Abstract

ASSOCIATION OF TRISHNA VEGADHARANA (THIRST SUPPRESSION) WITH HEART FAILURE - A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Dr. Swathy Krishna* and Dr. Mini P.

ABSTRACT

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have emerged as the leading cause of death in India, accounting for a significant proportion of mortality. Heart failure (HF), a leading cause of death with a prevalence rate of 1%, is often linked to these risk factors. Ayurvedic texts describe cardiovascular diseases as "Hridroga," One among the common causative factor for Hridroga is Trishna Vegadharana (Thirst suppression) While medical literature suggests a link between thirst suppression and heart disease, there is a lack of concrete studies in Ayurveda to support this claim. This study aims to investigate the potential role of thirst suppression as a risk factor for heart failure using a case-control design Objective: The present study is designed to assess and evaluate the association of Trishna vegadharana(Thirst suppression) with HF. Methodology: A case-control study was conducted at the Cardiology OPD of Government Medical College, Pariyaram, Kannur, to examine the association between Thirst suppression and heart failure. 40 Cases and 40 controls were selected based on specific criteria. Data was collected via structured questionnaires and medical record reviews Analysis determined a significant cut-off for thirst suppression, with results presented in tables and graphs. Chi-square tests and Odds ratios assessed the association and its strength, offering insights into the relationship between thirst suppression and heart failure. Results: A statistically significant association was identified between Thirst suppression and heart failure, with an odds ratio of 10.51, indicating a strong link. Additional factors, including co-morbidities, family history, drug history, and smoking, also showed significant associations. Over 75% of patients developed heart failure within 5 years, with manual laborers, Gulf returnees, and businessmen being the predominant groups, influenced by strenuous physical work, poor dietary habits, and high stress levels. Notably, female patients often suppressed thirst due to time constraints during household work. A significant proportion of participants (60% of cases and 12.5% of controls) exceeded the cut-off score for thirst suppression, further highlighting its potential role in heart failure development. Conclusion: The study findings suggest a significant link between thirst suppression and an increased risk of developing heart failure, indicating a significant association between the two conditions.

Keywords: Trishna vega, Hridroga, Heart failure, Case-Control study.