Heart Health, an Ayurvedic Perspective.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US and other developed countries. Conditions that proceed cardiovascular disease include High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Smoking/Alcohol, Diabetes/Insulin Resistance, Psychosocial Stress, Environmental Stress, and Genetics.
In Ayurveda, the heart is not only the seat or root of the body - supplying blood, nutrition, and oxygen, but is the seat of the mind, senses, soul, and consciousness in the body. Being the seat of consciousness, all actions arise from the heart, the container, and its contents, consciousness. Thus, we see how the heart influences every cell in the body.
In Ayurveda, the body’s six divisions: Intellect, Sense Organs, Five Sense objects, Mind, and Self are all located in the heart. “This is like the central girder in the beams of a house.” - Charaka Samhita
The heart is the seat of Ojas, the pure essence of life and vitality, without which life would cease to exist. It is also the root of the Rasvaha and Pranavaha srotas. Rasa(nutritive plasm) is the basis of nourishment for every cell in the body and is the foundation of all the other tissues in the body; Prana is the life-giving property carried by the blood. All practices which nourish and enhance the sattvic(purity) qualities in an individual will naturally increase ojas, tissues, and channels in the body and thus heart health.
In Ayurveda, every disease or imbalance of bodily function is correlated to the doshas. This is why a disease may manifest differently in a Vata-type person as opposed to a Kapha-type. It is therefore important to understand your own unique body/mind constitution to understand the best approach and treatment for Heart Disease or any diseased condition. Just as there are different manifestations of heart disease in the different body types, there are also different triggers that manifest these symptoms.
A Vata-type person will be triggered by an irregular lifestyle, anxiety, mental stress, and a vata aggravating diet. These will manifest as Arrhythmia, palpitations, vasoconstriction, vasospasm, or irregular angina.
A Pitta-type will be triggered by chronic emotional stress, and anger, pitta aggravating diet, and lifestyle, and suffer from inflammation, oxidized lipids, thrombosis, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, burning angina atherosclerosis, and acute coronary syndrome.
A Kapha-type will be triggered by kapha aggravating diet and lifestyle, excess diet and inadequate physical activity, depression, and obesity. This will manifest as hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery stenosis(atherosclerotic plaque blockage).
Learning how to approach our unique physiology and mind can help prevent and even reverse heart disease and its risk factors. Consciousness, being the foundation of the heart and of the Self is the basis for all healing. This is why in addition to all Ayurvedic approaches on the physical level, we always must attend to our state of consciousness, where all Being arises. By becoming self-referral in all areas of mind and body we naturally become more in tune with the higher-Self. This gives us natural insight into how our unique body/mind works. Over time these Ayurvedic practices and principles become a normal part of life and become second nature to us as we continue to evolve into higher states of consciousness.
Happy Valentines Day, on this heart-centered day!
(Maharishi International University, Total Heart Health, Robert Schneider, M.D, F.A.C.C, and Jeremy Fields, PH.D., 2018.)
