Can Centella Asiatica Help Cardiac Arrest Survivors and their Emotional Symptoms?

Key Points:

• Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola is beneficial for brain and heart
• Cardiac arrest can increase your risk of emotional symptoms
• Naturopathic medicine can improve heart and emotional health
• You will get the best results with individualization of your dose to your particular needs

If you’ve survived a cardiac arrest, you know that it can have a profound impact on your physical and mental health. In addition to the physical damage that can be caused by a cardiac arrest, many survivors also experience cognitive and emotional problems.

One herb that may be able to help cardiac arrest survivors improve their cognitive and emotional health is Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola. Centella asiatica has been shown to have a number of benefits for the brain and cardiovascular system, including:

• Improved cognitive function
• Reduced anxiety and depression
• Increased blood flow to the brain
• Improved heart health

According to the 2022 Heart and Stroke Statistics, about 90% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) are fatal. If you are one of the lucky few who survive, you may be at risk for neuropsychological diseases.

Neuropsychological diseases are a group of conditions that affect the brain and nervous system. They can cause a wide range of symptoms, including cognitive decline, memory problems, mood disorders, and difficulty with movement.

Cardiac arrest can lead to neuropsychological diseases in a number of ways. The lack of oxygen to the brain during cardiac arrest can damage brain cells. This damage can lead to cognitive decline, memory problems, and other symptoms.

In addition, cardiac arrest can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. These conditions can also damage brain cells and lead to neuropsychological diseases.

However, according to a naturopathic practitioner, Dr. Nicole Cain, the naturopathic approach and holistic interventions have significant positive effects on different types of secondary brain injuries and cardiac events.

In this article, we will discuss the effectiveness of the herb Centella asiatica, also known as gotu kola, as a naturopathic solution for improving cardiovascular health and cognitive ability after experiencing cardiac arrest.

Neuropsychological Diseases & Cardiac Arrest

It may be difficult to see the link between cardiac events and neuropsychological diseases at first glance, but recent studies have shown that more and more patients experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues after experiencing ischemic brain injury.

For example, a study published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders in 2020 found that there is a strong potential for cognitive impairment and emotional problems after cardiac arrest. A 2022 mini-review published in Frontiers of Psychology also found that cardiac arrest survivors are vulnerable to developing hypoxic brain injury and long-term cognitive dysfunction.

While post-cardiac patients tend to focus on cognitive dysfunction, emotional and mental health problems that accompany the arrest can also have a significant impact on their quality of life. Unfortunately, this dramatic event can also have a drastic impact on the psychological well-being of patients by decreasing their mood and developing anxiety issues. In fact, Dr. Paula Harvey, the head of the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, says that about 40% of women who have experienced cardiac arrest develop mental health disorders. Therefore, it is important to understand the link between heart and brain function after cardiac events.

Depression and Cardiac Arrest

Depression is a significant risk factor for cardiac arrest, even for people who have never had a heart attack. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with depression are twice as likely to have a cardiac arrest as people without depression.

The link between depression and cardiac arrest is likely due to a number of factors, including:

• Impaired heart function: Depression can lead to changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and other factors that can increase the risk of cardiac arrest.
• Reduced physical activity: People with depression are less likely to be physically active, which can also increase the risk of cardiac arrest.
• Poor diet: People with depression are more likely to eat a poor diet, which can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and other risk factors for cardiac arrest.
• Alcohol and drug abuse: People with depression are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, which can also increase the risk of cardiac arrest.

According to Milena A. Gebska, M.D., Ph.D., a clinical researcher at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, depression is a significant risk factor even for people who haven’t experienced cardiac events before. However, experiencing heart disease drastically increases the chances of developing depression symptoms

If you take a look at the case of a case of a 41-year-old female with ischemic brain damage developed after cardiac events, it is easy to see how mood stability is crucially linked to brain and cardiovascular health. Holistic interventions can positively influence these side effects. However, before we discuss the effects of the plant Centella asiatica, let’s first explore the connection between hypoxia and brain function.

Hypoxia is a condition in which the brain does not receive enough oxygen. This can happen during a cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating and blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Hypoxia can damage brain cells and lead to a variety of problems, including cognitive decline, memory problems, and mood disorders.

Centella asiatica is a plant that has been shown to have neuroprotective effects. It can help to protect brain cells from damage caused by hypoxia and other factors. Centella asiatica has also been shown to improve cognitive function and mood in people with a variety of conditions, including cardiac arrest survivors.

If you are a cardiac arrest survivor, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about using Centella asiatica. It may be able to help you improve your cognitive function and mood and reduce your risk of developing further problems.

How Can Hypoxia Affect the Brain?

Hypoxia is a condition in which the brain does not receive enough oxygen. This can happen during a cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating and blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Hypoxia can damage brain cells and lead to a variety of problems, including cognitive decline, memory problems, and mood disorders.

The effects of hypoxia on the brain are especially common in the cortex and basal ganglia. The cortex is the outer layer of the brain, and it is responsible for higher-level functions such as thinking, planning, and decision-making. The basal ganglia are a group of structures deep in the brain, and they are involved in movement, learning, and emotions.

Hypoxia can also damage areas of the brain that are responsible for long-term cognitive functioning, such as the hippocampus, thalamus, and brainstem. The hippocampus is involved in memory formation, the thalamus is involved in sensory processing, and the brainstem is involved in basic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

The link between cardiac arrest and neuropsychological diseases is important because the basal ganglia play a significant role  in the pathology of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Hypoxia can damage the basal ganglia and lead to an increased risk of developing these disorders.

One possible solution to the problem of hypoxic brain injury is the induction of a therapeutic hypothermic state. This involves cooling the body to a low temperature in order to reduce the metabolic rate and protect brain cells from damage. However, this treatment may not benefit cognitive function in the long term.

Another approach to treating hypoxic brain injury is the use of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health that focuses on treating the whole person, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Naturopathic doctors may use a variety of treatments, including herbs, supplements, and lifestyle changes, to help improve cognitive function and mood in people with hypoxic brain injury.

Naturopathic Approaches to Improve Neuropsychological Diseases After Cardiac Events

Recent studies suggest that one of the most effective approaches to prevent the effects of ischemia on the brain after patients experience cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular events is a naturopathic approach. Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health that focuses on treating the whole person, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Naturopathic doctors use a variety of treatments, including herbs, supplements, lifestyle changes, and counseling, to help their patients improve their overall health and well-being.

One of the key goals of naturopathic medicine is to help patients identify and address the underlying causes of their health problems. In the case of neuropsychological diseases after cardiac events, this may include factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrient deficiencies.

Naturopathic doctors may use a variety of treatments to address these underlying causes, including:

• Herbs: Certain herbs, such as Centella asiatica, have been shown to have neuroprotective effects. These herbs may help to protect brain cells from damage caused by ischemia and other factors.
• Supplements: Certain supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10, have also been shown to have neuroprotective effects. These supplements may help to improve cognitive function and reduce inflammation.
• Lifestyle changes: Naturopathic doctors may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress, to help improve neuropsychological outcomes after cardiac events.

In addition to treating the underlying causes of neuropsychological diseases, naturopathic doctors may also provide counseling to help patients cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cardiac events. This counseling may help patients to understand their condition, develop coping mechanisms, and improve their quality of life.

Cognitive Benefits of Centella Asiatica

Centella asiatica (CA), also known as gotu kola, is an herbaceous plant native to Asia. It has a wide range of benefits, including improving cognitive function and enhancing memory performance. CA also positively affects the cardiovascular and neurological systems, which is why modern naturopathic doctors often consider it one of the most effective alternative forms of medicine for post-cardiac patient.

A 2009 study found that using 100 mg/kg of Centella asiatica for 28 days reduced behavioral, cognitive, and histopathological changes in individuals who had cerebrovascular insufficiency after cardiac arrest. The study also found that the effects of Centella asiatica were similar to those of diazepam, a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication.

Specifically, Centella asiatica was found to improve working memory, enhance stress tolerance, reduce the risk of ischemic injury, decrease lipid peroxidation, improve coordination, reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, and reduce histopathological changes.

These findings suggest that CA may be a useful treatment for improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of further neurological damage in post-cardiac patients. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal dosage and duration of treatment.

A 2012 study published in the journal Stroke found that Centella asiatica (CA), specifically the triterpene constituents of the plant, is an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. CA protects the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in post-ischemic patients.

Furthermore, a 2018 study published in the journal Brain and Behavior showed that Centella asiatica can improve the overall function of memory and promote neuronal health as a result of increasing synaptic densit

While the neuroprotective effects of Centella asiatica are important reasons to use it as a holistic treatment solution, studies also prove its effectiveness in cardiovascular health. Specifically, CA has been shown to improve cardiac functioning in patients who survived cardiac arrest.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, naturopathic medicine can be an effective way to manage neuropsychological diseases after cardiac arrest. In particular, Centella asiatica (CA) is a plant that can be used to improve cognitive function, regulate mood, and promote cardiovascular health.

However, there are two important things to keep in mind if you are considering using Centella asiatica:

• The dosage of CA should be individualized based on your specific condition.
• It is important to use Centella asiatica under the supervision of a naturopathic physician. This will help you maximize the benefits of CA and avoid any potential side effects.