Role of Virechana Karma as a Cardioprotective Modality: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular disorders lead to many deaths worldwide due to strokes and heart attacks, with dyslipidaemia being the main risk factor. This condition is similar to Medo Rog (disorder of fat metabolism) in Ayurveda. Other recognised metabolic risk factors for CVDs include diabetes, Hypertension (HTN), obesity, and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The present review aimed to assess the effectiveness of Virechana Karma (therapeutic purgation) as a cardioprotective method by examining its impact on key metabolic risk factors. Virechana Karma demonstrates significant potential to regulate lipid imbalances, serve as a primary therapy for eliminating vitiated Pitta and Kapha Doshas, and improve Agni. This holistic biopurification approach could be an effective alternative or supplementary therapy for managing the main pathophysiological elements of CVDs, acting as a cardioprotective strategy.