Study of Diet and Regimen in the Pathogenesis of Hridroga (Heart Diseases) in Ayurveda

Purpose: Hridroga is the disease of marma (vital organ), which is the seat of many vital activities. Hridroga is among those diseases mentioned in ayurveda where in the descriptions is quite brief and ayurvedic viewpoint needs clarification. Keeping in view of the increasing evidence of cardiac disorders in the present times, the study was conducted with following objective: To know role of diet and regimen in pathogenesis of hridroga. Methods:224 patients from Indoor Patient Department and Out Patient Department of roga nidan dept, govt. Ayurvedic College, Guwahati; on the basis of inclusion criteria were randomly selected for the study. Inclusion criteria: 1. Patient showing atleast 4 samanya lakshanas of hridroga were included under the study, irrespective of their age or gender. Assessment criteria: 1. Patients having hridroga, were first diagnosed on the basis of samanya lakshana of hridroga and registered. 2. The full details of screening, history of physical examination of patients were recorded in specially designed format to study diet and regimen in pathogenesis of their disease and to categorise it under different types of Hridroga according to Ayurveda classics. Results: The study showed a range of 46.14 ± 17.2 (mean ± SD) years old patients’ inclusion. The study showed that the 40 – 60 years of age group (40.2%) comprises of highest number of patients. The study showed majority of hridroga are vataja hridroga (29.9%). Virruddhasan, adhyasan and visamasan, each of these dietary habits were seen in more than 50% of the patients. Excessive consumption of Fish was seen in 89.7% cases of krimija hridroga, 100% cases of kaphaja hridroga and 93% pittaja hridroga. Conclusion: From the study following conclusions are drawn: 1. most prevelant hridroga is vataja hridroga. 2. Hridroga is a disease predominant in productive age of life; i.e. 20-60 years of age. 3. Major dietary faults causing hriroga are: Consumption of junk food, calorie rich dense food, meat, fish etc. very often, Excessive indulgence in gutkha, panmasala, alcohol etc. and Taking food in larger quantities, in wrong timing and in wrong combination.