Natural care for heart attack (Myocardial Infarction)

Heart attacks often occur suddenly so it is very important to take good care of your heart. When there is a consistent low blood supply to the heart, the heart muscles become deprived of oxygen & the heart is venerable to heart attacks. The underlined causes of a heart attack can be the low blood pressure, or clogged arteries which render the heart with insufficient blood supply.  A heart attack causes tightness, fullness, and pain over the left side of the chest. Several factors like the unhealthy lifestyle that includes poor diet, lack of exercises, obesity, and stress can lead to heart attack. The accumulated cholesterol plaques in the inner artery wall can also give rise to blood clots that obstruct the blood flow towards heart muscles, and lead to heart attack.  As per the scripts of the ancient medical science of Ayurveda, the blockages caused by the vitiated plasma nutrients (Rasa Dhatu) triggers heart attack (Hridayghata). However, it can be prevented by Ayurvedic lifestyle & some of the very powerful herbs which can dissolve the blockages, while promoting the adequate blood supply to the heart.

Natural solutions to prevent heart attack without surgery

The ancient medical science of Ayurveda has described healthy diet patterns, daily practicing of Pranayama, Yoga along with circulatory channel cleansing herbs (Srotoshodhak) to prevent a heart attack. Such herbs are time-tested natural remedies to prevent heart attacks.  These herbs clear out the blocked channels & also promote the blood flow to the heart that reduces the chances of a heart attack. They also maintain the healthy cholesterol levels in the blood. The natural ingredients of these herbs control the blood pressure to prevent the formation of unhealthy cholesterol plaque. The ingredients present in these herbs nourish the heart with sufficient oxygenated blood supply.

Diet for Heart health

  • Include whole grain like whole grain wheat, oats, porridge, pulses, legumes, and sprouts in your diet.
  • All green leafy vegetable like spinach, lettuce, beans, capsicum, cabbage etc. are good for health.
  • Include fruits like apple, papaya, guava, pear, pomegranate, strawberries in the diet.
  • Include nuts, seeds, and double-toned milk (curd, yogurt, & buttermilk) in the diet.
  • Avoid fried foods, bakery products, carbonated beverages (coke, diet coke, energy drink and squash), sugary foods (jams, glucose, cake, pudding, & cream), preparation of refined flour, corn flour, starchy foods.
  • Avoid saturated fats (butter and refined oil), table salt, & oily/spicy pickles.

Pranayama/Yoga/Exercise for healthy heart

Pranayamas: Sheetali/Anulom Vilom

These pranayamas calm the mind, relieve stress/ anxiety, cleanse and strengthen the heart tissue to reduce the fight and flight responses.

Asana: Shavasanas/Tadasana/Trikonasana/Veerbhadrasna

Yoga and exercises can help to reduce the risk factors responsible for heart attack. These Yoga Asanas lower the blood pressure, bad cholesterol, improve heart rate and blood circulation.

Rehab exercises for Myocardial Infarction

A short exercise session 2-3 times a day is recommended. Start with Low-intensity exercises (3-4MET): Level walking (3mph) and bicycling (6mph) progressing to 4-5 MET’s: Walking (31/2mph), bicycling (8mph), rowing water and ground aerobics.

Precautions

Avoid during unstable angina (chest pain), acute illness or fever, & uncontrolled diabetes. Start only when the patient becomes stable. Do not hold breath in any of the exercises to avoid Valsalva maneuver. Avoid high-intensity exercises (HR should not exceed>180 beats/min). The necessary warm-up and cool down periods are recommended. All these practices should be performed under an expert’s advice.

Heart Attack