Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension By Ayurveda

What is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe, progressive disorder characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) in the arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart. So it means pulmonary arterial hypertension is defined as high blood pressure in the lungs. In PAH, increased pressure in the vessels is caused due to an obstruction in the small arteries in the lung, because of various reasons. In several cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension, the reason is unknown but in many cases, PAH may occur due to connective tissue/autoimmune disorders, HIV infection or may be drug-related.

PAH and Your Heart

Our heart pumps blood through arteries, carrying oxygen to all parts of the body. In heartbeat, the left side of our heart pumps the blood out to the body, and blood returns to the right side of the heart from your body. The right side then pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery, where it interchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen. The oxygenated blood returns back to the left side of the heart, and the whole process repeats again in the next heartbeat.

But in patients with PAH, it becomes difficult for blood to move easily through the arteries in your lungs. Our heart works too much harder to carry blood to the lungs. Due to this, the heart muscle gets weak and does not work properly.

What causes Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Causes

Sometimes doctors can't detect the cause for high blood pressure in the lungs. In that case, the condition is termed as idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.

In some other cases, there is a specific condition that causes pulmonary arterial hypertension. Any of the following conditions can lead to high blood pressure in our lungs:

1. Sleep apnea
2. Congestive heart failure
3. HIV
4. Blood clots in the lungs
5. Scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases
6. Liver disease
7. Some drug use (like methamphetamine or cocaine)
8. Genetic heart defects
9. Lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is classified into five groups, depending on the cause.

Group 1: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

The cause of high blood pressure is unknown and termed as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The causes of Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension are:

• Illegal drugs use such as methamphetamines or certain toxins
• Heart abnormalities by birth (congenital heart disease)
• Other conditions, like connective tissue diseases (Lupus, scleroderma, others), chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) or HIV infection
  
  

Group 2: Pulmonary arterial hypertension which is caused by left-sided heart disease.

• Left-sided vascular heart diseases, like a mitral valve or aortic valve disease
• Failure of the left ventricle (lower left heart chamber)
  
  

Group 3: Pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by lung diseases.

• Lung disease such as pulmonary fibrosis, a condition which causes tissue scarring between the lung's air sacs (interstitium)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, like emphysema
• Sleep disorders like (sleep apnea)
  
  

Group 4: Pulmonary arterial hypertension caused by chronic blood clots.

Chronic blood clots in the lungs like pulmonary emboli

Group 5: Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with other situations that have unclear reasons.

• Blood disorders
• Metabolic disorders, like glycogen storage disease
• Disorders that affect several organs of the body, like sarcoidosis
• Tumors pressing against pulmonary arteries

What are the sign and symptoms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

The main symptom is shortness of breathe when you're physically active. It usually starts slowly and gets worse as time goes on. The signs and symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension might not be noticeable in its early stages maybe for months or even years. The main sign of this disease is shortness of breath when you're active. It normally starts gradually and gets dangerous as time passes

Pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms include :

1. Chest pain
2. Fatigue
3. Swelling (edema) in legs, hands, and eventually in abdomen
4. Fainting or Dizziness
5. Shortness of breath during normal physical activity
6. Dry cough, sometimes with blood
7. A racing pulse or racing heartbeat
8. Lightheadedness
9. Bluish color to your lips, fingers, and skin (cyanosis)

How to diagnose Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is difficult to diagnose in early stages because it's not usually detected in regular physical monitoring.

In order to diagnose the condition, the doctor may ask about your medical and family history, review your signs and symptoms, and conduct a physical examination. Doctors recommend several tests to diagnose pulmonary arterial hypertension, define the severity of the condition

Tests may include:

Echocardiogram

This ultrasound image of the heartbeats can examine the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This test helps your doctor to examine the size, thickness, and functioning of the right ventricle.

CT (Computerized tomography) scan

This can show the increased size of the pulmonary arteries. A CT scan can also find other problems of lungs that can cause shortness of breath.

Ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan)

This test helps to find out blood clots that can cause high blood pressure in the lungs.

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

An EKG traces the activity of the heart and can determine whether the right side of the heart is under pressure. This is a warning symbol of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Chest X-ray

An X-ray can show the enlarge size of arteries or heart. A chest X-ray can help find many other heart or lung conditions that may cause pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Exercise testing

Your doctor makes you run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike while you are under the proper monitoring, so the doctor can see any differences in your oxygen levels, lung pressure, heart function, or other signs of conditions.

Blood tests

Doctors might advise for blood tests to check for some elements (blood clotting) in your blood that might cause pulmonary arterial hypertension or its complications. Blood tests are also performed to check for HIV and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or lupus.

Polysomnogram

This test is performed to check your brain activity, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and other factors when you are asleep. It can help to diagnose a sleep disorder like sleep apnea which can cause pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Genetic tests

If a family member has/had pulmonary arterial hypertension, doctors perform your gene screening that is linked with pulmonary hypertension. If the test is positive, your doctor might recommend performing this screening to the other family members as well.

Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) by Ayurveda.

Planet Ayurveda provides pure and effective herbal remedies for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). These medicines are safe, pure, easy to use and have no side effects.

Products offered by Planet Ayurveda for pulmonary arterial hypertension are Arjuna Tea, Total Heart Support, Pitta Balance, and Sarpagandha Ghan Vatti.

ARJUNA TEA

Arjuna tea by Planet Ayurveda contains pure extract of Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) herb in it.

It is traditional Ayurvedic medicine, used to balance the three "Doshas": Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. It has also been used for the treatment of heart diseases, high blood pressure, asthma, scorpion stings, bile duct disorders, and poisonings. Dosage: 1 cup in a day regular.

TOTAL HEART SUPPORT

This formulation of Planet Ayurveda contains extract of four herbs in it.

These herbs are

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),
• Shankhpushpi (Convolvulu spluricaulis)
• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
  
  

PITTA BALANCE

Pitta balance capsules of Planet Ayurveda are made up of different ingredients.

These ingredients are.

It is used in the treatment of heart diseases, high blood pressure, anxiety, and stress

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily.

SARPAGANDHA GHAN VATTI

These tablets by Planet Ayurveda contain pure extract of herb Sarpagandha. It is also known as Rauwolfia Serpentina or snakeroot. These tablets are used to reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

Yoga exercises for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Yoga plays a significant role in the healing of many diseases, like high blood pressure, obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart diseases. There are various techniques of yoga-like yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, etc. The breathing techniques like Pranayam are very helpful to stabilize pulmonary conditions and other problems. Meditation also helps to relax the mind.

Breathing Yoga Exercises are Anulom-Vilom and Kapalbhati.

Anulom Vilom Breathing Exercise

Sit in a peaceful place and close your eyes. Relax in this position for 2 minutes. Then close your right nostril with your right thumb and breath in from your left nostril then count to 4. Hold your breath count to 2. Now open right nostril and close the left nostril with your middle finger and ring finger together. Breathe out from right nostril and count to 8. This is one round and repeats this with the left nostril. You have to follow this breathing exercise for around 10-12 minutes every day. This exercise is helpful for people with a heart condition, pulmonary hypertension, high blood pressure, heart blockages, migraine pain, depression, asthma, sinus, and allergy.

Kapalbhati Breathing Exercise

This exercise is also performed in a sitting position and in a peaceful place. When you exhale breath it contracts your abdominal muscles. Continue exhaling breath as long as you can. Do this procedure for five minutes and then take rest. Repeat the same procedure again for another next 5 minutes. You need to follow this Kapalbhati breathing exercise for at least 15 minutes. This breathing exercise control obesity, kidney, diabetes, and prostate diseases, brain heart and lung problems, pulmonary hypertension and many other diseases.

Meditation

Meditation is the best exercise to reduce your stress and anxiety, calm your brain, balance the energies and avoid any type of heart disease and lung disease. You should do meditation once daily. Sit in a suitable position cross both your legs, bring you both hands together and inhale deeply. Press your both hands against each other and hold close to your heart like as you are doing prayer. Now close your eyes and stay in this position for at least 5 minutes till you feel calm and peace inside the body. Do this exercise every day at least for 5-10 minutes.

Dietary guidance

You can control your PAH by following a healthy routine. What you eat is very important to maintain your health. Some foods may raise your blood pressure, and some other foods can cause weight gain.

Avoid more intake of salt and sodium

You should lower your salt intake. Many of the foods contain high salt content in it like packaged, pickled, and canned foods. So always choose fresh food, herbs like garlic and spices like cumin.

Limit fluids

Many people with PAH are advised to take two-liter fluid restriction, but you can talk to your doctor about the suitable fluid amount for you. Avoid drinking too many fluids to prevent fluid accumulation.

Avoid caffeine and stimulants

Avoid caffeine and other stimulants like alcohol, because these stimulants increase blood pressure. You should try tea and coffee substitutes like chicory in the morning and carbonated juices or "mocktails" (non-alcoholic cocktails) in the place of alcohol.

Iron

Take foods like red meat, dark, leafy greens, and beans. The body will better absorb iron if we include foods rich in vitamin C like tomatoes, broccoli and bell peppers. Fresh citrus juices or a few slices of mango or papaya are also natural sources of vitamin C

Garlic

Garlic helps to widen the blood vessels and control blood pressure. Add raw or cooked garlic to food for this benefit.

Vitamin K

The intake of vitamin K should be consistent. Ask your doctor how much vitamin K in your diet is safe for you.