Introduction: The Unseen Burden on the Indian Heart
Heart is the one of the most important human organs which works constantly throughout the whole day. However, in day-to-day life, it doesn’t get the required level of attention and care. When it is affected, it is one of the first ones to signal a problem. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a very significant health issue which also poses a economic challenge in India. It is not visible to the naked eyes due to the absence of clear symptoms while it continues to become a silent epidemic. As per the factual information, the CVD has been found to be accountable for nearly 31% of the total deaths in India [1]. Also, the burden of the cardiovascular has been found to be increasing significantly in age specific mortality rates. The data shows that the burden of this disease is increasing continuously. As per the evidence, there could be 91.2 % of increase in the age specific cardiovascular mortality rate between 2025 to 2050[2]. This occurrence is not only because of the generic factors but also because of the factors which result in the modern exhausting urban lifestyle. This includes factors like unhealthy eating habits and stress over long term.
Heart is the one of the most important human organs which works constantly throughout the whole day. However, in day-to-day life, it doesn’t get the required level of attention and care. When it is affected, it is one of the first ones to signal a problem. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a very significant health issue which also poses a economic challenge in India. It is not visible to the naked eyes due to the absence of clear symptoms while it continues to become a silent epidemic. As per the factual information, the CVD has been found to be accountable for nearly 31% of the total deaths in India [1]. Also, the burden of the cardiovascular has been found to be increasing significantly in age specific mortality rates. The data shows that the burden of this disease is increasing continuously. As per the evidence, there could be 91.2 % of increase in the age specific cardiovascular mortality rate between 2025 to 2050[2]. This occurrence is not only because of the generic factors but also because of the factors which result in the modern exhausting urban lifestyle. This includes factors like unhealthy eating habits and stress over long term.
The Modern Heart’s Greatest Enemy: Chronic Stress
People often associate heart disease with unhealthy cholesterol and high blood pressure, yet it's a chronic stress that might be a secret weapon wounding the heart of a modern person. The state of continuous stress triggers the brain response of "fight or flight" that leads to the release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn results in:
1 Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Over time, this strains the arterial walls.
2 Inflammation: Stress triggers systemic inflammation, a key driver of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
3 Poor lifestyle choices: Often, stress causes people to overeat emotionally, not exercise, get insufficient sleep, etc., thus creating a vicious cycle that damages the heart.
Ayurveda very explicitly accepts the relationship between mind and body. It views the heart not just as a physical organ (Hridaya), but also as the seat of consciousness (Chetana) which is strongly influenced by the mental and emotional states of a person. Therefore, in addition to physical activity and food, it is equally important to control the emotions and reduce stress for a healthy heart.
Ayurveda’s Three Pillars of Cardio Protective Health
Ayurveda addresses heart health through a multi-pronged strategy that targets the root causes of imbalance, rather than just the symptoms.
Pillar 1: Arterial Strength and Circulation (Rakta Dhatu)
The state of the vessels and the quality of the blood (Rakta Dhatu) are the primary factors that influence the condition of the heart. Ayurvedic herbs have been greatly recognized for their role in assisting arteries to stay flexible and thus allow blood to flow easily.
In particular, the bark of the Arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna) is probably the most recognized Ayurvedic herb for the heart. It was the cardiac stimulant, and tonic, for several years. Modern research confirms the traditional use of Arjuna, showing that besides Arjuna bark extract reduces the levels of total cholesterol, low, density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides, it also increases the heart's capability to pump blood [3]. It is somewhat like a natural armour, fortifying the heart muscle and at the same time aiding in maintaining blood pressure at a normal level.
