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heart health through acupuncture

Coronary Heart Disease: Western and Chinese Medicine Approaches

Coronary heart disease is a significant health concern, often requiring interventions like stents or bypass surgeries. Traditional Chinese medicine offers an alternative approach. This document explores both Western and Chinese perspectives on treating coronary heart disease.

This program is special designed by Dr Yaron Wu, L.A.C., DAOM, for heart patients.

The Dilemma of Treatment Timing

A common question arises when someone has coronary disease, such as a family member needing bypass surgery due to artery blockage less than 50%: What should you do?
Is it advisable to delay stents or bypass surgery until artery blockage reaches 70% or 80%? Some believe waiting might reverse the condition, but is this actually true, or is it ineffective in most cases?
It's important to understand that even after getting stents or bypass surgery, other arteries MIGHT get blocked if the root cause isn't treated.

Understanding Coronary Heart Disease

Many factors contribute to heart issues, and addressing them is key to success:

    • "Coronary" refers to the heart's arteries, which look like a crown on top of the heart.

    • These arteries supply blood to the heart itself.

    • The heart not only pumps blood to the whole body but also needs its own blood supply through coronary arteries and veins.

    • The lymphatic system, often overlooked, helps maintain and repair coronary vessels, aiding the heart's self-repair.

BLOOD PRESSURE AND CORONARY ARTERIES

- Systolic and diastolic pressures show how well the heart pumps blood and relaxes to receive blood.
- If diastolic pressure stays high, it means the heart isn't getting enough blood, which can cause problems.

- Blood pressure is crucial for coronary arteries to supply blood to the heart.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

- Coronary heart disease affects people differently.
- Some may have no symptoms even with significant blockages, while others might have chest pain or heart attacks.
- If you have a family history or experience symptoms, see a doctor for tests like coronary angiography to check your heart's structure.


Signs of Heart Issues

- Swelling (edema), often seen in older people with heart problems
- Tiredness during or after physical activity or even at rest
- Some people might feel their heart racing or get dizzy
- Checking blood pressure, especially the diastolic number, can give clues about heart health

Contributing Factors

Several factors contribute to coronary heart disease, including:
- Aging
- Reduced blood and oxygen supply to the heart
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
Western Medicine Approach
Western medicine usually focuses on managing symptoms and preventing further blockages through treatments like:
treatment Type 1
PTCA: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA): A balloon is used to widen the artery.
treatment Type 2
Stent placement: A small tube is placed to keep the artery open.
treatment Type 3
Bypass surgery: A healthy blood vessel from another part of the body is used to bypass the blocked artery.
OUR ANALYSIS
While these surgeries are effective, they don't address the underlying causes, which can lead to blockages in other arteries.

Chinese Medicine Approach

Chinese medicine takes a different approach, focusing on the body's ability to heal itself. It aims to address the root causes of blockages and potentially reverse them

Two Main Approaches

1. Yin and Yang: This represents balance between excess and deficiency. For the heart, it means ensuring it receives the right amount of blood supply - not too much or too little.
2. Five Elements: This focuses on balancing the five main organs: kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, and spleen. When one organ has too much or too little blood supply, it affects the others. Good health requires balanced blood circulation throughout the body.

Whole Body Perspective
Chinese medicine looks at the whole body, not just individual parts. This is similar to the autonomic nervous system in Western medicine, which has two parts:
1. Sympathetic system: Raises blood sugar and blood pressure, preparing the body for action.
2. Parasympathetic system: Relaxes the body and slows the heart rate.

Effects of Sympathetic Nervous System Overactivity

When the sympathetic nervous system is overactive due to chronic stress:

  • The heart beats faster and blood pressure rises. However, the coronary arteries (which supply blood to the heart muscle) receive less blood.
  • This leads to the heart being overworked and poorly supplied with oxygen and nutrients over time.

Effects of Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity

When the parasympathetic nervous system is active (such as during sleep):

- The heart rate slows down.
- The heart doesn't need to work as hard.
- This allows more blood to flow to the heart muscle itself.
- This period provides time for the heart to rest and recover.

Diagnostic Methods in Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine uses various methods to check heart health:
1. Checking specific points on the body, like PC6 (Acupuncture point named Neiguan - English translation: Inner Gate) on the arm.
2. Looking at the tongue for signs of heart issues.
3. Examining the shape of the navel.
4. Checking for tender spots on the chest.
5. Observing the color of the lips.
6. Feeling the pulse (special for herbal formula prescription).


Contributing Factors in Chinese Medicine

Factors that can contribute to heart problems, according to Chinese medicine, include:
1. Poor sleep habits
2. Unhealthy diet (junk food, fried food, dairy, raw food, cold foods)
3. Stress
4. Lack of exercise or improper exercise
5. Not warming up or cooling down properly during exercise

Chinese Medicine Philosophy

For Chinese Medicine, the mechanism that initially caused the coronary blockage has the same ability and function to reverse or reopen the coronary, if you provide the opposite healthy environment for the heart. This can be achieved through acupuncture, herbs, or lifestyle changes - the body always knows what's best for itself and will achieve it when the conditions are available.
Chinese Medicine Approach
Chinese medicine believes that for good health, blood must flow well to the belly, where most metabolism happens. Slow, gentle exercise is better for the heart and internal health than intense workouts.
treatment Type 1
Acupressure or massage on specific points
treatment Type 2
Moxibustion (a heat therapy)
treatment Type 3
Herbal remedies
treatment Type 4
Addressing lymphatic system blockages
treatment Type 5
Stress reduction techniques
OUR ANALYSIS
Chinese medicine aims to improve overall circulation, release tension in the body, and support the heart's function. It also considers the role of the lymphatic system in heart health, which is the body's self-cleaning, regeneration, and recovery system. Chinese medicine has a very similar system called "Shao Yang & Jue Yin," and there are many formulas and acupuncture treatments for these systems, which include many symptoms related to heart conditions including heart attacks and other lymphatic system problems.

The body's innate healing ability

- All healing ultimately occurs within the body itself.
- The human body possesses the inherent capacity to heal from various health issues.



Contributing Factors in Chinese Medicine

Factors that can contribute to heart problems, according to Chinese medicine, include:
1. Poor sleep habits
2. Unhealthy diet (junk food, fried food, dairy, raw food, cold foods)
3. Stress
4. Lack of exercise or improper exercise
5. Not warming up or cooling down properly during exercise
CONCLUSION
Even if you've had Western treatments like stents or bypass surgery, Chinese medicine can still help prevent future blockages by addressing the root causes of heart issues.
If you're interested in trying Chinese medicine for heart problems, consider getting an exam from a practitioner who can explain how it might help in your specific case.
Understanding coronary heart disease and its treatment options involves considering both Western and traditional Chinese medicine approaches. Each offers insights into managing coronary artery blockages and preventing heart-related complications.

THE CHINESE METHOD
Treatments in Chinese medicine aim to stimulate and enhance the body's natural healing abilities. The goal is to help the body re-enter a positive self-healing cycle.
Method 1
Acupuncture and herbal remedies are used to:
  a. Improve specific circulation patterns
  b. Alter blood flow in beneficial ways
Method 2
Lifestyle changes: Patients are advised to identify and eliminate factors in their daily lives that may be blocking the body's natural healing processes.
Overall philosophy
Chinese medicine sees its role as supporting and activating the body's innate healing mechanisms, rather than directly curing ailments. It combines physical treatments with lifestyle adjustments to create an environment conducive to natural healing.

DISCLAIMER: These statements have NOT been evaluated by the FDA. The programs and products described herein are NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician or healthcare professional before starting this or any other health and wellness program.

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