According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, 919,032 people died from cardiovascular disease and every year, about 805,000 people in the United States have a heart attack. That means cardiovascular diseases are causing more deaths than accidents and other serious diseases. While allopathic medicines are effective to treat heart diseases in an emergency, Ayurveda is an everyday practice to keep your heart healthy. Some natural suggestions are mentioned here to take care of your heart in your day-to-day life. Try to follow a couple of tips routinely for having a naturally healthy lifestyle.

A strong and healthy heart is essential for overall well-being. With rising stress levels, unhealthy eating habits, and sedentary lifestyles, heart health has become a major concern. To keep your heart healthy with Ayurveda, you must take a holistic approach that includes diet, lifestyle, herbs, and stress management tailored to your individual constitution (dosha). Ayurveda focuses on balancing the body, mind, and spirit which in turn strengthen the heart naturally. Ayurveda views the heart as a center of both physical and emotional well-being, where imbalances in the body's three governing energies can lead to heart problems.

Understanding Heart Health in Ayurveda

Hridaya/heart is considered as the seat of life (Pranayatana) and emotions. It is influenced by Vyanavayu, a sub-division of the air dosha. Imbalances in the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), particularly Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earth and water), can lead to heart-related issues, with Pitta often associated with inflammation and hypertension, and Kapha with sluggishness and high cholesterol. Heart Care in Ayurveda focuses on balancing these doshas through diet, lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies.

Ayurvedic approaches to heart health involve lifestyle changes like a balanced diet and regular exercise, the use of heart-healthy herbs such as amla and turmeric, stress management, and practices like meditation and Panchakarma detoxification to cleanse the body and restore balance. In the energetic rhythm of life, our heart stand as a committed guardian of our well-being. Ayurveda, therefore presents a holistic approach for maintaining a healthy heart and suggests a set of principles and the time-tested practices that nourish our hearts and promote overall well-being and integrating them into our daily lives will help us to have a better heart health.

Understanding Heart Health in Ayurveda:

In Ayurveda, the heart is not just a mechanical pump but an important organ affected by the delicate balance of vata, pitta and kapha doshas. Ayurveda considers the heart as the seat of consciousness and emotions, emphasizing the mind-heart connection. Achieving the wellness of hearts involves balancing these doshas through mindful living and balanced practices.

Maintaining a positive emotional state is essential for heart health because heart is not a physical organ but a seat of emotions. Since emotions are closely linked to physical health, maintaining emotional well-being is crucial for heart health. Therefore, having feelings of gratitude, positive thinking, joy and peace are important for maintaining heart health.  Ayurveda places emphasis on a diet, rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with healthy fats, physical activity, herbal supplements, and stress management techniques. These practices can help strengthen the heart and maintain overall health and well-being.

Age is no more a bar to contract heart disorders. On the contrary, many in their twenties are victims of heart attacks. Is it because of unhealthy diet that comprise no nutrition, increasing amount of emotional stress in our lives, and irregular daily routines and unhealthy lifestyles are key contributors to cardiovascular issues.

To maintain a good heart health, one can pledge to healthier lifestyles including

·      Healthy diet that includes leafy greens, whole grains, and heart-boosting spices like turmeric help maintain balance, nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, helping to reduce inflammation and support overall heart health.

• Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activities is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart. They include brisk walking for 30 minutes for at least 5 days in a week, running, swimming, cycling, dancing, and stair climbing, push-ups, squats, pull-ups, weight lifting, and resistance band exercises. 
• Meditation & Yoga: Key yoga poses like Mountain Pose, Warrior Pose, and Bridge Pose can be beneficial, while practices like slow breathing and focusing on the present moment in meditation help manage stress.
• Detoxification: Panchakarma, an Ayurvedic cleansing therapy, can be used to remove toxins from the body. 

Healthy lifestyles like wholesome foods, brisk walking, light stretches, and slow, deep breathing to promote a calming effect on the mind and body, no smoking, low alcohol consumption, regular sleep and wake schedule could make you and your heart feel great!

Ayurvedic Approach to keep your heart healthy:

In Ayurveda, the heart where all the energy is stored. Hence, healthy lifestyle practices improve cardiovascular health by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and enhancing baroreceptor sensitivity. A healthy lifestyle is a journey, not a destination. It is important to make gradual changes and find habits that work for you. Consistency is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and improving overall well-being

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