Atherosclerosis is a condition where your arteries get blocked by plaque - a sticky mixture in your blood, made of fat, calcium, cholesterol and other substances. This build up gradually hardens over time and narrows the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood out of your heart to other areas of your body.
Blood can not flow through clogged arteries. In this condition, your arteries get so narrow that fewer blood reaches your organs and tissues, and that can cause serious health problems.
The real danger is when a piece of the plaque breaks open. This can form a blood clot on the surface and completely block the blood flow. Depending on the blocked artery, this particular blockage may cause serious issues, and even lead to life-threatening conditions like strokes or heart attacks.
Understanding the causes of Atherosclerosis and taking steps to manage it may prevent these severe complications. Making lifestyle modifications like eating healthy, regularly working out and avoiding smoking can also help control and prevent Atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis doesn't happen overnight; it develops over the years and is impacted by several factors. Understanding what triggers the buildup of plaque in your arteries may help you prevent the same from turning into a life-threatening condition.
The most common causes linked to Atherosclerosis are:
High Cholesterol: Too much cholesterol in the blood can create plaque. LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) is especially problematic as it sticks to the walls of your arteries.
High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can damage the inner walls of the arteries. Eventually, this damage can provide a foothold for plaque to accumulate.
Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains toxins that irritate and damage the linings of the artery walls. This speeds up plaque accumulation and increases the risk of clots.
Diabetes: High blood sugar is associated with a higher rate of Atherosclerosis. Diabetes makes it harder to use insulin and control cholesterol, which can lead to faster plaque buildup.
Unhealthy Diet: Diets containing saturated fats, trans fats and processed sugar may raise cholesterol levels and increase arterial plaque formation.
Lack of Exercise: Regular physical exercise reduces cholesterol, blood pressure and helps maintain a healthy weight, lessening the risk of Atherosclerosis.
Obesity: Carrying additional weight places a strain on your heart and also raises your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, all of which may result in plaque accumulation.
Atherosclerosis is sometimes called a silent killer because it may progress without showing any symptoms or signs until it narrows or blocks an artery entirely. Knowing the symptoms of Atherosclerosis might help with prompt detection and treatment, to prevent serious complications like strokes or heart attacks.
The most noticeable signs and symptoms of Atherosclerosis are:
You may experience pressure or a tightness in your chest during physical work or from stress. This happens when the coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart are affected.
If your heart can not pump enough blood to meet your body’s requirements, you might develop shortness of breath or serious fatigue with exertion.
When the arteries that carry blood to your limbs are blocked, you might experience discomfort or cramping in your muscles when you move. This often eases with rest.
Blocked arteries can keep enough blood from getting to your limbs or other areas of your body, making you weak or numb on one side of your body.
Your brain may experience reduced blood flow, causing confusion or memory problems.
A blocked artery to the brain can also affect speech.
These could be symptoms of a stroke, indicating that blood flow to part of your brain has been cut off.
Decreased blood flow may cause a temperature difference in some areas.
In males, Atherosclerosis could hinder blood flow to the pelvis, affecting sexual performance.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Atherosclerosis using evidence-based Ayurveda. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
HACCP certified Ayurvedic medicines: Scientifically-formulated mixtures that help restore the body’s balance and promote emotional stability.
Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness: These calming practices promote mental health and overall wellbeing.
Ayurvedic Treatments: Therapies like Panchakarma and other therapeutic massages cleanse the body and establish emotional equilibrium.
Dietary & Lifestyle Modifications: Customised advice on diet changes and lifestyle adjustments for optimal health.
Ayurveda offers natural cures which have been used for centuries to preserve heart health and keep plaque from developing in the arteries. Such traditional medicines work on balancing the doshas of the body and cleansing the blood to prevent the risk of Atherosclerosis.
Listed here are the best Ayurvedic herbs for Atherosclerosis management & treatment :
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): Arjuna is a heart-protective herb. Arjuna bark strengthens the heart muscles and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, preventing plaque accumulation.
Guggul (Commiphora mukul): Guggul resin is a lipid lowering agent. It helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, and thus lowers the risk of Atherosclerosis-related heart diseases.
Garlic (Allium sativum): Among its many health advantages, garlic reduces blood pressure and cholesterol, which is essential for preventing Atherosclerosis.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa): The curcumin in turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which prevent artery damage that causes plaque accumulation.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): This adaptogenic herb relieves stress and inflammation, which cause chronic conditions such as Atherosclerosis.
Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa): Found to alleviate symptoms of chest pain and breathing troubles, Pushkarmool is used for its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, particularly in lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
In Ayurveda, Atherosclerosis is considered an imbalance of the doshas (Kapha & Pitta) resulting in accumulation of toxin in the arteries.
Yes, Ayurveda can prevent Atherosclerosis through a diet that balances the doshas and with cleansing herbs that detox the blood and strengthen the heart.
Ayurveda suggests a low fat/high fibre diet combined with herbs like ginger and turmeric to curb plaque buildup.
Ayurvedic recommendations for preventing and controlling Atherosclerosis include regular exercise, stress management through meditation and yoga and avoiding smoking.
Herbs like Guggul, Arjuna and Garlic are suggested for their cholesterol-lowering and artery-protecting properties.
Physical examination, patient history and pulse diagnosis are used to assess dosha imbalances in the body as per Ayurveda.
Stress is a major cause for Atherosclerosis. Ayurveda treats stress with herbal treatments, combined with relaxing techniques like yoga and meditation.
For managing Atherosclerosis, therapies such as Panchakarma and Abhyanga (oil massage) for detoxification are used.
The results of Ayurvedic therapy might take a few weeks to months to show improvements, based on the person's condition and lifestyle.
Ayurvedic treatment assists with managing the symptoms of Atherosclerosis and delaying the disease progression through holistic care.
