Abstract
Globally, coronary artery disease (CAD) is the foremost cause of death. Its frequency is also rising rapidly in underdeveloped nations. It remains the leading cause of morbidity and death despite tremendous advancements in diagnostics and intervention. Therefore, an integrated approach is required, along with the search for a drug having cardio protective and rejuvenating property. According to Ayurveda, Terminalia arjuna is a known hridya (Cardio protecting) herb. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Terminalia arjuna improves cardiac function in CAD patients. This medication was administered as an adjunct to the medications that the cardiologist had prescribed. It is an experimental, parallel group study. Patients with coronary artery disease between the ages of 40 and 70 years were randomly assigned to both groups. In one group, typical conventional care was given, and the second group received Terminalia arjuna stem bark with conventional treatment. The course of treatment was ninety days. It is observed that most of the patients were of kapha-pittaj or pitta-kaphaj prakriti (specific body constitution). There were no significant changes in blood pressure and pulse rate and significant improvement in 6-minute walk test, ejection fraction, total cholesterol and triglycerides in comparison with standard group. From the observation, it can be concluded that Terminalia arjuna helps in improving cardiac function in patients of coronary artery disease.
Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease, Ejection Fraction, Hridya, Terminalia Arjuna, 6MWT.