Stress Management

Heart Disease

Heart Disease and the Ayurvedic Mind-Body Constitution

Heart diseases may manifest themselves in any of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), or primary life forces of the body.

Vata

Most nervous heart conditions are Vata in nature. Heart disease in the Vata dosha (humor) is caused by the drying of body tissue and by hardening of the blood vessels. This is seen commonly in the elderly. The symptoms of Vata-type heart disease include:

• Palpitations, tremor in the heart

• Numbness, tightness in the chest

• Throbbing, breaking or bursting pain in the heart region

• Insomnia

• Dry cough

• Constipation

• Labored breathing

• Fear and restlessness

• Dark discoloration around the eyes

• Dark patches on the skin

• The individual becomes intolerant of noise and loud speech

• Heart problems will follow stress, overwork or excessive exercise

• Restlessness, fear, fright, anxiety and sometimes fainting may be manifested

See Also: 

Treating Vata-type heart disease

Characteristics of Vata Types

Signs of Vata Dosha Imbalance

Kapha

Most congestive heart conditions or cardiac edema are from kapha dosha disorders. Kapha heart disease originate from overeating, and too much cholesterol, fat and mucus interfering with the heart. Symptoms of Kapha-type heart disease include:

• A feeling of heaviness and stiffness in the region of the heart

• Congestion in the chest

• Accumulation of phlegm

• Coughing

• Increased salivation

• Lack of appetite

• Nausea and perhaps vomiting

• Burning sensation in the region of the heart

• Fatigue and excessive sleeping

• May feel dull and lack clarity

• Greed and materialism

• An unwillingness to let things go

See Also:

Treating Kapha-type heart disease

Characteristics of Kapha Types

Signs of Kapha Dosha Imbalance

Pitta

Most inflammatory heart conditions such as myocarditis, endocarditis and pericarditis relate to Pitta dosha imbalance. Heart disease in the Pitta humor often manifests as a heart attack. They generally involve hypertension, a common Pitta disorder as Pitta is related to the blood. Typical Type 1 personality - the red faced, angry, ambitious, hard driving executive - who suddenly dies of a heart attack is typically a Pitta person who denies his true heart. The symptoms of Pitta-type heart disease include:

• Burning sensation in and around the heart

• A feeling of smoldering heat, spontaneous sweating, fever

• Feeling of warmth all over the body

• Dizziness, sometimes fainting

• An yellowish tint to the skin and eyes

• The face will usually be flushed, with red or bloodshot eyes

• Nosebleeds, a tendency to bleed easily or slow healing of cuts and bruises

• Vomiting of bile or sour fluids may occur, along with loose yellow stool

• Anger and irritability

• Outbursts of temper may aggravate the symptoms

• All heart diseases, regardless of their origin, are treated with mental and physical rest, herbs, yoga and meditation

See Also:

Treating Pitta-type heart disease

Characteristics of Pitta Types

Signs of Pitta Dosha Imbalance

Next Topic: