Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Benefit People Suffering From Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart attack all share the same pathogenesis.

1. Hypertension – A condition in which your blood pressure is abnormally elevated.
2. Atherosclerosis- A condition that occurs when the arteries are narrowed due to the buildup of fatty tissue and the hardening of the blood vessels.
3. Coronary heart disease, including angina pectoris – A type of cardiovascular condition caused by an interruption of blood flow to the heart.
4. Stroke – Caused by disruption of blood flow to the brain.
5. Heart attack – Also called myocardial infarction. Heart attack happens due to the sudden death of a portion of the heart muscle as a result of blood supply blockage to the heart.

All these diseases are associated with issues involving the brain, heart, and blood circulation within the vascular system. They are also related to the irregular blockage of blood flow in the body.

Normal blood circulation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory is based on the smooth movement of Liver Qi, the driving force of Heart Qi, balance of Yin and Yang, and the healthy transportation and transformation of body fluids and blood or Spleen Qi. Blood is the mother of Qi and Qi is the governor of Blood. The major pathological factors that negatively influence blood circulation include:

Blood Stasis and Liver Qi stagnation
Phlegm with deficient Spleen Qi blocking the Vessels and Heart
Deficient Heart Yang and Qi with buildup of coldness

The Patterns of Disharmony of Cardiovascular Diseases

In TCM, disease treatments and prevention are very much customized based on the differentiation of patterns and diagnosis of the disease. This article will deal with the most common patterns of cardiovascular diseases to provide the reader with a basic knowledge about the cause, prevention, and remedies of these health issues, based on TCM protocols.

Blood Stasis with Liver Qi Stagnation

Adequate tonification and unhindered circulation of qi is the main requirement for normal blood circulation. The main organ that controls the smooth circulation of qi throughout the body is the Liver. The flow of liver qi can be easily disrupted by emotional disturbance, particularly, mental stress. In times of stress, the flow of qi may slow down and eventually can stagnate which can lead to blood stasis. Blood stasis can also lead to Deficient Qi due to the weakness of driving force. Blood stasis can cause Yin and blood deficiency due to the inadequate amount of fluid in the blood vessels caused by blood and qi stagnation impeding the flow. Coldness that remains in the vessels and meridians will lead to the accumulation of blood and the constriction of blood vessels. The body fluids can dry up due to excess heat, resulting in the thickening of the blood resulting in blood stasis. Phlegm buildup also can lead to blood stasis.

The diagnosis of the patient and differentiation of certain patterns of disharmony based on TCM theory is the most important factor for providing effective and safe treatment. For deficient qi, remedy should deal with tonifying qi moving blood. For stagnant qi, remedy should focus on boosting blood circulation and in invigorating the flow of qi. Treatment using warm methods such as hot herbs and moxibustion can be used to eliminate coldness and to move blood and warm the body. For deficient Yin and Blood, herbs nourishing yin and tonifying blood should be used. Cooling herbs can be used when there’s too much heat in the body. While all these modalities address the main cause of blood stasis, herbs to eliminate stasis and invigorate blood flow can also be used. They include Honghua (Safflower), Taoren (Peach Kernel), (Sangi) (Pseudo-ginseng), and Danshen (Red Sage Root). Acupuncture points Sp 6, UB 17, Sp 10 are used as they are crucial in the strengthening of blood circulation and in normalizing blood.

Studies have revealed Chinese herbs that eliminate blood stasis and invigorate blood possess cardiovascular benefits for both animals and humans. Decoction of Red Sage Root has proven to generate a significant vasodilatory effect on the heart of rabbits and coronary arteries of guinea pigs. In one study, researchers administered a preparation of Red Sage Root on 323 patients for one to nine months. Results showed a significant clinical improvement in 20.3 percent of the control group and a 62 percent improvement in the Red Sage Root group. The Red Sage Root group reported a 52 percent improvement based on ECG. In other studies, Red Sage Root was also shown to help improve cholesterol metabolism. They showed that Red Sage Root injections helped reduce the levels of serum cholesterol in some patients. Pseudo-ginseng which, in TCM pharmacopeia can alleviate pain and swelling, invigorate blood flow, and halt bleeding, has been shown to also alleviate angina pain, lower blood pressure, and significantly boost the flow in the coronary artery.

Phlegm with Spleen Qi Deficiency

In TCM, the principle of phlegm encompasses a range of conditions. Phlegm can come in the form of various signs and symptoms. When it is retained over a long period of time, phlegm can itself be a cause of illness. The two types of Phlegm are non-substantial and substantial. Non-substantial Phlegm may accumulate in the internal organs, collaterals and channels or under the skin. It can obstruct the Heart vessels and orifices. When Phlegm builds up subcutaneously, it manifests in the form of nodules and lumps such as swelling of the thyroid, lymph nodes, and the nerve ganglia. It can also manifest as water retention and dampness, heaviness of the body, or excess buildup of fat tissue. Substantial Phlegm manifests as phlegm, mucus, and sputum in the throat and lungs that can be coughed or spat out.

When the channels have an excess buildup of phlegm, the phlegm may not be as tangible as nodules or as swelling, but can nevertheless cause paralysis, pain, and numbness most commonly seen in people with hemiplegia and Bell’s palsy as well as in the elderly. When blockage of Phlegm to the mind and heart orifices occurs, it may result in mental or emotional conditions such as manic depression, schizophrenia, mild cases of anxiety or depression, problems concentrating, confusion, and in severe cases, epilepsy or stroke. When there is an aggregation and accumulation of phlegm in the vessels, it may cause the artery walls to thicken and harden and the vessels to constrict or narrow. If there is fat or Phlegm in the blood, it can increase the thickness and viscosity of the vessels, thereby resulting in hypertension, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, stroke, or even a heart attack.

Phlegm is transformed mainly due to a deficient Spleen. If the Spleen is unable to deliver and convert body fluids, the fluids will buildup and transform into Phlegm. Too much consumption of sweet, greasy, or fatty foods and dairy products may lead to the over-production of phlegm. Too much thinking and overwork can disrupt the function of Spleen which can lead to phlegm buildup in the body. Longstanding stress and emotional tension can also harm the Spleen and result in phlegm.

The emphasis on disease prevention and the underlying cause of illness are the main focus in TCM treatments. In order to treat or prevent illnesses and disease including cardiovascular diseases, Phlegm needs to be resolved and Spleen needs to be strengthened. A healthy diet containing balanced and sufficient nutrients, avoiding dairy products as well as greasy, sweet, and fatty foods, proper exercise, and eschewing both physical and mental overstrain are all important factors to maintain the healthy functionality of the Spleen and to lessen the risk of Phlegm development.

TuiNa massage can help boost body fluid metabolism and improve blood and qi flow. This activity involves a light patting on the head and patting of the body’s back, legs, arms, and front from top to bottom. Tuina can lead to better nourishment of the body, enhanced blood and qi flow, and improved health both mentally and physically. Kneading and pressing the acupoints St 40, Sp 6, St 36, and Ren can bolster the functionality of the Stomach and Spleen resulting in improved conversion and transportation of water and food, and enhance digestion. St-40 is often used by acupuncturists to clear out phlegm. Studies on the St 40 acupoints have shown that regular use of this point can help in the lowering of cholesterol level in the blood.

Deficient Heart Yang and Qi with Buildup of Coldness

The warmth of Heart Yang and the driving force of Heart Qi are essential in order to bring about smooth blood flow within the body. A deficient qi makes it difficult to maintain smooth and adequate blood flow and leads to symptoms such as a weak and deep pulse, pale face and tongue, shortness of breath, spontaneous perspiration, chest pain or heaviness in the chest, and palpitations. These symptoms can be felt while performing physical activities and are exacerbated with overexertion. A deficient or weak Yang makes the body lose its warmth, thickens and cools blood, slows down circulation, and obstructs and contracts the blood vessels and Heart. When this occurs, patients suffer from even greater chest pain that’s often described as a constrictive or strangling pain traveling from the chest to the back. Other symptoms such as an uneven, tense, and tight pulse, purplish tongue and lips, pale face, and cold extremities with feelings of extreme coldness can also manifest from Yang Deficiency.

The goal of the treatment is to dispel coldness, warm Heart Yang, and tonify Heart Qi. Herbal formulas are used containing ingredients suitable for the patient’ spepcifc needs. They include Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), Renshen (Ginseng), Gancao (Licorice), Huangtzi (Astragalus), Gualou (Trichosanthes), and Fuhsi (Aconite Root). Moxibustion combined with acupuncture using the acupoints Ren 17, St 36, Ren 4 and Ren 6 is utilized to tonify qi and yang. A decoction of Guishi composed of three pieces of Dazao, Licorice (Gancao 2g), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang 2g), White Peony Root (Baishaoyao 3g) and Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi 3g). The mixture is boiled in three cups of water for half an hour and drank while warm. When the body is feeling warm, stop drinking the decoction. Each day, before going to bed, use hot water to soak your feet in for 20 minutes. This can help remove coldness and warm your yang.

TCM practitioners often use the following herbs:

Baishu (White Atractylodes)
Chenpi (Tangerine Peel)
Fu-ling (Poria)
Bansha (Pinellia Tuber)
Gancao (Licorice)
Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit)
Renshen (Ginseng)

Research reveals that herbs with Phlegm-resolving qualities can help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood which improves cardiovascular health. A simple decoction of 10g of Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit) and 10g of Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) boiled in three cups of water for half an hour and drank each day can help lower cholesterol levels. Chinese massage or tuina on the stomach can reduce stress and help blood and qi flow smoothly. Tuina can also increase energy and help patients improve their sleep and digestion. When performed every day, this massage can even help you lose weight after just a few weeks.

Jamie Catlett is an acupuncturist in Jacksonville, FL and the founder of Jacksonville Acupuncture Clinic.