Congestive heart failure, also known as heart failure, is a condition that occurs when the heart muscle is unable to pump blood adequately. When this is the condition, the blood backs up and fluid can build up in lungs, which causes shortness of breath. The symptoms associated with this condition are- fatigue, weakness, swelling in legs, ankle and feet; rapid heartbeat, swelling in abdomen, rapid weight gain, nausea, lack of appetite, etc. The causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, hypertension, faulty heart valves, heart muscle failure, myocarditis, etc.
‘Hridaya Avrodha’ is the term for congestive heart failure in ayurvedic text. The origin of Rasa dhatu, which is one of the seven dhatus; is considered to be from the heart. This dhatu is vitiated due to accumulation of Ama in the body. This ama is accumulated as a result of improper diet, mental stress and weakened Agni (digestive fire). These toxins further accumulate in the heart and form the blockages in channels that ultimately result in heart failure. The toxins are also formed due to vitiation of doshas, which disturb metabolic fire, which further leads to formation of Ama.
Thus, the treatment of congestive heart failure in ayurveda focuses on balancing the vitiated doshas and eliminating toxins from the body. This is brought in by various therapies like Snehana, Swedana, Hrudayadhara and Basti. During the period of treatment, a proper diet and exercise regimen are set to follow. This diet and exercises help to pacify the effects of the vitiated doshas and boost the metabolic process of the body. Further, various herbal formulations are accompanied in the treatment which includes- ashwagandha, arjuna, brahmi, shankhpushpi, dalchini, choti elaichi, pipal tvak, punarnava, etc. The herbs mentioned have Cardiology-protective properties that help to strengthen the heart muscles and decrease the bad cholesterol levels, relaxes the heart muscles and so on. This line of treatment helps in relieving heart disease in a natural way.
Types of Congestive Heart Failure
- Left sided heart failure: In this condition the fluid may back up in the lungs, which causes shortness of breath.
- Right-sided heart failure: In this condition, the fluid may back up into the abdomen, which causes swelling of legs, feet and abdomen.
- Systolic heart failure: This is also known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, is a condition in which the left ventricle can’t contract vigorously, indicating a pumping problem.
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: In this condition the left ventricle can’t relax or fill fully, indicating a filling problem.
Causes of congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease: This is the most frequent cause for heart failure as it results from deposition of fats in the arteries which reduces the blood flow, and leads to heart attack.
- High blood pressure: Your heart has to work harder than it should to pump blood throughout your body if your blood pressure is high. This increased exertion might cause your heart muscle to become too stiff or weak to effectively pump blood over time.
- Faulty heart valves: The heart’s valves keep blood flowing in the right direction. A weakened heart is caused by a damaged valve, which can be caused by a heart defect, coronary artery disease, or a heart infection.
- Damage to heart muscle: Heart muscle injury can be caused by a variety of factors, including specific disorders, infections, high alcohol use, and the toxic effects of medicines like cocaine or chemotherapy treatments. Genetic factors can also play a part.
- Myocarditis: It is a condition in which there is inflammation of heart muscles which is caused by virus attack, and leads to left-sided heart failure.
- Congenital heart defect: If your heart and its chambers or valves haven’t grown properly, the healthy parts of your heart will have to work harder to pump blood, perhaps leading to heart failure.
- Other reasons can be noted as- allergic reactions, chronic illness, blood clots in lungs, infections, usage of drugs, and virus attack on heart muscles.
Complications of heart failure
- Kidney damage: If left untreated, heart failure can restrict blood supply to your kidneys, resulting in renal failure. There may be a need for dialysis to treat kidney disease that is caused due to heart failure.
- Heart valve problems: If your heart is enlarged or if the pressure in your heart is very high due to heart failure, the valves that keep blood flowing in the appropriate direction may not perform properly.
- Heart rhythm problems: This condition may lead to heart failure problems.
- Liver damage: As the heart causes fluid build-up during failure, it increases the pressure on the liver. This can lead to scarring and makes it difficult for liver functioning.
Ayurveda for congestive heart failure
‘Hridya Avrodh’ is the term for congestive heart failure in ayurvedic text. The origin of Rasa dhatu, which is one of the seven dhatus; is considered to be from the heart. This dhatu is vitiated due to accumulation of Ama in the body. This ama is accumulated as a result of improper diet, mental stress and weakened Agni (digestive fire). These toxins further accumulate in the heart and form the blockages in channels that ultimately result in heart failure. The toxins are also formed due to vitiation of doshas, which disturb metabolic fire, which further leads to formation of Ama.
Thus, the treatment of congestive heart failure in ayurveda focuses on balancing the vitiated doshas and eliminating toxins from the body. This is brought in by various therapies like Snehana, Swedana, Hrudayadhara and Basti. During the period of treatment, a proper diet and exercise regimen are set to follow. This diet and exercises help to pacify the effects of the vitiated doshas and boost the metabolic process of the body. Further, various herbal formulations are accompanied in the treatment which includes- ashwagandha, arjuna, brahmi, shankhpushpi, dalchini, choti elaichi, pipal tvak, punarnava, etc. The herbs mentioned have Cardiology-protective properties that help to strengthen the heart muscles and decrease the bad cholesterol levels, relaxes the heart muscles and so on. This line of treatment helps in relieving heart disease in a natural way.
