Critical Analysis of Valvular Heart Diseases And Cardiac Arrhythmias With Reference To Ayurvedokta Pulse Examination

Abstract

In ancient times the only tool to assess cardiac physiology and pathology was the pulse examination. With each heart beat, as the blood is pumped in systemic circulation, the pressure is generated all along the arterial tree which is felt as pulse. Change in the rhythm of the heart also alters the rhythmic wave force of the pulse which can be felt. Valvular heart diseases exists in two forms as stenotic or regurgitant defect. Valvular heart diseases ultimately leads to cardiac arrhythmias.The present study aims to bring out this hidden description of valvular heart diseases and cardiac arrhythmias given in ayurvedic science of pulse examination and to interpret it in the light of advances made in modern medicine. After thorough discussion, it is concluded that Ayurvedokta ‘Mathita’ (churning) type Pulse is invariably observed in Valvular heart diseases due to turbulence of blood flow through stenotic heart valves whereas ‘Bhramar Gati’ (bee movement) and ‘Damaru Gati’ (Fast Musical drum beating) like Pulse is observed in cardiac arrhythmias. Ayurvedokta Pulse examination provides the first hand diagnosis of Valvular heart diseases and arrhythmias to the physician later to be confirmed by ECG and ECHO. These findings should be incorporated in the curriculum of modern day Ayurvedic students.