For your friend’s situation, given the complexity of cardiac health and recent interventional procedure like PTCA to LAD - while Ayurveda can offer supportive measures, it’s critical to do this under meticulous care. Since he is on blood thinners, we must ensure there’s no interaction with any Ayurvedic herbs or treatments.
Ayurveda focuses on strengthening the heart and supporting circulatory function primarily through balancing doshas, nourishing the dhatus (tissues), and supporting agni (digestive fire). One of the key herbs to consider is Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), known for its cardio-protective properties. It’s traditionally used to enhance heart muscle function and improve circulation. A standard approach could involve Arjuna powder or capsule taken with warm water, typically around 500 mg to 1 gram, twice daily after meals, but this should be confirmed by a knowledgeable practitioner.
Dietary considerations are also crucial. Emphasizing on a light, balanced diet that doesn’t impede digestion will support overall health. Encourage foods that pacify Kapha and support digestion like warm, cooked vegetables, and spices such as ginger and turmeric, in moderate amounts as tolerated. Small amounts of ghee can be beneficial too, as it aids in digestion and tissue nourishment.
Beyond herbs and diet, lifestyle factors like incorporating gentle physical activity appropriate to his capability, regular monitoring of cardiac markers, and stress reduction techniques such as meditation or pranayama can be invaluable. Pranayama should be done daily, ideally in morning with practices like Anulom vilom, but once again, tailored to his capacity.
However, and importantly, always coordinate these approaches with his cardiologist to ensure that they do not interfere with his current treatment regimen, especially the blood thinners. Adjustments or approvals from healthcare providers are essential in such scenarios.
