Cardiac Problems

Ischaemic or ischemic heart disease (IHD),is a disease characterized by ischaemia (reduced blood supply) of the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries).

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.

Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol (ko-LES-ter-ol), calcium, and other substances found in the blood. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis).

Alternative Names

IHD is also called Myocardial ischaemia and CAD is called coronary Heart disease

Symptoms

Ischaemic heart disease may be present with any of the following problems:

• Angina pectoris (chest pain on exertion, in cold weather or emotional situations)

• Acute chest pain: acute coronary syndrome, unstable angina or myocardial infarction ("heart attack", severe chest pain unrelieved by rest associated with evidence of acute heart damage)

• Heart failure (difficulty in breathing or swelling of the extremities due to weakness of the heart muscle)

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Weakness

Causes

The risks increases with age, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), diabetes, and hypertension (high blood pressure), and is more common in men and those who have close relatives with ischaemic heart disease.

Yogic Therapy - A Robust Cure

Medical Yoga Therapy addresses all these problems in this sequence:

• The sequence relieves the pressure from the thoracic organs, particularly heart, resulting into reduced pressure on cardiac muscles, which further results into optimum functioning of heart and helps in strengthening the ailing cardiac muscles.

• The sequence improves collateral blood circulation to the ischemic (oxygen deprived) area, resulting in rejuvenation of muscles and can improve left ventricular ejection fraction (L.V.E.F)

• This sequence improves oxygen intake capacity resulting into better oxygen flow to the heart.

• This sequence removes stress from the mind that results into reduced secretion of angiotension hormones resulting into veso-dilation (increased diameter) of blood vessels.

• Stress management achieved through the sequence addresses lack of sleep and helps in pain relief.

• Sequence of Asanas

Sequence of Asanas

A special sequence comprising of asanas like Suptaveera Asana, Suptabaddhakon Asana, Viparita Danda Asana, Rope Jacket, Viparita Karni followed by Shava Asana is designed. Props are appropriately used to make the 'Saadhaka' comfortable and gain from the posture. The asanas are aimed at opening the 'Heart Chakra', increasing blood flow to the heart and strengthening the area to cure the ailment.

As patients suffer from pain and restricted motion, the asanas and therapies are done differently with use of props and belts to ease the poses and provide maximum benefit to the patients. These therapies should only be performed under an expert guidance to avoid any complications.