Heart health is a crucial aspect of overall well -being that impacts individual of all ages. Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can prevent heart disease and lower your risk for a heart attack. Ayurveda holds the heart, or Hridaya, in high regard, viewing it as the epicenter of our emotional and energetic existence.
Why have heart attack becomes prevalent in young people?
Sedentary Lifestyle: Many young adults spend long hours sitting at desks, watching screens, or avoiding physical activity. Lack of exercise weakens the heart and leads to weight gain, high blood pressure, and poor circulation.
Unhealthy Diet Choices: Fast food, processed snacks, and sugar-laden beverages are common dietary staples, leading to high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes—major contributors to heart disease.
Chronic Stress and Mental Health Issues: The pressures of career growth, financial struggles, and personal challenges can lead to chronic stress, which negatively affects heart health. Stress triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, which, over time, contribute to high blood pressure and inflammation.
Genetic Predisposition: A family history of heart disease increases the likelihood of experiencing a heart attack at a young age.
Smoking cigarettes and vaping are major risk factors for a heart attack
Heart attack in the gym- A growing concern
A heart attack during exercise can result from various factors. Underlying heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. A cardiac angiogram coronary is to detect these symptoms at the early stage. Plaque buildup in the arteries may rupture during strenuous activity, causing a blood clot that can block the flow of blood to the heart. Additionally, engaging in intense physical exertion without proper conditioning or pushing beyond one’s physical limits can contribute to the risk.
Untimely deaths of young actors like Sidharth Shukla, Siddhanth Vir Surryavanshi, Amit Mistry sent a wave of shock around the entire country. “They were so fit!” many people said then.
These actors, all in their prime, were regularly hitting the gyms, working out, had good and clean diets and were always passionate about their work. Fitness is the condition of the body where the mental and physical health is sound. It includes body composition, and biological functions and not just appearances.
Things we need to include whenever we think or talk about fitness
Sleep deprivation is common these days. Nobody cares to give the body the amount of rest it needs. Less sleep might not make you feel lethargic in the beginning but it is sure that depriving the body of sleep you are throwing it towards serious damage.
Diet
Here are two sides of an imbalanced diet pattern: one is not consuming the right amount of nutrition and filling the stomach just to suppress the appetite; the second one is putting the body through different kinds of diets, without consulting any physician beforehand. Now a days the fast-food delivery system fills the gap of buying groceries and cooking. Huge dependency on processed foods is the reason why our body does not get sufficient nutrients.
Fitness
Fitness does not mean just going on and on with your gym sessions. Fitness means to give the body the right kind of training, not overtrain it. Every workout session ideally has a resting period. This gives the muscles of the body to rest and heal properly before starting the next round of workouts. Not giving the body enough rest and exerting it again and again is detrimental to health.
Other health conditions
The whole idea of fitness is to ensure an overall healthy body and mind, but without ignoring the other health conditions. For example, after you recover from a severe infection it is medically recommended to rest properly before doing any heavy work.
Ayurvedic principles for the heart health
Ayurveda perceives heart disease, or Hridroga, as an expression of imbalances within the three doshas. Each dosha corresponds to specific qualities and functions in the body, and disturbances in these energies can lead to distinct manifestations of heart conditions.
Vata Imbalance: Characterised by qualities of dryness and irregularity, Vata disturbances can lead to anxiety, palpitations, and irregular heart rhythms.
Pitta Imbalance: With its fiery qualities, Pitta imbalances are often linked to inflammation, high blood pressure, and intense emotions such as anger and irritability. The heat generated by Pitta can result in cardiovascular strain, making emotional regulation a crucial aspect of heart health.
Kapha Imbalance: This dosha, associated with heaviness and stability, can lead to congestion, sluggish circulation, and the accumulation of cholesterol. The tendency towards inertia and lethargy in Kapha types necessitates active measures to invigorate the heart and promote circulation.
The Ayurvedic Approach to Caring for the Heart
A balanced diet:
Diet tailored to balance the doshas is essential. For instance, incorporating foods that pacify Pitta, like cooling herbs and whole grains, can reduce inflammation, while light and invigorating foods can address Kapha imbalances.
Lifestyle Modifications:
Establishing a daily routine that includes time for self-care, stress management, and physical activity can significantly impact heart health. Practices like yoga and meditation foster emotional resilience and enhance circulation.
Herbal Treatments:
Hridya Mahakashaya drugs, described in the Charak Samhita, is a group of ten cardiotonic medicines, this group includes fruits like amra (mango), Amratak (hog plum), Lakuch (Artocarpus lacucha, karmard (carissa carandas), vrikshamla (Garcinia indica), amlavetsa (garcinia pedunculata), kuval (ziziphus), badar (jujube), dadim(pomegranate), and matulunga (citrus medica). These ingredients are rich in Vitamin C and possess amla (sour) taste, contributing to their cardio-tonic, antioxidant, and vata, pita and kapha balancing effects.
Pranayama:
Working with the breath through the practice of pranayama is a powerful way to access and reset longstanding patterns in the energetic body. Pranayama restores fluidity and vitality to the subtle energy channels of the body, releases accumulated tension, and offers deep support to the nervous system.
Preventive Measures for Heart Attack
Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, excess sugar, and trans fats.
Moderate Exercise: To improve cardiovascular health, engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming, five times a week.
Get Routine Medical Check-Ups: Regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes can help detect and address risk factors before they lead to a heart attack.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: A balanced diet combined with regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and prevents related health problems.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake
