REVIEW ON HYPERTENSION – AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Kunal A. Gawande*, Madhumati Nawkar, Rajnandini S. Deshmukh and Shailesh Nawkar

ABSTRACT

Hypertension, a pervasive modern affliction, affects millions globally. Ayurveda, India's ancient holistic medical system, offers unique insights into its management. This study explores hypertension through the Ayurvedic lens, examining its similarities with Raktachapa (Vascular disorders). Ayurvedic principles attribute hypertension to Dosha imbalances, particularly Pitta and Kapha, and lifestyle factors like stress, diet, and sedentary habits. Ayurvedic management strategies include Diet modification (Avoiding salty, sour, and fermented foods), Herbal remedies (Arjuna, Ashwagandha, and Guggulu), Panchakarma detoxification, Yoga and stress management, Lifestyle adjustments (Dinacharya and ritucharya) This research highlights Ayurveda's potential in addressing hypertension's root causes, promoting holistic well-being, and preventing complications. By integrating Ayurvedic principles with modern medicine, healthcare. practitioners can develop comprehensive treatment plans for hypertension management. Over the past three decades, rapid modernization has led to increasingly stressful lifestyles, contributing to the alarming rise of hypertension. According to projections, 29.2% of the global adult population will suffer from hypertension by 2025, with India being labeled the "global capital of hypertension." Worryingly, lifestyle disorders now affect younger populations, shifting the risk demographic from 40+ to 30+ or even younger. Hypertension results from factors like stress, obesity, genetics, excessive salt consumption, and aging. As a "silent killer," hypertension often lacks symptoms until it damages vital organs like the heart, brain, or kidneys. Despite modern medicine's potent antihypertensive drugs, their side effects remain a concern. Ayurveda prioritizes maintaining good health through a balanced lifestyle. Although Ayurvedic texts don't explicitly describe hypertension, physicians can understand its nature through Dosha, Dushya, and Samprapti analysis. This research paper aims to interpret hypertension from an Ayurvedic perspective, facilitating effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Keywords: Hypertension, Lifestyle Disorders, Raktachapa, Ayurveda, Silent Killer.