Heart Disease & Blocks
Heart disease is a broad term covering conditions that affect the heart muscle, heart valves, coronary arteries and the electrical system that controls the heartbeat. For patients, however, the terminology can become confusing.
You may be told that you have a “heart blockage” after an angiogram. Someone else may be told they have a “heart block” after an ECG.
Although the words sound similar, they can refer to two very different problems.
A coronary artery blockage involves blood flow to the heart muscle.
An electrical heart block involves the signals that control the heartbeat.
Understanding exactly what your doctor means by “block” is an important first step toward understanding your condition.
At Omshree Sidha Hospital in Kerala, cardiovascular care is one of the areas in which the hospital provides Ayurvedic consultation and treatment. Omshree's practice is rooted in a 140+ year Ayurvedic healing legacy, with patients from India and abroad seeking care for a range of chronic health conditions.
1What Is a Heart Blockage?
A coronary artery blockage usually refers to narrowing or obstruction in one or more of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
The coronary arteries can become narrowed when plaque builds up inside their walls. This process is known as atherosclerosis.
As the artery becomes narrower, the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart muscle may be reduced.
A complete blockage of a coronary artery can result in a heart attack.
This is why a percentage written on an angiography report needs to be understood in its clinical context.
2What Is Heart Block?
Heart block is different from a blocked coronary artery.
Heart block refers to a problem with the electrical signals that tell the heart when to beat.
Normally, electrical signals travel through the heart in an organized pattern.
With atrioventricular, or AV, heart block, these signals may be delayed or may not pass normally from the upper chambers to the lower chambers.
There are different types of heart block, and their significance can vary.
Coronary Blockage and Heart Block Are Not the Same
This distinction is particularly important if you are researching your diagnosis online.
| Coronary artery blockage | Electrical heart block |
|---|---|
| Involves the blood vessels supplying the heart | Involves the electrical conduction system |
| Can reduce blood flow to heart muscle | Can interfere with the timing of the heartbeat |
| Often associated with coronary artery disease | Can involve AV conduction abnormalities |
| May be evaluated using coronary imaging and other cardiac tests | ECG is a key diagnostic test |
| Treatment depends on severity and clinical situation | Treatment depends on type, cause and symptoms |
So if you have been told that you have a “heart block” or “heart blockage,” the first question should be:
Which condition has actually been diagnosed?
Classification of Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease can involve one or more coronary arteries. Patients may hear terms such as:
The number or percentage of a blockage does not provide the complete picture by itself.
The location of the narrowing, its effect on blood flow, symptoms and other findings all matter.
This is why a report saying “70% blockage”, for example, should not be interpreted without understanding which artery is affected and what the rest of the cardiac assessment shows.
Causes
Causes of Coronary Artery Blockage
Coronary artery disease most commonly develops through atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis occurs when fats, cholesterol and other substances accumulate in the walls of arteries and form plaque.
As plaque builds up, the arteries can become narrower and blood flow can be reduced. Factors associated with coronary artery disease include:
High Blood Pressure
Long-standing high blood pressure can contribute to damage within the arteries and increase cardiovascular risk.
High Cholesterol
Higher levels of certain blood lipids can contribute to plaque formation.
Diabetes
Diabetes and insulin resistance are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
Smoking can damage blood vessels and increase cardiovascular risk.
Physical Inactivity
Low levels of physical activity are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Excess Body Weight
Excess body weight can contribute to several cardiovascular risk factors.
Increasing Age
The risk of coronary artery disease generally increases with age.
Family History
A family history of heart disease can contribute to an individual's cardiovascular risk.
Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that a person definitely has a coronary blockage.
Causes of Heart Block
Electrical heart block can have several different causes. These may include:
- Previous heart attack
- Heart disease or damage affecting the conduction system
- Certain infections
- Thyroid disorders
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Inflammatory conditions
- Certain medicines that slow heart rate or electrical conduction
- Changes associated with the heart's electrical conduction system
Some causes may be reversible, while others may represent an ongoing problem with the heart's conduction system.
A healthcare professional needs to determine the underlying cause rather than assuming that every heart block has the same explanation.
Symptoms of Heart Disease & Blockages
Symptoms vary depending on the type of condition and its severity.
Some people may have significant cardiovascular disease with few noticeable symptoms, while others may experience symptoms during everyday activities.
What Happens When a Coronary Artery Becomes Completely Blocked?
A complete blockage of a coronary artery can interrupt blood flow to part of the heart muscle. If blood flow is not restored, the affected heart muscle can become damaged.
This can result in a heart attack, which is a medical emergency.
Possible symptoms can include:
- Chest pressure or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweating
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Pain or discomfort spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw
Symptoms can vary, and some people may experience less typical symptoms or very few symptoms.
If you suspect a heart attack, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Treating the Underlying Cause
Treatment depends on the actual condition, its severity and the individual's clinical situation. A coronary artery blockage and an electrical heart block require different approaches.
Coronary Artery Disease
Depending on the individual situation, treatment may include:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medicines
- Coronary angioplasty and stent placement
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
Not every patient requires a procedure.
The appropriate approach depends on factors such as symptoms, anatomy, disease severity, blood flow and overall clinical assessment.
Electrical Heart Block
Treatment depends on:
- Type of heart block
- Symptoms
- Underlying cause
- Heart rate
- Whether the cause can be reversed
- Other cardiac findings
Some patients may only need monitoring, while certain forms of heart block may require pacing or a permanent pacemaker.
Managing Heart Disease & Blocks
Managing cardiovascular health is usually not about one treatment or one number. It may involve several areas of care.
Medical Management
Depending on the diagnosis, a healthcare professional may prescribe medicines to address issues such as:
If you are already taking cardiac medication, do not stop or change it without discussing the decision with your treating healthcare professional.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Heart-healthy lifestyle measures can support cardiovascular health. These may include:
- Avoiding tobacco
- Eating a balanced diet
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Managing blood pressure
- Managing cholesterol
- Managing diabetes
- Appropriate physical activity
- Managing stress
- Maintaining adequate sleep
The right lifestyle plan depends on the individual's medical condition.
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity can be part of cardiovascular health management. However, the appropriate level of exercise is different for every patient.
People with significant coronary disease, active symptoms, severe heart dysfunction or certain rhythm and conduction problems may require medical assessment before increasing physical activity.
Exercise recommendations should therefore be individualized.
Regular Monitoring
Depending on the diagnosis, monitoring may involve:
Regular monitoring helps healthcare professionals understand whether the condition is stable and whether additional evaluation or treatment is required.
Ayurvedic Care at Omshree
If you are exploring Ayurveda for a cardiovascular condition, the first step should be understanding your diagnosis and reviewing your available medical information.
At Omshree Sidha Hospital, the consultation process can begin with the patient's medical history and relevant cardiac reports.
This may include:
- The diagnosis
- Current symptoms
- Previous cardiac treatment
- Current medicines
- ECG and echocardiogram reports
- Coronary imaging, where applicable
- Other relevant investigations
- Other health conditions
This information helps the clinical team understand the individual situation before discussing whether Ayurvedic care is appropriate.
An important distinction
A treatment approach for coronary artery disease should not automatically be presented as the same treatment approach for electrical heart block. They are different medical conditions.
Any Omshree-specific treatment protocol, medicine, therapy or expected outcome for Heart Disease & Blocks should therefore be based on the hospital's clinically validated protocol.
Ayurvedic Medicines
Ayurvedic medicines should be considered according to the individual patient's diagnosis, health condition and existing treatment.
For cardiovascular patients, the clinical team should determine:
- Which medicines are appropriate
- Which condition they are intended for
- How they are incorporated into care
- Relevant precautions
- How they are considered alongside conventional cardiac medication
Patients should provide the clinical team with a complete list of their current medicines.
Do not stop or replace prescribed cardiac medicines without appropriate medical advice.
Panchakarma & Ayurvedic Therapies
Ayurvedic therapies may form part of an individualized treatment plan for some patients.
The specific therapy should depend on:
Omshree's existing cardiovascular material discusses therapies such as Abhyanga, Kizhi and Hrudaya Basti in relation to its Low EF treatment approach. These should not automatically be described as treatments for every form of coronary blockage or electrical heart block.
For Heart Disease & Blocks, the hospital's clinical team should confirm:
- Which therapies are used
- Why they are used
- Which patients may be considered
- How they fit into the overall treatment plan
- Relevant precautions
- How progress is monitored
Yoga & Supportive Practices
Yoga, breathing practices and stress-management approaches may form part of an individualized wellness plan for some cardiovascular patients.
However, the specific practices should be selected according to the patient's medical condition and clinical guidance.
Patients with significant cardiac disease should not begin strenuous exercise or breath-holding practices without appropriate professional guidance.
Diagnosis & Tests
The diagnostic process begins with understanding the patient's symptoms, medical history and cardiovascular risk factors.
Depending on the suspected condition, healthcare professionals may evaluate:
The appropriate tests depend on the suspected diagnosis.
Tests for Heart Disease & Blocks
1. Electrocardiogram — ECG/EKG
An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart.
It is a key test for identifying electrical conduction problems such as AV heart block.
2. Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart. It can provide information about:
- Heart chambers & Heart muscle
- Heart valves & Blood flow
- Overall heart function & Ejection fraction
It may be used when evaluating different types of heart disease.
3. Holter Monitoring
A Holter monitor records heart rhythm over a longer period.
It can be useful when an electrical abnormality occurs intermittently and is not captured during a short ECG.
4. Blood Tests
Blood tests may be used to assess factors such as:
- Cholesterol & Blood sugar
- Other cardiovascular risk factors
- Possible causes of electrical conduction problems
The specific tests depend on the clinical situation.
5. Stress Testing
A stress test evaluates how the heart responds during physical activity.
It may be considered when symptoms occur with exertion or when additional assessment of blood flow and heart function is appropriate.
6. Coronary Imaging
Depending on the situation, coronary artery disease may be evaluated using tests such as:
- Cardiac CT
- Coronary angiography
- Cardiac catheterization
- Other cardiac imaging
The appropriate test depends on the patient's symptoms and clinical findings.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
There is no single treatment timeline for every patient with heart disease or a blockage.
The duration of care depends on:
- Type of condition
- Severity
- Underlying cause
- Symptoms
- Existing treatment
- Other health conditions
- Response to treatment
- Monitoring requirements
For this reason, Omshree-specific treatment duration should be discussed after individual clinical assessment.
A fixed number of days or months should not be assumed for every patient.
Heart Disease, Heart Block, Low EF & Heart Failure
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably by patients, but they describe different things.
Coronary Artery Disease
A disease affecting the arteries supplying blood to the heart.
Coronary Artery Blockage
Describes narrowing or obstruction within a coronary artery.
Heart Block
Refers to a problem with the electrical conduction system.
Cardiomyopathy
Refers to disease affecting the heart muscle.
Low Ejection Fraction
Describes reduced pumping function of the left ventricle.
Heart Failure
Describes a clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot adequately meet the body's needs.
These conditions can occur together, but one term should not automatically be used to diagnose another.
For example, coronary artery disease can damage heart muscle and contribute to reduced heart function, while some heart conditions can also affect the electrical conduction system.
Understanding which condition you actually have is therefore essential.
Why Omshree?
When considering Ayurvedic care for a chronic cardiovascular condition, patients often want to know more than just the treatment.
They want to know who they are placing their care with.
Omshree Sidha Hospital's Ayurvedic practice is built around a 140+ year healing legacy, carried through a lineage of Vaidyars. The hospital currently states that it has treated 5,000+ patients overall, offers 50+ specialized treatments, and has 5+ government patents.
The hospital also provides care for patients from India and abroad, with online video consultations, email follow-ups and personal consultations available.
A 140+ Year Ayurvedic Legacy
Omshree's history is part of what shapes its approach to Ayurvedic care today.
The hospital traces its tradition through a lineage of Vaidyars and describes its practice as being rooted in more than 140 years of Ayurvedic healing.
For a patient dealing with a heart condition, however, heritage is only one part of the decision.
The other part is understanding:
- What is my diagnosis?
- What do my reports show?
- What treatment am I already receiving?
- Is Ayurvedic care appropriate for my situation?
- What should happen next?
Those questions should form the basis of the consultation.
For cardiovascular patients, this experience should begin with understanding the individual diagnosis—not with assuming that every patient requires the same Ayurvedic approach.
That is why medical reports and existing treatment are an important part of the consultation process.
Hospital Stay & Online Consultation
The appropriate treatment setting depends on the patient's condition and the clinical plan.
Patients can begin by discussing their condition with the Omshree team and providing relevant medical reports.
For patients who cannot immediately travel to Kerala, an online consultation can be an initial step for discussing the available information.
For international patients, this can also help them understand the next steps before making travel arrangements.
Omshree currently provides online video consultations, email-based follow-ups and personal in-clinic consultations.
International Patients
If you are considering travelling to Kerala for Ayurvedic care, you can begin with an online consultation before planning your journey. It can be useful to prepare:
Sharing these reports can help the clinical team understand your medical history before discussing the next step.
For an international patient, this also gives you an opportunity to understand the consultation process before committing to travel.
What Should You Understand Before Considering Treatment?
If you have been told that you have a heart blockage or heart block, start with these questions:
- What exactly has been diagnosed?
- Is it a coronary artery blockage or an electrical heart block?
- Which test identified it?
- How significant is the finding?
- What symptoms are present?
- What is the underlying cause?
- What treatment has already been recommended?
- What medicines are you currently taking?
- What monitoring is required?
- Is the condition stable, or does it require urgent treatment?
Understanding these questions can help you make sense of your reports and have a more informed discussion with your healthcare team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discuss Your Condition With Omshree
If you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, a coronary artery blockage or an electrical heart block and would like to explore Ayurvedic care, you can begin by sharing your medical history and relevant cardiac reports with the Omshree clinical team.