INTRODUCTION
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which there occurs hardening of arteries due to accumulation of plaque inside the walls of arteries. Plaque consists of fats, cholesterol, calcium and certain other substances. This leads to narrowing of blood vessels and ultimately their blockage. Sometimes this plaque gets broken down leading to formation of blood clot. It is a slow process due to which the symptoms are not noticeable in the early stages. The arteries get hardened and stiff and there reaches less blood to the organs and tissues.
The blood flows with great speed through the narrowed arteries leading to increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack. It can often lead to heart problems but it can affect arteries of any part of body.
With nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle, the condition can be managed and further prevented. There are several oral medications which are beneficial in this condition. However, surgery is the last option.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
There has not been found any exact cause of atherosclerosis. But following are the reasons which can be responsible for it:
- Increased levels of cholesterol in blood
- High levels of triglycerides
- High blood pressure
- Suffering from diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Tobacco chewing
- Any inflammatory condition in body such as lupus, psoriasis, arthritis, etc
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
Some factors make a person more prone to atherosclerosis. Following are the risk factors of atherosclerosis:
- Having a family history of atherosclerosis
- Increasing age
- Lack of physical exercise
- Being obese
- Eating oily and junk food
- Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
- Sleep apnea
- Metabolic syndrome
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
The common signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis are:
- Pain in chest
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in chest
- Heart palpitations
- Pain in back, shoulders, arms or neck
- Dizziness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling tired
- Indigestion
- Abdominal bloating
- Diarrhea
- Burning pain in feet
- Changes in skin color
- High blood pressure
- Sweating
- Swelling in body
- Headache
- Changes in color of urine
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
- Numbness in arms and legs
- Kidney failure
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ATHEROSCLEROSIS?
Complications of atherosclerosis depend on the part of body in which arteries get narrowed or blocked. Following are the several complications which are associated with atherosclerosis:
- Coronary artery disease
- Peripheral artery disease
- Aneurysm
- Carotid artery disease
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
HOW ATHEROSCLEROSIS CAN BE PREVENTED?
With some of the precautionary steps, atherosclerosis can be managed and prevented. Following are the preventive measures of atherosclerosis:
- Eating healthy food
- Doing regular physical exercise
- Maintaining healthy weight
- Say no to smoking
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Yoga
- Meditation
HOW THE DIAGNOSIS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IS DONE?
The doctor will do a proper physical examination of the patient. He will ask about the signs and symptoms of the disease to the patient. He will ask about the family history of the patient. He will recommend some of the following tests to the patient:
- Blood tests
- ECG
- Exercise stress test
- Doppler ultrasound
- Angiogram
- Cardiac catheterization
- Coronary calcium scan
- PET scan
CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE’S MEDICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Here are some of the medications of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment of atherosclerosis:
1. Garlic Capsule
This is an ayurvedic preparation which contains pure garlic extract (Allium sativum). The capsule helps in the reduction of deposition of dangerous cholesterol on the artery wall and helps in the prevention of heart diseases.
Recommended Dosage- Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.
2. Active Plus Tablet
Active plus Tablet is a pure herbo-mineral formulation prepared from best quality of herbs. This tablet is best for person mental and physical health, also helps to boost up the immunity. The herbal ingredients present in these tablets are used to maintain person’s health and refreshes the mind and body. These tablets improves digestion, eliminates constipation, stress, nourishes brain, acts as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.
3. Detox Premium Powder
This ayurvedic formulation contains Moti pishti, Prawal pishti, Shukta pishti, Giloy satv, Kamdudha rasa, Jahar mohra, Akik pishti, Gandhak rasayan, Tal sindoor, Sudhyog tab, Shwet parpati, Yavakshaar, etc. This helps in clearing the body toxins, improves digestion, reduces stress and anxiety, act as an anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.
4. Trikatu Syrup
Trikatu syrup is best in pacifying Vata and Kapha dosha, and improves respiratory functions, helps in digestion, removes impurities from the body, reduces risk of atherosclerosis, and treats skin infections. This syrup is a mixture of Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Long pepper (Piper longum), which acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 tablespoonful twice daily.
5. Cholesterol Care tablet
Cholesterol care is pure herbo- mineral ayurvedic medicine which help to maintain healthy range of cholesterol levels. Its main function is to strengthen heart, have check on hypertension & rejuvenates the heart by regulating heart and control cholesterol level.
Recommended Dosage– Take 1 tablet twice daily.
6. Herbal tea
Herbal tea relieves stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, reduces infections, rejuvenates tissues, cures cough and cold, and removes impurities from the body. It is an ayurvedic preparation that consists of Arjun chal (Terminalia arjuna),Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tamala), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra),Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Nagarmotha (Cyperus cariosus), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Kulanjan (Alpinia galanga), etc. The ingredients help in maintaining the blood circulation in the whole body.
Recommended Dosage-Take 2 cups of herbal tea twice daily