ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE AND ITS AYURVEDIC CORRELATION WITH VATAJ HRIDROGA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE (2000–2026)

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Ayurvedic literature describes cardiac disorders under Hridroga, among which Vataj Hridroga shows close similarity with IHD. Objective: To systematically review published clinical evidence regarding Ayurvedic interventions in IHD and their correlation with Vataj Hridroga. Materials and Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and AYUSH Research Portal were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2026. Clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, and case series evaluating Ayurvedic interventions in IHD were included. Results: A total of 136 records were identified. After screening and eligibility assessment, six studies were included. Most studies evaluated Terminalia arjuna either as a single intervention or as part of integrative therapy. Improvements were reported in angina frequency, lipid profile, exercise tolerance, ECG parameters, and quality of life. Conclusion: Available evidence suggests potential benefits of Ayurvedic interventions in the management of IHD. However, larger well-designed randomized clinical trials are required to establish definitive efficacy.