Congestive cardiac failure (CCF), also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart’s function as a pump to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body is inadequate to meet the body’s needs. CCF can be caused by coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, long standing alcohol abuse and disorders of the heart valves. Fatigue; swelling of the ankles and legs or abdomen; breathlessness; increased urination, especially at night; nausea; abdominal pain; and decreased appetite are common symptoms of this condition.

The Ayurvedic treatment of CCF is aimed at improving the efficiency of the heart, reducing the load on the heart and treating any potentially reversible causes of this disease. The efficiency of the heart is increased by using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Makar-Dhwaj- Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani and Abhrak-Bhasma. Coronary artery disease, leading to a reduced blood supply to the heart muscles, can be corrected by using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu and Chandraprabha-Vati. Weak heart muscles can be strengthened using medicines like Trayodashang-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta). Disorders of the valves of the heart can be partially corrected using medicines like Laxadi-Guggulu, Sinhanaad-Guggulu, Dashmoolarishta and Arjunarishta.

It is very important to control high blood pressure, since this puts a continuous strain on the heart muscles. Medicines like Sarpagandha (Raulwofia serpentina), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica) and Sutshekhar-Ras can be used for this purpose. Alcohol abuse can make the heart muscles weak, and also cause destruction in the liver, thereby resulting in CCF. This can be treated using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Shankh-Vati, Bhunimbadi-Qadha, Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) and Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea). The load on the heart can be reduced using medicines like Punarnavadi-Qadha, Gokshuradi-Qadha, Yav-Kshar, Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera) and Ikshumool (Saceharum officinarum).

A judicious combination of Ayurvedic medicines can thus be used to control CCF and improve the overall survival of patients affected with this condition. It is important to adopt adequate lifestyle modifications for this disease. Daily salt and fluid intake needs to be restricted. Regular exercise in moderation is beneficial for CCF. A complete abstinence from alcohol and smoking is important to avoid further damage to the heart. Stress needs to be minimized by adopting suitable relaxation techniques.

Pericarditis is a swelling and irritation of the pericardium, which is a thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. Pericarditis may be acute or chronic. Common symptoms of this condition include a sharp stabbing chest pain which intensifies on lying down; breathlessness while reclining; low grade fever; an overall sense of weakness, fatigue or feeling sick dry cough; and abdominal or leg swelling. In the majority of patients with pericarditis, there is no known cause for this condition. A few patients may develop this disease after a viral infection, a major heart attack or heart surgery. Trauma, inflammatory disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases like kidney failure, tuberculosis, cancer and AIDS can also cause this condition.

The Ayurvedic treatment of pericarditis is aimed at treating the inflammation of the pericardium and reducing the excessive accumulation of fluid. Medicines like Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Yograj-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Arjunarishta, Dashmoolarishta, Triphala-Guggulu, and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu are used to reduce the inflammation in the pericardium.

Herbal medicines like Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) can also be used for this purpose.

Medicines which act on the ‘Rakta′ and ‘Mansa′ dhatus (tissues) can also be used to treat this condition. These medicines include Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (Three fruits) and Draksha (Vitis vinifera). Medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Suvarna-Sameer-Pannag-Ras and Makar-Dhwaj- Ras are used to strengthen the heart, improve the therapeutic response, and also improve the immune status of the body.

It should be remembered that pericarditis can lead to complications like constrictive pericarditis and cardiac tamponade, both of which need surgical intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment of this condition is therefore very important. All such patients should be under the regular care and supervision of a Cardiologist.