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Cardio Disorders
Question #16975
102 days ago
164

Open heart surgery - #16975

Scarlett

My father recently had open heart surgery due to a blocked artery, and while the operation went well, his recovery has been slow. The doctors said it will take months for him to regain his strength, but he still feels weak, gets breathless even after small movements, and sometimes complains of chest tightness. His digestion has also become sluggish since the open heart surgery, and he often feels bloated or has no appetite. Another issue we’re noticing is that his sleep has been disturbed since the open heart surgery. He wakes up in the middle of the night, feeling restless, and says he feels anxious without any reason. The doctor prescribed some mild medications, but we want to focus on natural healing as much as possible. I started researching Ayurveda and saw that it has therapies for heart health, circulation, and overall recovery. Can Ayurveda help someone recover faster after open heart surgery? Are there specific Ayurvedic herbs or dietary recommendations that can strengthen the heart and speed up healing? Also, what kind of lifestyle changes should he follow to prevent future heart issues? One more concern is that his energy levels are very low, and he feels cold most of the time. Could this be due to poor circulation after the open heart surgery? Are there Ayurvedic massages or treatments that can help with blood flow and warmth in the body? We really want to support his recovery in the best way possible and avoid future complications. If anyone has experience using Ayurveda after open heart surgery, I’d love to hear what worked for them.

Open heart surgery
Ayurveda for heart health
Post-surgery recovery
Natural heart healing
Ayurvedic remedies for circulation
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Doctors’ responses

Ayurveda can play a vital role in post-surgery recovery by strengthening the heart, improving circulation, and restoring energy levels. Since your father is experiencing weakness, poor digestion, and low energy, his body needs Ojas-enhancing foods and herbs to rebuild strength. Arjuna (a well-known heart tonic) can be taken in small amounts with honey or warm water to support cardiac function. Ashwagandha and Shatavari help with post-surgery fatigue and stress. Mild herbal teas with ginger, cumin, and fennel can improve digestion and reduce bloating. Warm, light, and easily digestible foods like khichdi, moong dal soup, and cooked vegetables should be prioritized. Avoid heavy, oily, or cold foods that can slow metabolism. His low energy and feeling cold suggest poor circulation, which is common after surgery. Abhyanga (gentle warm oil massage with sesame oil) can help stimulate blood flow and provide warmth. Mild walking, deep breathing exercises (Anulom Vilom, Bhramari), and meditation can enhance circulation and reduce post-surgical anxiety. Since he struggles with sleep disturbances, a warm glass of nutmeg-infused milk or a pinch of Brahmi powder at night can promote relaxation. Encourage early dinners, minimal screen time before bed, and a calm nighttime routine for better rest. To prevent future heart issues, Ayurveda recommends long-term Kapha-balancing and circulation-enhancing practices. Regular gentle yoga (like Bhujangasana and Sukshma Vyayama), herbal formulations like Hridaya Vati or Arjuna-based supplements, and maintaining a Pitta-Kapha balancing diet can strengthen the heart. Ensure stress management through meditation, pranayama, and herbal adaptogens like Tulsi or Brahmi. If symptoms like chest tightness or extreme breathlessness continue, keep his doctors informed while complementing recovery with these natural methods.
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Dr. Harsha Joy
Dr. Harsha Joy is a renowned Ayurvedic practitioner with a wealth of expertise in lifestyle consultation, skin and hair care, gynecology, and infertility treatments. With years of experience, she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health through a balanced approach rooted in Ayurveda's time-tested principles. Dr. Harsha has a unique ability to connect with her patients, offering personalized care plans that cater to individual needs, whether addressing hormonal imbalances, fertility concerns, or chronic skin and hair conditions. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Harsha is a core content creator in the field of Ayurveda, contributing extensively to educational platforms and medical literature. She is passionate about making Ayurvedic wisdom accessible to a broader audience, combining ancient knowledge with modern advancements to empower her clients on their wellness journeys. Her areas of interest include promoting women's health, managing lifestyle disorders, and addressing the root causes of skin and hair issues through natural, non-invasive therapies. Dr. Harsha’s holistic approach focuses on not just treating symptoms but addressing the underlying causes of imbalances, ensuring sustainable and long-lasting results. Her warm and empathetic nature, coupled with her deep expertise, has made her a sought-after consultant for those looking for natural, effective solutions to improve their quality of life. Whether you're seeking to enhance fertility, rejuvenate your skin and hair, or improve overall well-being, Dr. Harsha Joy offers a compassionate and knowledgeable pathway to achieving your health goals.
100 days ago
4.82
In Ayurveda, post-heart surgery recovery is supported by balancing the body’s circulation, strengthening digestion, and calming the nervous system. Your father’s symptoms of weakness, breathlessness, and sluggish digestion are common after such a major surgery and can be helped by focusing on restoring balance to his Vata and Pitta doshas. For heart health, herbs like Arjuna, which is known for its cardio-strengthening properties, and Ashwagandha to help with energy and stress, can be beneficial. A diet rich in warming, easy-to-digest foods like soups, stews, and cooked vegetables will support digestion and nourish the body. Herbal teas with ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon can also promote circulation and warmth. Avoiding cold, heavy foods like dairy and fried items can help prevent sluggish digestion. To improve circulation and reduce coldness, gentle Ayurvedic therapies such as Abhyanga (oil massage) with warming oils like sesame oil can stimulate blood flow and improve vitality. Incorporating a daily routine of light exercise, such as walking or yoga, can further improve circulation and support mental well-being. Meditation or pranayama techniques can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Additionally, ensuring that he gets enough rest and follows a consistent sleep schedule will aid in recovery. These practices can help boost his energy, improve digestion, and support a smoother recovery process.

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Supporting your father's recovery after open heart surgery through Ayurveda can be a nurturing journey. Though modern surgical interventions are crucial in such cases, Ayurveda can complement the recovery process beautifully by addressing weakness, digestive troubles and overall mental wellbeing. First things first, since your father just had surgery, maintaining a dialogue with your allopathic doctors is important. Ayurveda can be a supportive, gentle approach, but it's vital not to delay any medical treatments. Now for his breathlessness and chest discomfort, focus on calming the vata dosha, often aggravated by surgeries. Use warm sesame oil to gently massage his chest and back. This can soothe the nervous system and improve circulation. For someone feeling cold and weak, ginger or cinnamon teas offer warmth. A tiny pinch of these spices in his morning tea can boost Agni, his digestive fire, providing warmth and energy. Speaking of digestion, try sipping warm water with a bit of lemon and a pinch of rock salt throughout the day. This tends to stimulate digestion and helps with that bloated feeling. Cooked, easy-to-digest meals like kitchari (a blend of rice and mung beans) are nurturing for someone who feels weak and has poor appetite. Herbs like Ashwagandha may help enhance strength and reduce anxiety. Start slow, with small doses upon a practitioner's advice. For sleep issues, a soothing bedtime routine could help. Suggest having a cup of warm milk with a piece of nutmeg or cardamom powder, as they have relaxing properties. Try gentle evening walks if he's up for it. Simply strolling around, while feeling the ground beneath his feet, could stabilize his mind, calm anxieties, and improve circulation as well. Avoid too much stimulation before bed to minimize that unsettling nighttime restlessness. When it comes to preventing future heart issues, consider incorporating more green leafy vegetables and good fats like olive oil into his diet. Encourage relaxation techniques like pranayama, specifically alternate-nostril breathing, to balance his body and mind energies Ayurvedic massages, known as Abhyanga, can be quite invigorating if his health permits. Encourage gentle strokes to stimulate circulation, using warm herbal oils. Always check with his primary doctor to make sure there's no contraindication with his current condition. Focus on gentle, incremental lifestyle choices rather than dramatic changes. Celebrating small progress along the way can keep his spirits high during this healing journey!

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