Heart… The surprising organ that functions day and night to keep you alive. Studies show that though women are seen as the ones with ‘kind heart’, their heart suffers a lot. They are the ones who has the highest risk of Cardiovascular disorders. On this World Heart Day, let us investigate why the hearts of the women suffers a lot.
Heart disease is considered as the primary cause of mortality among the female population worldwide. Many just focus on menopause as the prime culprit. But the there is another stage in the life of a woman, where she has to undergo a number of changes in her body, which is pregnancy. Pregnancy is currently recognized as a unique “stress test” for the heart. This makes pregnancy a phase of acute concern. It is also a vital window of opportunity for preventive healthcare.
Considering the physiological changes of pregnancy, there are a number of haemodynamic changes that can happen in a human body. The blood volume increases compared to normal (30–50%). There is also a rise in cardiac output (30–50%) and a fall in systemic vascular resistance. In most of the women, all these changes are adapted by their body eventually. But in a few ones, these pose as a threat to the future.
There are certain diseases that every pregnant women fears that falls under the category of Hyper tensive disorders in pregnancy. Conditions such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia can also be seen as markers of future disease. Women who was having pre-eclampsia during the pregnancy, are at a higher risk of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and stroke later in life. The endothelial dysfunction and vascular damage triggered during pregnancy often persist, highlighting the need for long-term follow-up.
Another condition that prevails in a pregnant woman is Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Though one might not see it as a disorder related to the heart, those women are likely to develop Cardiovascular diseases within 5-10 years of post-partum. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus has a deep association with insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome which are considered as the major risk factors for heart diseases.
During the late pregnancy month, or soon after the delivery, Peripartum Cardiomyopathy can attack the lady which is a serious condition of Heart failure. It is seen in multiparous women, those with advanced maternal age, and also in females already having hypertension.
There are hormonal and vascular changes taking place in a pregnancy. Hence it is a pro-thrombotic state. This makes them more susceptible to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which can act as a threat to the heart.
Moreover, adverse pregnancy outcomes, like pre-term birth, low-birth weight and still-birth act as a risk factor of Cardiovascular diseases in later stages.
As all the diseases demand, ‘Prevention is better than cure’, the protection of heart too should be started in the earlier stages of pregnancy. Mild Yogasanas can be done in the pregnancy under the proper guidance of a certified Yoga Instructor. You might have seen the photos of Alia Bhatt doing Yogasanas in the pregnancy. Yoga is not restricted for celebrities. You can can do the same too, but only with proper instructor. It may help improve cardiovascular resilience by optimizing circulation and reducing stress.
Ayurveda has a wide range of options to protect the heart. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) may help reduce stress-related triggers of hypertension which can reduce the risks of Cardiovascular diseases in future. Brahmi swarasa (fresh extract) can be taken 1 tsp along with a pinch of sugar early in the morning in empty stomach. Shankhapushpi can be made into ‘blue tea’ which can be served in the evenings. Cardioprotective herbs such as Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) are mentioned in Charaka Samhita under the heading of hridroga. It’s kashaya (astringent) and stambhana (hemostatic) properties contribute for the integrity of vascular structures. Diet also plays a crucial role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In that, especially a pregnant lady must control the intake of salt. She can also include yava (barley), mudga (green gram), and ghee in small quantities for balancing Vata and Pitta. Those can be made as vegetable pulav and taken in small quantities as an evening snack. She should also avoid excess sweet, sour, and heavy foods. Incorporation of tikta rasa (bitter-tasting foods like neem leaves in minimal quantities, methi seeds, karela (‘bitter guard’) are needed to balance Kapha and regulate metabolism. Bitter guard can be cooked along with grated coconut to make it more palatable for the pregnant woman.
Sutika paricharya is another regimen that must be exclusively followed after the delivery. Taking adequate rest, gradual mobilization, and intake of medications under the guidance of an ayurveda doctor is very important. Other procedures like abhyanga (oil massage) can be done to enhance circulation.Herbs like Lasuna (Garlic) and Guggulu have rakta shodhana (blood purifying) and srotoshodhaka (channel-clearing) effects, which may reduce the risk of slot formation. Lasuna lehya is recommended by most of the doctors in this period. Anulom Vilom pranayama and mild stretching during this time period promote healthy vascular tone and circulation.Ayurveda also focuses on Samsarjana Krama (stepwise restoration of digestion and metabolism) after delivery to correct Agni and prevent long-term metabolic disorders.Periodic panchakarma (detoxification therapies) post-lactation, such as Virechana (therapeutic purgation), may reduce accumulated Pitta and metabolic stress linked to cardiovascular disorders.Rasayana therapy can be carried out after delivery, soon after the post-partum care to restore depleted dhatus and improve cardiac tissue repair. Some physicians might also prescribe Triphala guggulu to support myocardial strength.
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey. It is not just a temporary change in the physiological state of the mother, but also an important determinant of women’s lifelong cardiovascular health. Ayurveda, by modifying one’s diet, lifestyle, and by introducing safe herbal interventions, helps in the prevention, balance, and restoration of the complete health of the woman. For women, the months of pregnancy and the years that follow represent both a challenge and an opportunity — a chance to protect the heart naturally and comprehensively.
