Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease – Causes, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Treatment

ABSTRACT

In this modern era, stress and anxiety levels are on the rise. Everyone desires a peaceful mind and healthy body but keeps practicing an unhealthy lifestyle. This leads to very adverse effects on the body and especially the heart. The heart is a muscular organ which pumps the blood and circulates throughout the body to each part. There are various diseases that are caused due to the blockage, lack of flexibility or lack of the strength in the valves of the heart, thus hindering the normal blood flow mechanism throughout the body. One such condition is myxomatous mitral valve disease. In this article we are going to discuss this condition in detail along with its modern and ayurvedic perspective. Before starting with the information about disease, let us know some interesting facts about our heart.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT OUR HEART

1. The heart beats approximately 1,00,000 times in one day.
2. The heart pumps about 5.6 liters of blood in one minute.
3. The adult human heart is the size of two hands clasped together.
4. Every cell of the body receives blood from the heart except the cornea.
5. Maximum number of heart attacks are observed on monday as compared to other days of the week.

INTRODUCTION

Human heart is a muscular structure. The heart valves are the components of the heart that act like a door. The valve ensures proper blood flow from one area of the heart to another by opening and closing at the right time. While these valves open and close a sound is produced which is recognised as the heart beat. The condition of myxomatous mitral valve disease is an abnormality observed in the heart valve between the left heart chambers. Myxomatous mitral valve disease is also known as Barlow syndrome, Billowing mitral valve syndrome, Click-murmur syndrome, Floppy valve syndrome, Mitral prolapse, etc. The leaflets bulge backwards, the mitral valve prolapse leads to the leakage of blood backwards across the valve, also known as the mitral valve regurgitation. The causes and symptoms of the myxomatous mitral valve disease will be described as follows.

CAUSES OF MYXOMATOUS MITRAL VALVE DISEASE

As mentioned earlier, the main cause of the myxomatous mitral valve disease is the abnormality in the valves of the heart. Each of the valves has flaps or leaflets that help to regulate the normal blood flow through the heart. In this condition, the leaflet bulges backward like a parachute. The bulge will not let the valves close tightly, this may result in the backflow of blood. There can be various risk factors, it is most common in the age group of above fifty years. It may also be associated with a variety of other conditions such as grave’s disease, muscular dystrophy, scoliosis, etc.

SYMPTOMS OF MYXOMATOUS MITRAL VALVE DISEASE

The symptoms of myxomatous mitral valve disease are presented due to the leakage of blood in the backward direction. The clinical features will vary from patient to patient and the onset and severity will depend on various factors. Most commonly observed symptoms of the myxomatous mitral valve disease are as follows –

1. Arrhythmia – irregular heartbeat or a racing heart
2. Lightheadedness or dizziness
3. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing experienced especially during the hours of physical activity such as exercise, etc.
4. The patient may also experience lethargy or fatigue.

DIAGNOSIS OF MYXOMATOUS MITRAL VALVE DISEASE

The diagnosis of myxomatous mitral valve disease will require a proper medical history of the patient. Along with it, some lab investigations and imaging tests may also be required. The tests will include –

1. ECG (electrocardiogram)
2. Chest X-ray
3. Echocardiogram
4. Exercise or stress tests
5. Cardiac catheterisation, etc.

TREATMENT OF MYXOMATOUS MITRAL VALVE DISEASE

The next step after diagnosing the condition is medical management. The medicines will be case specific, usually medicines are administered to regulate the heart beats. The medicines may include beta blockers, diuretics, anti arrhythmics, etc. In some cases, antibiotics may also be required. For reducing the chances of clot formation anticoagulants or blood thinners may also be prescribed. Let us now learn about the ayurvedic perspective of myxomatous mitral valve disease.

AYURVEDIC ASPECT OF MYXOMATOUS MITRAL VALVE DISEASE

Ayurveda presents each health topic in a very unique way. It describes numerous health and medicinal facts in the form of sanskrit shloka. These shloka, when interpreted, convey an enormous amount of information regarding the health of the individual. It never fails to amaze the reader. Out of all the concepts presented in the ayurvedic literature, the explanation of heart is presented in a very unique way.The term heart can be correlated with hridaya in the Ayurvedic context. There are various descriptions that have been mentioned regarding the term hridaya which are as follows.

1. The term Hridaya is described in various contexts in the classical ayurvedic texts such as the sushruta samhita, the charak samhita, the ashtanga sangraha, the ashtanga hridaya etc.
2. Hridaya refers to the food, medicinal drugs, and other substances that are healthy and desirable.  
3. Hridaya is referred to as a pratyanga which can be described as a vital organ.
4. Hridaya is not only referred to as a structural entity but it widely represents a process through smell, taste, and other senses that evokes a pleasant feeling in the mind or other organs of the body.

So, Hridaya can be referred to as a combination of physiological and psychological processes. The Hridaya is also mentioned under the trimarma i.e. three of the most vital parts of the body which are shira, hridaya and basti. It is very essential to put efforts to protect the heart from any kind of disease causing factors. The myxomatous mitral valve disease can be correlated to the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha) vitiation, especially with the vata dominance that gets accumulated in the hridaya or the rakta vaha srotas. The vata manages the movements in the body, the abnormal functioning of the vata will result in the valve dysfunction. It is essential to bring the levels of the vitiated dosha back in the equilibrium state to improve the condition. There are a variety of drugs and formulations mentioned in the classical texts of ayurveda. The formulations beneficial for the cases of myxomatous mitral valve disease will be described as follows.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA FOR MYXOMATOUS MITRAL VALVE DISEASE

Planet Ayurveda is preparing various formulations of natural herbs which are prepared through authentic ways and provide great results in improving the condition of myxomatous mitral valve disease. All the herbal products manufactured here are free from chemicals, preservatives, starch, yeast, additives, colors and fillers. They are 100 percent natural and are formulated by MD Ayurvedic doctors with deep knowledge of Ayurveda and many years of experience. The formulations that improve the condition of myxomatous mitral valve disease are described as follows.

Heart Care Pack

1. Arjuna Capsules
2. Arjun Tea
3. Total Heart Support
4. Gotu Kola Capsules

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Arjuna Capsules

Arjuna Capsules are prepared by Planet Ayurveda. These capsules contain natural extract of the wonderful Ayurvedic herb Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). It is very effective in promoting the cardiac health of the patient. Arjun helps to re-attain the normal levels of kapha and pitta in the body. It improves blood circulation. Arjuna is also effective in cholesterol and reducing the blood glucose level. It is majorly used as a tonic healthy for the heart. Thus improves the condition of myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Dose – 1 Capsule two times a day with plain water, after meals.

2. Arjun Tea

Arjun Tea is prepared by planet Ayurveda. It contains various Ayurvedic herbs such as Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), etc. It helps in improving the overall blood circulation of the body. It is very effective in increasing the health of the heart. Arjun tea helps in maintaining the normal rhythm of the heart. Hence, it is beneficial in managing the condition of myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Dose – 1 Cup once daily.

3. Total Heart Support

Total Heart Support is prepared by planet Ayurveda. It contains natural extracts of the following medicinal herbs – Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), etc. It helps to improve the overall health of the heart and the blood circulation. It is effective in managing various heart related difficulties. It is very effective in increasing the health of the heart. Thus, improves the condition of myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Dosage – 2 Capsules two times a day with plain water, after meals.

4. Gotu Kola Capsules

Gotukola capsules are prepared using the herbal extract of a very beneficial ayurvedic herb i.e. Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica). Mandukaparni helps to improve cardiac health. It contains various antioxidant properties and helps to revitalize the body. Gotukola is a tridosha shamak agent. It helps to manage cardiac debility and improves blood circulation.

Dose – 1 Capsule two times a day with plain water, after meals.

CONCLUSION

After gathering all the above information, in a nutshell it can be concluded that the healthy state of the heart is very important in maintaining the overall health of the body. There are various ayurvedic herbs and formulations that can be used to maintain the heart in a healthy state as mentioned above. The person should always follow a healthy diet and lifestyle to keep the heart in a healthy condition. The above mentioned Ayurvedic formulations along with the healthy diet help in managing the condition of myxomatous mitral valve disease very effectively.