Our cardiovascular system is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body by the heart and blood vessels.  Arteries carry oxygen to tissues and organs.  The largest of these, called the aorta is where the blood leaves the heart.  Blood is carried from the arteries to what is called arterioles.  An exchange takes place in what is called the capillaries, where waste products are processed.  Through a network of veins this blood is then sent back to the heart, where it is sent back to the lungs, and there fresh oxygen is picked up.  Then again back to the heart, where the process starts over.  None of this process can be accomplished without the required blood pressure.

Several organs help to control this pressure.  These are the heart, the arteries, and the kidneys.  As long as these organs stay healthy, and in good shape, basically there will be no problem with the flow of blood (blood pressure).  But once the heart has to work harder because of “faulty plumbing”, the arterial walls may have last some elasticity or may have become narrow.  This can and usually will impair blood flow.  Also, if kidneys fail to perform their so-called designated function, one of which is to regulate sodium levels in the body, this in turn will cause the body to retain fluids.  As a consequence, again the flow of blood may be negatively affected.  If the pressure is consistently high, this usually indicates that the disease is present.

One way to control high blood pressure is to first keep track of the level of pressure in the blood flow.  A sphygmomanometer is a small piece of medical equipment that is used to measure a person’s blood pressure.  An inflatable cuff is wrapped around the upper portion of the arm.  Through the use of an air pump and a measurement that uses mercury, it will determine whether the pressure is within a safe range.

The first reading is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts, and releases the blood into the aorta.  The second number is the diastolic pressure, indication how much pressure is in the arteries as blood flows into the heart.  The systolic number is written over the diastolic.  A normal or healthy reading would probably read 120/80 mmHg.  A high range would fall around 140/90.

Many outside influence affect these blood pressure numbers.  Lifestyle is probably one of the main influences.  Caffeine and nicotine are well known culprits that can raise a person’s pressure.  Alcohol is another influence that may decrease blood pressure flow.

Some ways to help prevent this condition involve regular exercise, stress management, healthy eating, weight control, quitting nasty habits such as smoking, and watching sodium intake.  If such changes in lifestyle and preventive measures don’t work, then a program of medication will probably be required, some of which include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, and diuretics.

Introduction to High Blood Pressure (Raktagata Vata)

High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most popular medical conditions across the world. As the name itself suggests this is the pressure of the blood on to artery. When the heart pushes the blood through out the body, it creates some pressure on the arteries. This is nothing but blood pressure.

The blood pressure is measured by two labels; the systolic refers to pressure in the artery when the heart contracts and pushes the blood and the diastolic to the pressure when it relaxes and pulls the blood. The unit is millimeter of mercury i.e. mm Hg. Normal human blood pressure in adults is 120-140/80-90 mm of Hg where 120 to 40 refers to systolic and 80 to 90 to diastolic. Overall increase in this figure is stated as hypertension. This can severely damage vital organs like heart, kidney and liver.

Ayurveda refers this to raktagata vata (The Vata Dosha seated into blood). According to Ayurveda belief, people with hypertension are always at a state of risk until their death.

Definition of High Blood Pressure (Raktagata Vata)

High blood pressure is defined as the condition when arterial pressure of the blood crosses the normal limits. There could be many reasons for this. It is a fact that at least once in a life every person must have faced hypertension due to one or the other reason. But hypertension is diagnosed only if there is a constant rise in the blood pressure. This is measured by an instrument called sphygmomanometer. This is applied on the arm (biceps) to carry out normal figures of the blood pressure.

Types of hypertension (Raktagata Vata)

In modern science high blood pressure is divided into two major categories.

(i) Primary or essential hypertension

The specific reason for this is still to be evaluated. But it is firmly believed that this is associated with lifestyle. This being most common and general diagnostic factor is the major cause of fatal attacks.

(ii) Secondary hypertension

This is the rare one and hence not so commonly seen. As the name suggests this could be due to pre-existing bodily condition like kidney problems, liver problems and congestive cardiac failure.

There are certain other conditions like pregnancy which are to be taken in a careful manner because if left untreated, it may result in severe damage to the targeted organ.

Causes of High Blood Pressure (Raktagata Vata)

As said earlier, the cause is unknown but there are certain factors that may give rise to hypertension are obesity, tobacco chewing and chronic alcoholism. Most of the cases primary hypertension is due to increased stiffness and narrowing of the small arteries. This result into increased resistance to the flow of blood and that is what makes the blood pressure elevation.

It is also believed that increased peripheral artery resistance may be associated with genetics, lack of exercise, obesity, over consumption of salts and natural aging process. Long lasting kidney diseases, pregnancies etc are well known factors causing hypertension.

There are certain drugs like immunosuppressive and corticosteroids may produce high blood pressure. NSAID’s (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) and COX-2 (cyclooxygenenase two) groups are well known causative factors for the same if taken frequently and for long period. This is due to their effect on kidneys as they have anti-prostaglandin properties.

Ayurveda believes that a person who doesn’t do work and sits all the time, i.e. leads a sedentary lifestyle, may develop this condition. Obese people and diabetics are at a higher risk. Those who are non-vegetarian and alcoholic are more susceptible to develop hypertension as per Ayurveda. The science also accepts certain mental states like fear, anger and shock that directly deals with hypertension. Ayurveda also accepts sudden change in decision or mood may alter your blood pressure.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure (Raktagata Vata)

Person with hypertension feels dizziness and headache as the primarily symptom. Palpitation is not also uncommon. They get breathlessness even on slightest exertion like climbing even couple of stairs. They get body ache and also chest pain sometimes. The person can’t stand and needs to be seated irrespective of the place he or she is standing on. Giddiness ruins up one’s mind while attack. Rarely but not ignorable is vomiting in this case.

Complications of High Blood Pressure (Raktagata Vata)

High blood pressure can severely damage one’s organ. The first affected body part is micro-structured organs. This may include bleeding in the eyes due to capillary damage, myocardial infarction due to blast into any of the coronary artery. This also affects the micro-structure of the kidneys causing renal damage and so the renal failure sometimes. When it troubles the brain, it can cause the infarct and can be labeled as brain-stroke or cerebral infarct. This could be major risk as it can make heart weak and may cause heart-attack.

Prevention of High Blood Pressure (Raktagata Vata)

The obesity is very closely related to the hypertension. Medical professionals strongly recommend that all the fatty people with hypertension are more susceptible to have heart failure compare to normal. One has to restrict sodium intake by means of salt in daily routine. Over the counter analgesics also contain sodium and hence to be avoided.

One has to be very active. Lazy ness invites obesity and hence hypertension too. Some birth control pills also cause hypertensions in women.

One should perform lightest exercises on routine basis. The yoga posture of “praanayama” is indeed helpful keeping hypertension away. Enough sleep and regular having meals do improve your physical condition. One has to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Be cool and calm is the best to be adopted. Hurries and worries are to be avoided. One should go for the meditation as it is believed to be sure shot for stress, depression and so hypertension caused by them.

Ayurveda has the concept of wearing rudraksha maala (the neck less containing a special herb rudraksha as pedant) reduces the hypertension to some extent. Ayurveda believes this is due to its prabhaav (invisible power within it).

Diet of High Blood Pressure (Raktagata Vata)

There are some principles to be followed to avoid getting hypertension. They are mentioned below.

The obese person has to look after their obesity. For that they need 20 Kcal per Kg body weight. Protein in the form of dals, legumes and sprouts can be taken in normal quantity. Normal savings of chapati or breads, pasta, rice and other cereals are also allowed. Fat intake is best to avoid. This include ghee, butter, cream, dairy products, margarine etc. animal products like red meat and eggs also contain high cholesterol and hence to be restricted.

It is thought that fish and fish oils are little beneficial to hypertensive. This is probably because that contains n-3 fatty acids which controls hyperlipidemia and reduces the incidences of blood coagulations and hence prevents the blood clotting or an infarct in the heart.

SRD (Salt restricted diet) is first and foremost. This is because the sodium is osmogenic meaning it draws the water from the surrounding tissues in the body and hence increases the volume of the blood causing hypertension. One should avoid non-vegetarian diet as per Ayurvedic science. This increases the Pitta Dosha and also the Vata to some extent. Smoking and alcohol shoots up blood pressure and hence to be avoided.

Include salads and roughage i.e. fiber into your dish as it calms down the mood and also regulates the bowel movements preventing constipation. Fibers are considered to bind themselves to the cholesterol and hence remove them from the body into the feces.

One has to include calcium intake as it tones up the muscles of the heart and giving the strength to pump the blood to the entire body.

The groundnut oil is considered to be beneficial compare to all other oils. It has the near perfect ratio of poly and mono unsaturated fatty acids, which is good for maintaining cardiovascular health.

Such fruits as banana, guava and apples are to be included. Cereals and pulses are to be reduced from the diet. Coriander leaves, carrots and aamla (Indian gooseberry) is really beneficial.

High Blood Pressure Herbal Remedies

Cardocare A complete cardiac tonic made from over 16 herbs which strengthens the ailing heart. CARDOCARE capsules are effective in strengthening the Heart Muscles, controlling Blood Pressure, maintaining the normal Pulse Rate and other Heart Diseases. It helps regulate blood pressure and maintains the balance between supply and demand of myocardial oxygen.

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) Arjuna is a coronary vasodilator. It protects the heart, strengthens circulation, and helps to maintain the tone and health of the heart muscle. It is also useful in stopping bleeding and to promote healing after a heart attack. Current scientific research has proved that T.arjuna contains specific medically active constituents namely triterpine glycosides like arjunetosides I, II, III, IV, arjunine and arjunetein. Bark of Arjuna tree has been found to be rich in Co-enzyme Q-10 which is highly prescribed in cardiology departments now a days to prevent heart problems.

Guggul (Commiphora mukul) It has been shown to lower blood-fat levels while raising levels of HDL, the so called "good cholesterol". It is useful in atherosclerosis, psoriasis and cardiac ischemia. It has been shown that Guggul can lower blood cholesterol by 14-27% and can lower triglycerides by 22-30%. The effects that Shuddha Guggulu has on the blood cholesterol levels is comparable to prescription medications but, being a natural plant extract, it is a far superior and much safer product.

Garlic (Allium sativum), (Lasuna) Garlic is a wonder drug for heart. Clinical trials have shown that fresh garlic and garlic supplements may lower cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots, and destroy plaque. When people with high blood pressure were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced.

Ayurveda describes couple of herbs as single and also some formulae that is helpful to control hypertension. However it is always advisable not to stop anti-hypertensive suddenly and switch on to the Ayurvedic treatment. It is always safe to see Ayurvedic physician before dealing with disease like hypertension.

Vata Hypertension: (Symptoms and Treatment)

Symptoms:

• The blood pressure may rise suddenly and fall suddenly with nervous tension.

• Irregular or erratic pulse both in rhythm and strength.

• An increase in blood pressure will be followed by worry, strain, overwork, anxiety or insomnia.

• Frequently associated with nervous system disorders.

Treatment

Tonification therapy:

Garlic is very good for this condition. Eat an entire crushed clove (with honey) once or twice a week.

Take nutmeg or saraswat powder in warm milk.

Ashwagandha preparations.

Herbal Combination

Ashwagandha - 1 part
Valerian - 1 part
Gotu kola - 1 part

 

Mix well and take 1-3 grams of the powdered herbs with warm water or with ghee.

Kalpha Hypertension (Symptoms and Treatment)

Symptoms

*The blood pressure remains continually high. (no fluctuation as in Pitta hypertension.)

• Obesity
  Tiredness
  Edema
  High cholesterol.

Treatment

Avoid dairy, butter, eggs and high fat foods.

Incorporate plenty of hot spices in the diet, particularly mustard and onions.

Herbs: Cayenne, myrrh, garlic, motherwort and hawthorn berries. Avoid licorice.

Pitta Hypertension: Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms

• Flushed face
  
• Red eyes
  
• Violent headaches
  
• Sensitivity to light
  
• Nosebleeds
  
• Anger
  
• Irritability
  
• Burning sensations
  
• Wiry and tight pulse
  
• Associated with liver disorders and the accumulation of internal heat.

Treatment

Herbs: aloe gel, barberry and katuka. In stronger cases, purgation may be prescribed with bitter herbs such as aloe, rhubarb root or senna. Gotu kola is another useful herb for Pitta hypertension. It calms the nerves and relieve heat and stress.

Herbal Formulas:

Gotu Kola preparations
Brahma Rasayana
Saraswat powder
Gotu kola and skullcap taken in equal proportions.