Ayurvedic Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
About Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is characterized with irregular and rapid beating of atria. It’s a kind of supraventricular tachycardia. It is a condition in which the heart rhythm becomes abnormal. It starts with brief episodes of irregular beat, and then over time, the irregular beat becomes longer and constant. This is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. Here the heart rate may increase to 100 to 200 beats per minute.
In a normal heart, the electrical impulses are generated by the SA node (sinoatrial node). This is propagated to the myocardium. Once the myocardium is stimulated, it contracts. This allows the heart to pump out the blood efficiently. In atrial fibrillation patients, the normal electrical impulses from the SA node is interrupted and corrupted by the disorganized impulses originating in the roots of pulmonary veins. This leads to abnormal heart beats.
Atrial fibrillation can be:
- Occasional – Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: symptoms will be in ‘come and go’ fashion. Lasting for few minutes to hours.
- Persistent – Rhythm will not become normal on its own but can be reversed with medication and therapy.
- Long standing persistent – Continuous and lasts for more than 12 months.
- Permanent – Rhythm can’t be restored. Treatment to increase the quality of life is recommended.
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
Mostly certain cardiovascular conditions are the reasons behind atrial fibrillation. Excessive alcohol consumption:
- Tobacco smoking
- Obesity
- Long term endurance exercises like marathon running or long distance bicycling especially in middle aged and elderly people.
- High blood pressure
- Coronary heart disease
- Mitral stenosis due to rheumatic heart disease or mitral valve prolapsed
- Left atrial enlargement
- Previous heart surgery
- Lung diseases like pneumonia, lung cancer, COPD etc.
- Diabetes mellitus
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Viral infections
- Sleep apnea
- Genetic associations
Signs & Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
Often the onset episodes are asymptomatic. Later as the disease progresses the symptoms become more vivid. Symptoms include:
- Rapid heart rate
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath (while lying flat or sudden onset during night)
- Light headedness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Increased risk for heart failure, dementia and stroke
- Swelling in lower extremities
- Respiratory distress due to congestion of lungs
Atrial Fibrillation – Ayurvedic View
Ayurveda mentions a lot on Hrdroga. Queries on atrial fibrillation are dealt under hrdroga. Vata dominant tridosha dushti paves the way for atrial fibrillation. Treatment modalities and medicines are aimed to reduce the symptoms and increase the health of heart.
The Goodnews!?
The good news is that Atrial Fibrillation is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.
Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.
If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Atrial Fibrillation yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other heart related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Atrial Fibrillation is what you are having or any other related disease.
Vine-Health Approach to Atrial Fibrillation
As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted with our doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Atrial Fibrillation is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.
Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.
We can really help you out of the issue!
Contact us for your accurate diagnosis or for any issues