Coronary Artery Disease is the narrowing or obstruction of the coronary arteries mainly by the accumulation of plaque that forms atherosclerosis. This in turn reduces blood flow to the heart muscles, leading to chest pain or angina pectoris and other complications. Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary arteries without angina pectoris is one of the conditions related to CAD.
There are various types of coronary artery disease, which include the obstructive and non-obstructive forms. Coronary artery disease management would include lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, angioplasty or bypass surgery. CAD is said to be one of the common causes of death all over the world, but it can be managed and prevented with proper care.
Angina is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease and is a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest. It usually occurs when the heart wants more oxygen while it is exercising or under stress, but does not get enough because the arteries are narrowed. Other discomforts can be noted in the shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw and normally resolve with rest or use of medications such as nitroglycerin.
Shortness of breath is another symptom, which may occur due to less efficient pumping of oxygen-rich blood from the heart. When oxygen-rich blood is not pumped up in sufficient amounts by the diseased heart, the body system does not work efficiently. Advanced disease stages may even cause shortness of breath at rest.
Even the slightest activity results in the feeling of excess tiredness, which might indicate coronary artery disease. It is because, when the heart finds it difficult to pump enough blood into the body, muscles, and organs get left with a low percentage of oxygen which leads to fatigue. In many instances, the symptoms tend to be discreetly apparent though indicate more serious heart conditions.
A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked, cutting off blood flow to part of the heart muscle. This causes severe chest pain that may spread to the arm, neck, or back, and is often accompanied by nausea, sweating, and shortness of breath. A heart attack requires immediate medical attention.
Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing CAD:
These coronary artery disease risk factors can be managed with lifestyle changes and Ayurvedic interventions to improve heart health.
Ayurvedic treatment helps detoxify, manage flow, and regain a balance of the doshas. This reduces the width of the atherosclerosis in the affected areas, manages the symptoms involved, and eliminates further accumulation of plaques.
Ayurveda makes use of many herbs to treat and manage CAD.
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): Arjuna is an established ayurvedic herb that holds the efficacy of powerful cardio-protective properties. It helps to power the heart muscles and enhances blood flow so that the heart can pump it efficiently. Furthermore, Arjuna lowers cholesterol levels thereby stopping the onset of plaque in arteries that are likely to be one of the prime causes for the development of CAD.
Guggul (Commiphora mukul): This is an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces cholesterol activity. The product dissolves plaque, which are fatty deposits inside the arteries and is very effective for the treatment of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. It also helps keep the body's blood lipid in a healthy balance to avoid further blockage of the arterial wall.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Ashwagandha is the most important adaptogen. It reduces stress, which is also a critical risk factor for CAD. It lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation. This herb works by lessening the causes of stress as well as calming down the nervous system.
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): Brahma is known to have anti-anxiety and anti-stress properties. Since stress and mental health form a significant part of cardiological health, Brahma helps in reducing the risk for CAD by causing relaxation and therefore less strain on the heart.
Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa): Punarnava acts as a natural diuretic, helping to reduce fluid retention and improve kidney function, which in turn lowers blood pressure. It also helps the heart pump blood more efficiently by reducing the overall workload on the cardiovascular system.
Virechana (Purgation Therapy): Detox therapy with Virechana is one of the essential detox treatments in Ayurveda which reduces excess Pitta, which can be characterised as heat and inflammation in the body. It removes the toxins and inflammation that prevent arterial plaque and reduces heart disease.
Hridaya Basti (Heart Treatment): Hridaya Basti is the treatment where warm medicated oils are applied to the chest region. It strengthens the heart muscles, improves the rate of circulation, and thus diminishes the pressure on the heart. This helps treat CAD among other conditions since it calms and supports the cardiovascular system.
Abhyanga (Oil Massage): This is a full-body massage using herbal oils that will stimulate the circulatory system to help flush out toxins from the body. This Ayurvedic therapy can bring relaxation, reduce stress, and support overall heart health through good blood flow and reduced inflammation.
Ayurveda emphasises a diet that supports heart health and reduces coronary artery disease risk factors.
Balanced Diet: In Ayurveda, a balanced diet is essential for preventing and managing coronary artery disease. Consuming nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes supports heart health and keeps the arteries clear. This kind of diet also helps maintain an ideal body weight and keeps blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check.
Avoid Processed Foods: Too much-processed food, drenched with unhealthy fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates, can cause all the plaque to start building into your arteries and your cholesterol levels to skyrocket. Therefore, avoiding those foods and keeping them to natural, unprocessed types significantly lessens the risk.
Hydration: Drinking plenty of water aids the body’s natural detoxification processes, ensuring that toxins are flushed out, which in turn supports heart health and helps in managing CAD.
Exercise and Yoga: Regular physical activity, including coronary artery disease exercise routines such as walking, swimming, and yoga, enhances circulation, strengthens the heart, and reduces stress. Specific yoga postures like Matsyasana (Fish Pose) and Pranayama (Breathing exercises) improve blood flow to the heart and reduce stress.
Foods to Include: A heart-healthy Ayurvedic diet includes plenty of leafy greens like spinach and kale, which are rich in antioxidants and fibre. Fruits like pomegranate help reduce cholesterol, while whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa provide sustained energy and prevent plaque buildup. Nuts, seeds, and herbal teas like ginger or tulsi promote overall cardiovascular health.
Foods to Avoid: To prevent further progression of coronary artery disease, it is important to avoid saturated fats, trans fats, fried foods, and excessive salt and sugar. These foods contribute to high cholesterol, inflammation, and arterial blockage, which worsen heart conditions. Instead, the focus should be on fresh, natural, and minimally processed foods to promote long-term heart health.
Yes, Ayurvedic treatments including herbal remedies and Panchakarma therapies can reduce the risk factors for coronary artery disease by detoxifying the body, reducing cholesterol, and improving the flow of blood.
The types of coronary artery disease are obstructive coronary artery disease, non-obstructive coronary artery disease, triple vessel coronary artery disease, and double vessel coronary artery disease, characterised by ICD 10 code I25.10.
Ayurvedic coronary artery disease medications include herbs like Arjuna, Guggul, and Brahmi, which help manage cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart health
Triple vessel coronary artery disease is a blocked or narrowed condition of all three major coronary arteries that usually requires more aggressive treatment such as surgery.
A classic nursing diagnosis for coronary artery disease would involve impaired cardiac tissue perfusion, ineffective health management, and risk for decreased cardiac output.
Coronary artery disease prevention can be achieved through Ayurvedic lifestyle practices like a heart-Ayurvedic lifestyle practices can prevent coronary artery disease, which includes a heart-healthy diet, exercise, stress management through yoga and Pranayama, and detox therapies. diet, regular exercise, stress management through yoga and Pranayama, and detox therapies.
The ICD-10 code for atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary arteries without angina pectoris is I25.10.
Ayurvedic management of coronary artery disease includes herbal therapies like Arjuna, Panchakarma detox treatments, and lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise.
Non-obstructive coronary artery disease occurs when the coronary arteries are narrowed but not blocked. The ICD-10 code for nonobstructive CAD is I25.10.
Diagnostic evaluation of coronary artery disease involves methods like an electrocardiogram (ECG), stress tests, and angiography to determine the severity of artery blockages.
Coronary artery disease classification includes stable angina, unstable angina, obstructive CAD, and non-obstructive CAD.
Coronary artery disease refers to the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart.
Yes, following a coronary artery disease diet plan that includes heart-healthy foods, avoids processed sugars and fats, and incorporates Ayurvedic principles can improve heart health and reduce the risk of further complications.
