur and he is also the first founder member of Guru Ravidas Ayurved University. He has done his B.A.M.S. from Shri Dhanwantri Ayurvedic College, Chandigarh. He is an admirable ayurvedic physician with specialization in Chronic ailments.