Yoga for Heart Attack

Millions of people all over the world get affected by heart attack. Due to the unhealthy lifestyle and diet that most people follow nowadays, this heart disease is on the rise. We all need to find a way to keep a healthier heart. Strict changes made to our diet and lifestyle can help in keeping heart attack at bay.

According to research, it has been found that yoga plays an important role not only in keeping the heart healthy but also in reversing the clogging of arteries. People who practise yoga regularly have a regulated heart beat and good blood circulation. It also helps some patients reduce the level of blood pressure and reduce stress levels. Patients who have suffered from heart attack are known to recover faster by practising yoga.

There are numerous poses and breathing techniques that are considered to improve the working of your heart. These poses aim to improve the circulation of blood to the heart. It not only aids in strengthening the heart muscles but also increases its flexibility which prevents muscle cramping. Yoga increases stamina and helps in getting good sleep.

Here are few yoga asanas that are considered to be good for the heart:

·         Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana)

·         Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

·         Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

·         Locust Pose (Salabhasana)

·         Corpse Pose (Savasana)

·         Tree Pose (Vrukshasana)

·         Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

·         Lotus Pose (Padmasana)

Before practising yoga, do consult your physician regarding which poses are right for you. Make sure that you practise yoga only with the assistance of a trained professional. Along with practising yoga, make a conscious effort to have a healthy diet and lifestyle. 

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WEIGHT REDUCTION - YOGA

According to Ayurveda being overweight is an indication that the vata, kapha and pitta doshas in the body are out of balance. In obese persons, meda(fat) is nourished excessively, while other basic elements get malnourished. Lack of physical exercise, sleeping during daytime, consuming fatty and sweetened food items and the wrong diet and lifestyles, which increase Kapha are the common causes of obesity. Yoga has  a effect, which is permanent in nature for weight reduction. It helps achieve control over mind and behaviour(one can easily control food habits and change life style to reduce the obesity.) Yoga deep breathing helps in increasing the oxygen intake to the fat cells resulting in burning up of fat cells. Another amazing aspect of Yoga is it reduces anxiety, which reduces anxious eating. 
Various Yoga techniques can be practiced effectively to reduce the weight and achieve healthy condition of Body and Mind, they are:
Asanas
Yoga positions or postures are useful to reduce the fats in various parts, especially forward bending, twisting and backward bending asanas help reduce the fats near abdomen, hips and other areas.
Sun salutations
The practice of Sun salutation is a sequence of seven asanas practiced in order, which tones all muscles and internal organs are stretched increasing blood & oxygen supply to these parts. Regular practice of sun salutation with breathing gives good exercise to the lungs. Mantras have relaxing effect on mind.
Pranayama
Pranayama is very important technique in yoga, which is control and extension of Prana or Vital energy/Life force. People suffering from obesity can practice Kapalbhati, Bhasrika & fast breathing.
Agnisar
Fast movement of abdominal muscles in and out, is very good exercise to get rid of the accumulated fats in the abdominal region.

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Heart Attack – Causes

Also known as myocardial infarction, cardiac infarction or coronary thrombosis, heart attack occurs when the heart muscle does not have enough blood supply. This depleted supply of blood is usually due to a blood clot in any of the blood vessels that lead to the coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle).

During a heart attack, the patient may suffer from chest pain and chest pressure sensation. If blood flow is not restored to the heart muscle within a span of 20-40 minutes, the death of the heart muscle will be irreversible. Here are the three major causes of heart attack.

Coronary Artery Disease

Most heart attacks are caused due to coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD refers to the building up of a fatty substance called plaque on the inner walls of the coronary arteries. With increase in plaque, the artery walls thicken while the arteries become narrow. This process is called atherosclerosis. The accumulating plaque can either completely block the coronary artery or can rupture to form a blood clot. These will ultimately amount to a heart attack.

Coronary Microvascular Disease

Coronary microvascular disease (MVD) occurs when rather than the larger coronary arteries, the heart’s microscopic blood vessels are affected. This can be caused by building up of plaque in these tiny arteries, spasms in the arteries or damage to artery walls. Coronary MVD is believed to be more common in women as compared to men.

Coronary Artery Spasm

A coronary artery spasm occurs when a severe spasm or contraction of the muscle occurs in the wall of one of the coronary arteries. This can restrict or block the flow of blood to the heart. This is usually a rare cause of heart attack.

Given below are some of the causative factors of CAD, MVD and Coronary Artery Spasm:

Age – With increase in age, the risk of having a heart attack rises. For men, the age after which they should be careful is 45, while for women it is 55.

Diabetes – Diabetics are more prone to have heart diseases.

Smoking – Regular and heavy smokers run a higher risk of a heart attack compared to non-smokers and those who quit.

Cholesterol level – People with high blood cholesterol levels have a higher risk of developing blood clots in the coronary arteries.

Diet and obesity – Consumption of large quantities of saturated fat and animal fat on a regular basis leads to increase in cholesterol level which in turn leads to a heart attack.

Physical inactivity – A sedentary life without much exercise may lead to various heart problems.

Hypertension – People with high blood pressure are more prone to heart attacks.

Heredity – A person with a strong family history of heart disease is more prone to a heart attack. There is ample evidence to prove that this is true.

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Heart Attack – Ayurvedic Medicines

Heart is the most vital organ of the body that is not only responsible for circulation and pumping of blood to all parts of the body but also controls and monitor our emotions as well. When blood flow gets restricted to a certain section of the heart muscle, it does not receive adequate oxygen and begins to die. This is called a heart attack. The restricted blood flow may be due to a blood clot in the coronary arteries or due to the narrowing down of arteries.

Ayurveda believes in regulating diet and one’s lifestyle in order to keep the heart healthy. Listed here are a few ayurvedic medicines that are effective against heart attack and help in keeping the heart healthy.

Abana

Himalaya Healthcare’s Abana lowers cholesterol levels and thus protects against heart attacks. Some of the ingredients are Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna), Ashvagandha (Withania Somnifera),  Badranj Boya (Nepeta Hindostana), etc.

Dilguard Capsules

Made from natural herbs, Dilguard Capsules strengthen the heart muscles and lower cholesterol levels. It also reduces high blood pressure and cleanses the blood by removing toxins from it. It contains herbs such as Ashwagandha and Brahmi that relaxes the body and reduces stress levels.

Cardocare Capsules

Cardocare Capsules keeps away all kinds of heart ailments such as heart attack, congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, etc. It increases vascular output and improves blood circulation by regulating the oxygen level in the blood. Apart from this, it also increases the count of red blood cells.

Guggul Supplements

Guggul (Commiphora Mukul) is considered to have potent purifying and rejuvenating powers. It is also known to lower blood cholesterol levels. It also acts as a blood detoxifier. Guggul Supplements can be taken as a heart tonic to strengthen the heart.

Garlic Supplements

Vast research has proved the effectiveness of garlic in preventing heart ailments. It lowers the total cholesterol and also the level of bad cholesterol. If taken over a period of time, garlic supplements also have the ability to dissolve accumulated plaque from the coronary arteries.

Terminalia Arjuna Supplements

Arjuna is regarded as one of the best herbs for heart health. Terminalia Arjuna Supplements strengthen the cardiac muscles and improves the heart’s pumping activity. It reduces cholesterol levels and hypertension. 

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10 Do’s and Don’ts in Heart Attack

Heart attack affects millions of people all over the world every year. Unfortunately due to various factors such as unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, etc. the occurrence of this heart disease is increasing daily. But the good news is that heart attack can be kept at bay by making an attempt to keep the heart healthy.

A few key steps for maintaining a healthy heart are given here. Follow these do’s and don’ts and keep away heart attack:

1.    Do Eat Healthy

One of the biggest risk factors is an unhealthy diet. Try avoiding fatty foods and food that is rich in cholesterol. Consume lots of green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits, fibre, lean protein and plenty of water.

2.    Do Exercise Regularly

A heavier body puts more strain on the heart. Exercising regularly helps to lose weight and strengthens the heart muscles.  Exercising also helps in lowering blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels and helps in relieving stress.

3.    Do Take Aspiring Regularly

Aspirin is a natural blood thinner that is obtained from the bark of the white willow tree. As it thins the blood, it prevents the arteries from getting blocked and thus prevents heart attack. Ask your doctor before taking aspirin as it might not be safe for everyone.

4.    Do Reduce Intake of Salt

Reducing salt intake can reduce the risk of heart attack as salt contributes to rise in blood pressure level. Apart from this, it also boosts the effects of blood pressure lowering agents and reduces complications that are associated with diabetes, obesity, etc.

5.    Do Control Blood Pressure Level

People with high blood pressure are more prone to get a heart attack. This is because high blood pressure puts more force against the artery walls which damage the arteries. This leads to the narrowing of the arteries which ultimately leads to coronary artery disease.

6.    Do Reduce Cholesterol Level

Increased level of cholesterol in the blood leads to the accumulation of cholesterol on the artery walls. Due to this, the arteries become narrow and the blood does not flow properly to the heart muscle. This might culminate into a heart attack.

7.    Do Get a Good Sleep

According to a study, there is a plausible link between sleep duration and risk of heart attack. It is believed that people who sleep for less than seven and a half hours a night may be at a greater risk. So make sure than you get a good night’s sleep.

8.    Don’t Smoke

Smoking on a regular basis increases fatty deposits in the arteries and thus narrows and hardens the arteries. Try reducing number of cigarettes per day or if possible, quit smoking for good.

9.    Don’t Consume Alcohol

Consuming alcohol regularly makes you put on weight which in turn is harmful for the heart. Try to reduce the consumption of alcohol for a healthy heart.

10. Don’t Take Stress

When under excess stress, the body tends to release chemicals that cause blood pressure and the heart rate to increase. It also begins a set of actions in the body that lead to plaque formation. It is thus advised to reduce stress by stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, laughing, swimming, massage, etc.

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