In Ayurveda, Hridaya (cardiac region) is one of the Trimarma (three main vital organs) being also a Sadyapranahara Marma (Marma which is vulnerable for the loss of life immediately after an injury), one of the ten Prana Ayatanani (seats of life energy). It is the seat of many vital factors such as Chetana (consciousness), Manas (Mind), Triguna (three qualities of mind Raja,Tama,Sattva), Buddhi (intelligence), Ojas (essence of seven main body tissues), Rasa (nourishing element), Vayu (Prana and Vyana). All the above energetical, anatomical, mental and neurological elements have to be considered for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardio-vascular diseases.
There is much more to Hridaya (heart) than a four chambered muscular organ pumping blood. According to Ayurveda, heart diseases have a strong mental aspect. The main treatment principle is cautious purification and palliation according to the vitiated Dosha (s) followed by specific Rasayana (rejuvenation) therapies.