Clinical Evidence and Scientific Mechanisms

Current clinical evidence showed that acupuncture is helpful for at least the following cardiovascular disorders:

• Arrythmia

• Angina

• Heart failure

 

According to the eight studies reviewed, 87% to 100% of participants arrythmia converted to normal sinus rhythm after acupuncture. A randomized clinical trial that included 404 patients with chronic stable angina found that acupuncture on the acupoints in the disease-affected meridian significantly reduced the frequency of angina attacks compared with acupuncture on the acupoints on the nonaffected meridian, sham acupuncture, and no acupuncture. This indicates that adjunctive therapy with acupuncture had a significant effect in alleviating angina within 16 weeks.

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Another report suggested that acupuncture provides a useful adjunct to the treatment of congestive heart failure. It has the potential to improve cardiac and renal function, while enhancing patients’ tolerance for exercise. The acupuncture points they used are: 

• Neiguan (PC6)

• Gongsun (SP4)

• Shenmen (HT7)

• Zusanli (ST36)

• Sanyinjiao (SP6)

• Auricular: Heart, Sympathetic, Shenmen

• For patients with a diagnosis of phlegm obstruction: Fenglong (ST40)

• For patients with blood stasis: Xuehai (SP10)

• For patients with qi stagnation: Taichong (LV3)

 

References:

1. VanWorme AM et al. The effects of acupuncture on cardiac arrhythmias: a literature review.  Heart Lung. Nov-Dec 2008;37(6):425-31.

2. Zhao L, et al. Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy for Chronic Stable Angina:A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2019;179(10):1388-1397.

3. Lei Y et al. “Effect of medicine in combination with acupuncture on 30 chronic congestive heart failure patients” China Tropical Medicine, 2010,Vol. 10 (3) pp.349, 351.
    

                  Our Special Approach

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We select acupuncture points and techniques based on classical textbooks, research publications and personal experience.

We may add some Chinese herb formula or individual herb such as Zhen wu tang and/or dong chong xia cao.

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Representative case

 

• Chief complaint: May 1999, initial visit. 58yr male presents with obvious shortness of breath after walking for more than three years.

• History of present illness: Three years ago, he started to have foot swelling and mild shortness of breath after long walking. Local hospital prescribed with diuretics and the foot swelling was better, but the shortness of breath was progressively deteriorating. Three months ago, he slept on the bed almost 20 hours a day, only got up to have meal. Even several steps of walking could cause severe shortness of breath.
  Examination: Severe lethargy, jugular vein distention, diminished heart and breath sound. X ray showed cardiomegaly. EKG was normal.

• Medical Diagnosis: Right congestive heart failure, stage D

• Treatment details: Chinese herbs of tonifying lung and kidney were added to the regular treatment plan.

• Clinical outcome: After three months, the patient could walk by himself, without external support. After six months, he could walk freely, with feeling shortness of breath. After 20 years of the initial visit, his quality of life is still high, with only occasional shortness of breath, which is under well control with help of Chinese medicine and regular medical plan.