Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease, is the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart (coronary) arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Although the narrowing can be caused by a blood clot or by constriction of the blood vessel, most often it is caused by build up of plaque, called atherosclerosis. However, as the atherosclerosis progresses, especially if left untreated, symptoms may occur. They are most likely to occur during exercise or emotional stress, when the demand for the oxygen carried by the blood increases. symptoms include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, chest pain and pressure, known as angina, heart palpitations, swelling in the legs and feet, swelling in the abdomen, cough or congestion,difficulty sleeping.
Ruthra rogam or thamaraga noi in Siddha System of medicine is caused due to increased vatham in the place of the heart which causes pain, dyspnoea, fatigue, pedal odema. Diets and habits which increase the vatham are known to cause ruthra rogam.