February is the awareness month for heart health in the United States. Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the U.S., and all of us are responsible for the ongoing fight to protect our hearts. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Heart is viewed as the emperor of all organs and has a vital function over the whole body by governing blood and vessels. The Heart also holds the mind and consciousness and is closely related to the normal mental activity and the human spirit. The Heart is shaped like a lotus bud, situated above the diaphragm. The Heart is covered by the lungs and attached to the fifth vertebrae (fifth thoracic vertebrae). The Heart is safely guarded and surrounded by the chest. 

In Western medicine, the heart organ has an irregular conical shape and is placed obliquely in the middle mediastinum. The Heart is the body’s engine that propels the blood flow throughout the body.  

Why Your Heart gets Diseased

I will use coronary heart disease (CHD) as an example for the article. The TCM understanding of CHD is the combined presentation of qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm, and heat toxin. TCM termed coronary heart disease “Chest Bi,” or “Heartache.” 

The Huangdi Neijing, written in the classical text of Traditional Chinese Medicine, describes that chest pain and heartache mainly manifest as pain in the chest, shoulder blades, and inner arm. 

The TCM physicians conclude that the cause of “Chest Bi,” or “Heartache,” is mostly from cold pathogen invasion, irregular diet, emotional imbalance, old age, and physical weakness. The disease is mainly in the Heart, involving the Spleen, lungs, liver, and kidneys. 

Recent research has attributed the cause of CHD to poor diet, obesity, continuous stress and tension, mental fatigue, hypertension, diabetes, low thyroid function, and smoking. Typical symptoms with coronary heart disease are dizziness, vertigo, palpitations, chest fullness, shortness of breath, pain in the chest area, irregular heartbeat, spontaneous sweating, hardness in the lips and tongue, and angina pain when there is an obstruction.

6 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

1. De-Stress Naturally

American Heart Association acknowledges that chronic stress can cause heart trouble. There are many ways to de-stress. I often suggest that my patients go for a short walk or do a slight stretch around their home. This is usually working at the early stage of stress. I have seen patients feel complete relief after their first treatment for chronic stress. Many feel lighter, and some may release their emotions by crying. These are expected outcomes with Acupuncture treatment.

2.Keep your Cholesterol (LDL) Low

There are many reasons to have high cholesterol. Changes to diet and lifestyle are often recommended to reduce levels. High cholesterol contributes to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. 

A tendency to high cholesterol levels can be inherited. And could also possibly of inadequate steroid hormone production, low vitamin D production, or tissue damage due to severe inflammation. I often recommend garlic, which may be consumed as a food supplement or eaten fresh as part of the meal. Garlic benefits from thinning the blood flow to increase blood circulation and not be taken before surgery.

3.Stop Smoking

There are many reasons to stop smoking. Smoking causes an instant and long-term rise in blood pressure, increases the risk for blood clots, and reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the body’s tissues. According to American Heart Association, one out of every five smoking-related deaths is caused by heart disease. Most health institutions, such as Cleveland Clinic, recommend Acupuncture, along with Chinese herbs, to help quit smoking and curb your cravings naturally. 

4. Stay moderately active

The Heart is a muscle organ. Being physically active is a practical tool for strengthening the heart muscle and enhancing the physiological function of the Heart for blood circulation. I recommend Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga as this form of exercise focuses on stretching, flexibility, and balance. Research also suggests that Aerobic exercise, such as short walking, biking, swimming, and dancing, is excellent for the Heart and helps control blood glucose for those with type 2 diabetes, such as walking, biking, swimming, and dancing. 

5. Get adequate sleep

Research shows a correlation between many sleeping disorders and cardiovascular health. Studies show poor sleep quality is associated with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and thickening of the arteries. 

There are many ways to help you get quality sleep at night, starting with establishing your good sleeping habit. Avoid going to bed after midnight. My favorite is to drink a cup of Golden Milk before bed. It helps stabilize your blood sugar while sleeping and helps heal the body’s inflammation. If you are dealing with chronic sleep disorders, it is wise to seek professional help. Acupuncture excels in helping you with sleep. An expert even mentioned that Acupuncture is an alternative to medication, like benzodiazepines, used to treat insomnia. Acupuncture poses much fewer risks to a patient than drug therapy.

6. Take care of your Emotions

Western medical experts now recognize that the Heart and the brain are intimately connected. Any strong emotion such as anger may cause severe and fatal irregular heart rhythms. Furthermore, when patients with newly diagnosed heart disease become depressed, depression increases the risk of a harmful heart-related event within that year. The acupuncture point of Heart 5 is very effective in helping with cardiac pain with anxiety. 

Pamela Purser, an acupuncture physician, and licensed acupuncturist, is the clinical director and co-owner of Navarre Acupuncture and Wellness, located at 7287 Navarre Pkwy., Navarre, FL. For more information, visit NavAcuWell.com.