Ayurvedic Remedies For Angina Pectoris

Angina Pectoris

Angina pectoris is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when a part of your heart doesn't get enough blood and oxygen. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. The features of angina are often described as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or pain in your chest. It is sometimes called ischemic chest pain. It is a symptom of heart disease that occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscles is restricted. Plaques are fatty substances that build up in the arteries, causing them to become hard and narrow, thus restricting the blood supply to the heart and triggering the symptoms of angina. Angina attacks are triggered by physical activity or stress and typically only last for a few minutes. Angina is more common in older adults, affecting men more than women.


In Ayurveda, angina pectoris is termed "Hritshoola." The meaning of Hrits is the heart, and Shoola means thorn. So angina pectoris means "a thorn-like pain in the heart". It is happening due to aggravated Kapha dosha. Kapha controls the weight and formation of seven tissues: fluid, blood, fat, muscles, bones, marrow, and reproductive tissues. In angina, ama accumulates in the Hirdayvahi channels and causes blockage. Due to the blockage of heart channels, Vata dosha is aggravated. Vata symbolizes the air or wind of the external environment. It is dry, mobile, and cool, and it causes pain in the heart.

Our Doctors
Online Consultation

Dr. Vivekraj R

Schedule Online Consultation

Dr. Sinu Raj

Schedule Online Consultation

Dr. Indu Nair

Schedule Online Consultation

Dr. Sreelakshmi Ravi

Schedule Online Consultation

Symptoms Of Angina Pectoris

Symptoms of Angina Pectoris include:

• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain in your arms, neck, jaw, and shoulders.
• Shortness of breath.
• Dizziness.
• Sweating.
• Fatigue.
• Nausea.
• Anxiety.

Causes Of Angina Pectoris

• Unhealthy diet.
• Smoking.
• Intake of alcohol.
• Family history.
• Age.
• High blood pressure.
• Lack of exercise.
• Obesity.
• Stressful life.

Types Of Angina Pectoris

There are two main types of angina: they are as follows:

• Stable angina

  The attacks occur due to obvious triggers (such as exercise) and improve with medication and rest. Such a condition is known as "stable angina." 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

  While in unstable angina, the attacks are unpredictable, occurring with no obvious trigger and continuing despite resting.

There are two main types of angina. Stable angina and unstable angina.

Ayurvedic Management For Angina

Ayurveda suggests a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes and herbs that may be beneficial for the management of Hritshula or Angina.

Diet Recommendations (Aahar)

• Include vegetables like spinach, onion, red or green pepper, ridged and bitter gourds, and whole grains like whole wheat, whole rice, barley, corn, rye, oats, and millet in your diet.
• Include carbohydrates in your diet. It is beneficial for heart disorders.
• Avoid fatty and fried foods, milk products such as clarified butter and cheese, full-cream milk, oils, junk foods, etc.
• Avoid salt in your diet.
• Include fermented milk products like yogurt and curds in the diet.
• Use vegetable oils like mustard, sunflower, olive, groundnut, and rapeseed oils for cooking.
• Avoid red meats such as mutton, beef, and pork.
• Poultry and fish are very good to consume. Fishes with high body oil content must be preferred. Avoid canned fish.

Lifestyle Changes (Vihar)

Lifestyle changes include:

• Being physically active.
• Avoid smoking.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Keeping your blood cholesterol and blood pressure at healthy levels is key.
• Avoid physical and mental exertion and stress.
• Mild exercise, such as walking, can be done.
• Meditation and yogic practices like Savasana help restore tranquility, peace and manage stress.
• Breathing exercises like pranayama should be practiced.

Home Remedies For Angina

Some of the home remedies that are beneficial for the treatment of Angina are:

• Drinking plenty of water per day detoxifies your body.
• Lemon is the best home remedy to treat Angina. Try to include lemon in your diet to avoid the accumulation of fat and cholesterol in your body.
• Fenugreek may help regulate cholesterol levels and improve blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of developing heart conditions and improve heart health. Soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds overnight and consume them the next morning.
• Garlic is an excellent way to deal with chest pain. Add a teaspoon of garlic juice to a cup of warm water. Mix it well and consume it every day. You can also chew on one or two garlic cloves every morning.
• Aloe vera helps to strengthen your cardiovascular system, regulate your good cholesterol, lower your triglyceride levels, and also reduce blood pressure. It also helps relieve chest pain.
• Chew basil leaves in the morning to cure Angina.
• Onion juice taken in the morning instantly lowers your cholesterol level.

Herbal Remedies For Angina

Single herbs useful in angina pectoris are:

• Arjuna

  Arjuna has a Kapha balancing property. It helps to reduce ama, removes the blockage in heart channels, and calms the aggravated vata. It helps reduce chest pain.

• Jatamansi

  It also calms down the brain and manages anxiety as well as insomnia. It works to optimize the functioning of the heart and regulate the heart rate. It helps prevent alterations in the lipid profile and further benefits the heart.

• Guggulu

  Guggulu helps to reduce the risk of heart disease by regulating cholesterol levels and also improves metabolism by reducing Ama due to its Ushna nature.

• Amla

  The main content in amla is vitamin C, which is very good for your heart health. It strengthens and thickens the arteries in your heart. .

• Haridra

  Haridra, commonly known as Turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties that may remove pain symptoms in the chest.

• Alfalfa

  Alfalfa helps to lower cholesterol and may also have benefits for blood sugar control. .

The Ayurvedic herbs that are used for the treatment of angina pectoris are Arjuna, Jatamansi, Guggulu, Amla, Haridra, and Alfalfa.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned information related to Angina Pectoris is taken from various Ayurvedic resources. Always take the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before starting herbs and herbal medicines for the treatment.