Combining Chinese and Western medicine to prevent and treat hypertension is more effective!

Nowadays, more and more people are prone to obesity and high blood pressure due to lack of good eating habits and irregular work and rest schedules. Many hypertensive patients now adopt various methods for treatment. The following article will introduce the combination of Chinese and Western medicine to prevent and treat hypertension.

1. What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

(1) Headache: Persistent headache or dizziness is an early symptom of hypertension.

(2) Dizziness: Because high blood pressure affects the blood supply to the brain, it causes dizziness or lightheadedness.

(3) Dyspnea: Hypertension increases the workload on the heart, causing patients to experience dyspnea.

(4) Chest pain: Chest pain is a symptom of cardiovascular problems caused by hypertension, especially in cases of myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction.

(5) Palpitations: Because the heart needs to work harder to fight high blood pressure, patients may feel their heartbeats become faster or irregular.

2. What are the hazards of high blood pressure?

(1) Cardiovascular disease: Long-term high blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls and increase the risk of arteriosclerosis and arterial stenosis, leading to increased cardiac burden, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.

(2) Cerebrovascular disease: Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for stroke. Long-term hypertension can lead to rupture of cerebral blood vessel walls or thrombosis, increasing the risk of stroke (cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction).

(3) Kidney disease: Hypertension can damage the small arteries and glomeruli of the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

(4) Retinopathy: Hypertension can lead to retinal artery stenosis, retinal hemorrhage, retinal edema, etc., and in severe cases can cause vision loss.

3. Methods of combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine to treat hypertension

(1) Drug treatment:

Western medicine: Depending on the patient's specific condition, the doctor will prescribe antihypertensive drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, etc., to lower blood pressure.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Traditional Chinese medicine can use some blood pressure-lowering herbal prescriptions to treat hypertension, such as Tianma Gou Teng Drink, Schisandra Pills, etc. It can also use acupuncture, cupping and other methods to regulate the circulation of qi and blood to achieve the purpose of lowering blood pressure.

(2) Diet control:

Western medicine: Establish a reasonable diet plan, control salt intake, limit the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, and consume more foods rich in potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber, etc., such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that high blood pressure is related to imbalance of yin and yang in the body and poor circulation of qi and blood. Therefore, you can adjust your diet and choose ingredients that can nourish yin, clear heat, strengthen the spleen and stomach, such as bitter melon, yam, seaweed, etc.

(3) Exercise therapy:

Western medicine: Moderate aerobic exercise can effectively lower blood pressure, such as walking, jogging, swimming, etc.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that moderate exercise can regulate qi and blood, strengthen physical fitness, and help lower blood pressure. You can choose some exercises recommended by traditional Chinese medicine, such as qigong and tai chi.

(4) Acupuncture treatment:

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture is one of the important treatment methods in traditional Chinese medicine. It can regulate the flow of qi and blood by stimulating specific acupoints, which helps to lower blood pressure. Commonly used acupoints include Hegu, Taichong, Neiguan, etc.

4. Advantages of combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine to prevent and treat hypertension

(1) Comprehensive treatment has better effect: The combination of Chinese and Western medicine can make comprehensive use of the treatment methods of Chinese and Western medicine to treat hypertension from different angles and levels. Western medicine mainly uses drug therapy and lifestyle intervention to lower blood pressure, while Chinese medicine focuses on regulating qi and blood and adjusting the functions of internal organs. The combination of the two can give full play to their respective advantages and improve the treatment effect.

(2) Personalized treatment plan: The combination of Chinese and Western medicine can formulate personalized treatment plans based on the patient's constitution, condition, lifestyle and other factors. Western medicine emphasizes scientific drug treatment and lifestyle intervention, while Chinese medicine focuses on syndrome differentiation and treatment. According to the patient's physical characteristics and condition, acupuncture, Chinese medicine conditioning and other methods are used for personalized treatment to improve the pertinence and effectiveness of treatment.

(3) Reduce drug side effects: Western medicine treatment of hypertension often brings some side effects, such as dizziness, fatigue, muscle pain, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of hypertension is mostly natural plant extracts, and the side effects are relatively small. Through the combination of Chinese and Western medicine, the side effects of Western medicine treatment can be reduced or lowered, and the patient's treatment compliance can be improved.

(4) Comprehensive prevention of complications: Hypertension is a risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases and organ damage. If left uncontrolled for a long time, it may lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and kidney damage. The combination of Chinese and Western medicine can not only effectively lower blood pressure, but also comprehensively prevent and control complications related to hypertension by regulating the functions of internal organs, improving physical fitness, and preventing complications.

(5) Promote recovery and health: The combination of Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of hypertension can not only relieve symptoms, but also improve the patient's overall health and quality of life. Through comprehensive treatment, it can promote the health of the cardiovascular system, prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and improve the patient's recovery rate and quality of life.

5. Summary

The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in preventing and treating hypertension can give full play to the advantages of the two medical systems, provide patients with more comprehensive and personalized treatment plans, and improve treatment effects and quality of life.

Author: Zhang Xueqiong, Chengdu East New District Tanguan Health Center