High Blood Pressure

Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine for High Blood Pressure

Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) and cardiovascular disease has become the most important preventable risk factor for premature deaths worldwide. A normal blood pressure level is around 120/80 mmHg.

Having a high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke, congestive heart failure, kidney failure and erectile dysfunction. More than 90% of high blood pressure cases are categorised as "primary hypertension" which means there is no clear diagnosable cause according to western medicine.

Studies have shown that both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may be beneficial as an adjunct therapy for high blood pressure.

Cardiovascular Disease Signs & Symptoms

  • High, low or unstable blood pressure
  • Dizziness and vertigo
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Palpitations
  • Chest pain (angina)
  • Tightness and shortness of breath

What Does The Research Say?

The following insights are obtained from scientific studies, systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of High Blood Pressure.

Scientific References

Browse our collection of scientific research on High Blood Pressure. It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2020, Dec 19

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Essential Hypertension: A Clinical Evidence Map
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The conclusion of this systematic review and primary studies highlight TCM's advantages as adjunctive therapy for improving hypertension. Similarly, the development trend of Chinese Medicine and nondrug therapy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension is relatively good, which reflects the diverse TCM prevention and treatment measures for hypertension.

Yan Zhang, Biqing Wang, Chunxiao Ju, Lu Liu, Ying Zhu, Jun Mei, Yue Liu, Fengqin Xu, Full Article

Frontiers in Pharmacology

2020, Jun 16

The Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined With Western Medicine on Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients With Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Frontiers in Pharmacology

CHM combined with conventional Western medicine may be effective in lowering blood pressure and improving vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertension. To further confirm this, more well-designed studies with large sample sizes, strict randomization, and clear descriptions about detection and reporting processes are warranted.

Weiquan Ren, Miyuan Wang, Jiangquan Liao, Lingling Li, Deshuang Yang, Ruiqi Yao, Li Huang. Full Article

International Journal of Hypertension

2019, Mar 7

The Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Essential Hypertension: A Narrative Review
International Journal of Hypertension

Acupuncture can significantly improve cardiac hypertrophy and the thickness of the aortic wall in order to prevent new vascular remodeling .The latest clinical study unveils the cardioprotective effects of acupuncture through improving wave reflection (augmentation index, AIx) and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patient. Therefore, acupuncture is highly essential in treating hypertension

Juan Li ,1 Mingsheng Sun ,2 Jing Ye,2 Yuxi Li ,2 Rongjiang Jin ,1 Hui Zheng ,2 and Fanrong Liang 2 Full Article

PLOS One

2015, Jul 24

Is Acupuncture Effective for Hypertension? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
PLOS One Public Library of Science

Our meta-analysis suggested that acupuncture plus western medicine had a more significant effect on both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure change magnitude than sham acupuncture plus medication, which indicated that acupuncture has an add-on effect for western medicine.

Zhao XF, Hu HT, Li JS, Shang HC, Zheng HZ, Niu JF, et al Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2014, Mar 4

Acupuncture for Essential Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Sham-Controlled Clinical Trials
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The study is consistent with acupuncture significantly lowers blood pressure in patients taking antihypertensive medications. Results from this meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled trials provide evidence that acupuncture helped (lowered) BP in patients taking antihypertensive medications.

Li DZ, Zhou Y, Yang YN, Ma YT, Li XM, Yu J, et al. Full Article

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