Heart disease is a disease caused by dysfunction of the heart organ. Either due to blocked blood vessels, weak heart muscles, rhythm disturbances, or valve abnormalities.
The main risk factors include high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking, and an unhealthy lifestyle.
This disease is often called a silent killer because the symptoms are sometimes not felt until serious complications occur.
Therefore, many people seek supportive therapy, one of which is sunnah cupping for heart disease.
Types of Heart Disease
There are various types of heart disease that people commonly experience, and their symptoms and causes are quite diverse. Here's a complete explanation;
1. Endocarditis
Endocarditis is a serious condition involving infection of the inner lining of the heart called the endocardium.
This infection is usually caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream, either through a wound or an infection elsewhere in the body.
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, including fever, joint pain, unusual fatigue, swelling, and shortness of breath.
Endocarditis can lead to heart valve damage, heart abscess, or even stroke if not treated quickly.
Treatment usually involves intravenous antibiotics and in some cases, surgery to repair heart damage caused by the infection.
2. Heart Attack
A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is suddenly cut off.
Usually caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries, the symptoms of a heart attack are usually very distinctive.
These include chest pain that can radiate to the arms, back, neck, or jaw, as well as shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.
Without immediate treatment, a heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart or even death.
Immediate treatment usually involves medication, clot-dissolving therapy, or surgical procedures such as coronary angioplasty and stent placement.
3. Heart Failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.
This can be caused by a variety of conditions, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or heart valve disease.
Symptoms range from unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling of the feet and ankles, to weight gain due to fluid buildup in the body.
Heart failure can be managed through lifestyle changes, use of medications, or surgical procedures.
Such as pacemaker installation or heart transplant, depending on the severity.
4. Heart tumor
This is a rare condition where abnormal growths occur in the heart. Tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Symptoms are often not visible in the early stages and can vary depending on the location, size, and type of tumor.
Some possible symptoms include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue.
The causes of heart tumors can vary, benign tumors may occur due to blood vessel abnormalities or heart cells that develop abnormally.
While malignant tumors may be the result of the spread of cancer from another part of the body or the formation of cancer in the heart itself.
Heart tumors can disrupt normal blood flow in the heart, causing serious complications such as blood clots or pulmonary embolism.
5. Heart Rhythm Disorders
Heart rhythm disorders involve abnormalities in the heartbeat, including beating too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly.
The most common type of rhythm disturbance is atrial fibrillation, in which the atria of the heart beat irregularly.
Symptoms of heart rhythm disorders can vary depending on the type and severity of the disorder, but may include a heart that feels irregular, dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath.
The causes of heart rhythm disturbances can vary, including genetic factors, high blood pressure, structural heart disease, or heart damage due to disease or trauma.
Untreated heart rhythm disturbances can increase the risk of serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
6. Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease is a structural abnormality of the heart that is present from birth.
This disorder can affect various parts of the heart, including the heart walls, heart valves, or blood vessels.
Symptoms of congenital heart disease can vary depending on the type and severity of the abnormality.
But they may include cyanosis (bluish skin), shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or swelling of certain parts of the body.
The exact cause of congenital heart disease is often unknown, but genetic factors, exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, or infections occurring during fetal development may play a role.
Treatment for congenital heart disease depends on the type and severity of the defect, and may include medical treatment, surgical intervention, or other medical procedures.
7. Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy affects the heart muscle causing the heart to become enlarged, stiff, or weak.
This interferes with its ability to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.
Cardiomyopathy can be divided into several types, including dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic right ventricle.
The causes of cardiomyopathy can vary, including genetic factors, viral or bacterial infections, excessive alcohol consumption, and autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms of cardiomyopathy include excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the ankles or feet, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain.
Treatment of cardiomyopathy depends on the type and severity of the disease, but may include the use of medications, medical procedures, or in severe cases, a heart transplant.
8. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the outer layer of the heart called the pericardium.
This can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, injury, autoimmune diseases, or some types of cancer.
Symptoms of pericarditis often include sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Diagnosis is usually based on clinical history, physical examination, and medical tests such as an electrocardiogram or blood tests.
Treatment of pericarditis depends on the cause, but may include anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, or in rare cases, drainage of fluid from the pericardial cavity.
9. Heart Valve Disease
Heart valve disease is a condition in which one or more heart valves do not function properly.
This can occur due to congenital abnormalities, disease, infection, or aging.
A damaged or leaking heart valve can result in abnormal blood flow, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat.
Diagnosis usually involves a physical examination, an electrocardiogram, or imaging tests such as an echocardiogram.
Treatment for heart valve disease usually includes the use of medications to control symptoms or surgery to repair or replace the damaged valve.
10. Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is an arterial disease in which the coronary blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked.
This can be caused by a buildup of plaque on the artery walls, which is made up of cholesterol, fat, and other materials.
Symptoms of CHD include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue.
Risk factors for CHD include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight, and other unhealthy lifestyles.
Treatment for coronary heart disease includes lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, the use of medications to control blood pressure and cholesterol, and medical procedures such as angioplasty or heart bypass if necessary.
Benefits of Wet Cupping for Heart Disease
Cupping (hijamah) is a sunnah therapy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which is carried out by removing static blood (dirty blood) through the surface of the skin by means of scratches (thin incisions of 0.9 mm).
This therapy is believed to provide benefits for heart disease sufferers, including:
1. Improves blood circulation
Cupping helps improve circulation so that oxygen supply to the heart is more optimal.
2. Lowers Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Several studies show that cupping can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and balance blood pressure.
3. Reduces Mental Pressure (Stress)
Stress is a contributing factor to heart disease. Cupping has a relaxing effect, thus supporting mental and physical health.
4. Increase Body Metabolism
Smooth blood circulation makes the body's metabolism more balanced, thereby easing the work of the heart.
Sunnah Cupping for Heart Disease
In an authentic hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ said:
"Indeed, the best treatment for you is hijamah (cupping)" (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
For heart patients, cupping points that are often used include:
- Nape of the neck (al kahil) - the main point of sunnah cupping
- Upper and middle back – improves blood circulation
- Upper chest (carefully and only by expert and professional therapists)
- This cupping point helps smooth blood flow to the heart but should only be done by experts.
Conclusion
Cupping is a sunnah therapy that can help improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and support heart health.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regularly cupping according to the sunnah, and praying to Allah, God willing, heart disease sufferers can be healthy and normal.
