CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

These are structural malformations present since birth, due to abnormalities in embryonic development.

Facts

1) The overall incidence rate for CHD is 1 per 100 live births
2) Almost 20% of infants with CHD die

Common congenital heart anomalies

1) Ventricular septal defect
2) Atrial septal defect
3) Patent ductus arteriosus
4) Pulmonic stenosis
5) Tetralogy of fallot
6) Aortic stenosis
7) Coarctation of aorta

Causes

1) Chromosomal disorders
2) Single gene disorder
3) Rubella
4) Thalidomide – sedative & hypnotic, immunosuppressants
5) Foetal alcohol syndrome
6) Triodione
7) Maternal systemic lupus erythematosus


Symptoms

1) Heart failure (breathlessness, sweating, feeding difficulties)
2) Pallor
3) Fatigue
4) Loss of consciousness

Therapeutic consideration

1) Eliminate salt intake
2) Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol
3) Diet rich in potassium, fibers, magnesium is very useful*

Ayurveda approach

According to ayurveda, congenital heart disease comes under a category called sahaja or janmajata vyadhi. When it comes to sahaja vyadhi, ayurveda says it depends upon the severity of disease, organ affected, age of patient,etc. These factors make the disease manageable or hard to manage. But ayurvedic medicines have shown very promising results in some of the congenital heart diseases, so they are definitely recommended to these patients.

Contact - Dr. Rahul Saraf at rahsaraf@gmail.com, +919422309088 to discuss your health problem or ayurvedic guidance on the same.

VALVULAR HEART DISEASE

Various disorders in which cardiac valves are involved, are called as valvular heart disease.

Causes

1) Ventricular septal defect – a congenital heart condition where there is a communication between two ventricles
2) Non- rheumatic heart disease – like mitral valve disease, pulmonary valve disease, tricuspid valve disease, pulmonary valve disease, syphilis, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, aorto-arteritis
3) Rheumatoid heart disease – rheumatoid heart disease, ankylosing spondylsis
4) Infective endocarditis – due to various bacterias esp.- Streptococcus viridans from oral cavity or genitourinary tract

Symptoms

1) Breathlessness
2) Chest pain
3) High fever, if infective
4) Frequent chest infections, in case of congenital defects
5) Fatigue
6) Joint pain, in case of rheumatoid arthritis
7) Anorexia
8) Palpitations
9) Ascitis
10) Pedal oedema

Investigation

1) ECG
2) Chest X-ray
3) Echocardiogram
4) Rheumatoid factor

Therapeutic consideration

1) Reduce excessive weight
2) Eliminate salt intake
3) Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol
4) Diet rich in fibers, potassium
5) Consumption of garlic and onion
6) Magnesium*
7) Stress management
8) Calcium*
9) Vit-C *

Ayurveda approach

According to ayurveda, this is a predominantly VATA disorder and AMA is involved in the pathogenesis. But if ayurvedic medicines are taken with diet control and exercises, one can easily win this disease. Therefore, ayurvedic medicines are strongly recommended for this problem.

Contact - Dr. Rahul Saraf at rahsaraf@gmail.com, +919422309088 to discuss your health problem or ayurvedic guidance on the same.