Hi,
1. A fairly large number of elderly patients suffer from
ischemic heart disease [IHD] which manifests in many ways ranging from totally symptomless or occasional
chest pain to a myocardial infarct. But most patients will do very well with medical treatment and change of lifestyle, and under the guidance of an attending cardiologist, you should be able to take good care of yourself.
2. The treatment is a five-step approach to the disease:
A. Exercise: brisk walking for 45 minutes every day, at least 5 days a week.
. Yogasanas, to relax and stretch various muscles. These should be learned and done after discussing with the physician as to which exercises and asanas are permitted for your specific heart condition.
. Pranayam: The breath control exercises should be learned under the expert guidance
B.
Stress Management:
Meditation for 15 minutes every day. The aim is to think positively about your own health, and own life. It is also important to understand that at this age, small matters and disagreements in family life should not be taken so seriously as to affect your health. One must learn to live with a relaxed mind.
C. Low Fat Diet:
. Less than 10% of the day's calorie intake should come from unsaturated fats.
. Absolute NO to cholesterol-rich food items, like butter, ghee, cheese, unskimmed milk, saturated oils, deep-fried foods, yellow of the egg, red meat, duck, hamburger, sausages, and deep-fried fish.
. Avoid Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
- Take more soups, and plenty of salads with uncooked or boiled vegetables, raw sprouted pulses, more bhajis prepared with minimum or no oil, skimmed milk, and margarine instead of butter.
- Items that actually help to reduce cholesterol- onion, garlic, soybean, curd of skimmed milk, apple, tea, or coffee should be taken plain [without milk], with limited use of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils. Increase the fiber intake.
D. elimination of Known risk factors.
- Smoking: Active / Passive.
- Obesity: Weight reduction to ideal weight as per BMI [body mass index]
-
Diabetes,
Hypertension, and
Hyperlipidemia should be strictly controlled.
- Avoid mental strains.
E. Drugs:
- Coronary Vasodilators [nitrates]
- Anti-thrombotic [Aspirin]
- Statins.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood, Ayurveda Specialist