Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common and particularly important type of vascular disease among the group known as arteriosclerosis. The various forms of arteriosclerosis share the features of thickened, hardened arterial walls, loss of elasticity, and narrowing of the lumen. AS is characterized by lesions that begin in the arterial intima, with successive accumulation of lipids and complex carbohydrates, hemorrhage and thrombus formation, fibrous tissue proliferation, and calcium deposition, accompanied by progressive degeneration and calcification of the arterial media. The lipids that accumulate in the arterial intima have a yellow, gruel-like appearance, hence the term “atherosclerosis.”

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Guide

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

A feeling of heaviness in the body; a heavy head, as if wrapped; obesity; fatigue and lethargy; epigastric fullness and discomfort; numbness in the limbs; a bland taste in the mouth; poor appetite; a pale, enlarged tongue with a dark-red hue and teeth marks along the edges; a white, greasy coating; and a fine, weak pulse or a soft, moderate pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • The body may feel heavy, making movement feel noticeably difficult.
  • The head may feel heavy and full, as if wrapped up, with a general sense of mental cloudiness.
  • The person may be overweight, with an overall heavy appearance.
  • Fatigue and weakness may occur, along with a stuffy, distended feeling in the upper abdomen.
  • The limbs may feel numb or swollen, with reduced sensation.
  • The mouth may taste bland, with little noticeable taste.
  • Appetite may be poor, with little interest in food and reduced food intake.
  • The tongue may look pale and somewhat enlarged, rather than rosy.
  • The tongue may have a dark-red hue and appear dusky overall.
  • Indentations from the teeth may be visible along the edges of the tongue.
  • The tongue coating may be white and greasy, with a damp, sticky appearance.
  • On pulse examination, the pulse may feel fine and weak, or soft and relatively slow.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Transform phlegm and dispel blood stasis.

In Plain Language:

  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to transform thick, turbid phlegm and reduce its obstruction, with the goal of gradually easing chest tightness, excess phlegm, heaviness in the head, fatigue, and nausea.
  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to resolve blood stasis and promote circulation, with the goal of easing discomfort such as fixed, stabbing pain, numbness, coldness, and localized bluish-purple discoloration or swelling. Microcirculation and the body’s capacity for repair are described as gradually improving.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

A pale, dull complexion; shortness of breath and reluctance to speak; palpitations and shortness of breath, worsened by exertion; chest tightness or dull chest pain; localized, stabbing pain that remains in one place; a pale-purple tongue or purple stasis spots; and a deep, choppy pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • The face may look pale and dull, with an unhealthy, lackluster complexion.
  • There may be shortness of breath and little inclination to speak; even after a few words, the person may want to stop.
  • Palpitations and shortness of breath may occur, with a feeling of not getting enough air.
  • These symptoms may become noticeably worse with activity or exertion.
  • The chest may feel tight and uncomfortable, as if constricted.
  • There may sometimes be a mild, recurring ache in the chest.
  • Localized pain may feel sharp, like a needle prick.
  • The pain tends to stay in one place rather than moving around.
  • The tongue may be pale with a purplish tinge, or have purple spots or patches.
  • On pulse examination, the pulse may be deep and choppy, with an uneven or impeded quality.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Supplement qi and invigorate blood.

In Plain Language:

  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to replenish qi and strengthen its driving force, with the goal of gradually easing shortness of breath, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, reluctance to speak, dizziness, and easy tiring.
  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to invigorate blood, resolve stagnation, improve microcirculation, and unblock the channels, with the goal of gradually easing stasis-related discomfort such as stabbing pain, numbness, distending pain, stiffness, and a dull complexion.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Dizziness; headache; chest tightness or pain; numbness in the limbs; bluish-purple lips; a dark-purple tongue with stasis spots; dark, tortuous sublingual veins; and a wiry, choppy, or irregular pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • There may be dizziness or vertigo, with a sensation that the surroundings are spinning or unsteady, especially when standing.
  • Head pain may be noticeable and interfere with concentration and daily activities.
  • The chest may feel tight or constricted, with discomfort when breathing.
  • Chest pain may occur continuously or intermittently.
  • The limbs may feel numb, with reduced sensation and agility.
  • The lips may look bluish-purple and noticeably lack a healthy color.
  • The tongue may look dark purple rather than bright red.
  • Bluish-purple, bruise-like spots may be visible.
  • The veins beneath the tongue may appear dark purple, twisted, and raised.
  • On pulse examination, the pulse may feel wiry and choppy, or have pauses and an irregular rhythm.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Move qi and invigorate blood.

In Plain Language:

  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to regulate qi and relieve stagnation, with the goal of gradually easing discomfort such as distension and tightness in the chest and flanks, belching, poor appetite, and abdominal bloating or pain.
  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to invigorate blood and resolve stagnation, with the goal of gradually easing stasis-related discomfort such as stabbing pain, numbness, fixed distending pain, and localized darkening or coldness.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Dizziness and vertigo; tinnitus; forgetfulness; blurred vision; shortness of breath; fatigue and weakness; a pale tongue with a thin, white coating; and a deep, fine pulse or a slow, weak pulse.

In Plain Language:

  • There may be dizziness or vertigo, with a sensation that objects are moving or spinning.
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears may be heard, even in quiet surroundings.
  • Memory may worsen, with forgetfulness—even recent events may be quickly forgotten.
  • Vision may become blurred, making it difficult to see clearly or focus.
  • Shortness of breath may occur, with a feeling of not getting enough air when speaking or moving around.
  • There may be fatigue and weakness, with easy tiring after a short period of activity.
  • The tongue may look pale rather than rosy or bright.
  • The tongue coating may be thin and white, rather than thick.
  • On pulse examination, the pulse may feel deep and fine, or slow and weak.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Nourish and supplement the liver and kidneys.

In Plain Language:

  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to nourish liver and kidney qi and replenish essence, blood, and yin fluids, with the goal of gradually easing soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, dry eyes and mouth, fatigue, and aversion to cold.
  • In TCM terms, this approach aims to strengthen the sinews and bones and harmonize the emotions, with the goal of improving insomnia, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, and confusion, and gradually easing palpitations, uneasiness, and low spirits.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.

References

  1. Yang Fang, Zhao Peizhen. A comparative study of coronary artery lesions in young people from high- and low-prevalence areas of atherosclerosis[J]. Chinese Circulation Journal, 1996, 11(4): 195-199.
  2. Research advances in the etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis[C]//Professional Committee on Deficiency Syndromes and Geriatrics, China Association of Integrative Medicine. Proceedings of the 15th National Symposium on Deficiency Syndromes and Geriatrics of the China Association of Integrative Medicine, the Committee Transition Meeting, and the National Continuing Education Program “Training Course on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Geriatric Diseases by Senior TCM Physicians.” Professional Committee on Deficiency Syndromes and Geriatrics, China Association of Integrative Medicine, 2015: 5.
  3. Wei Aizhen, Yang Jianfei. A brief discussion of research advances in atherosclerosis[J]. Journal of Clinical Medical Literature, 2014, 1(10): 1866-1868.
  4. Williams JK, Sukhova GK, Herrington DM, et al. Pravastatin has cholesterol-lowering independent effects on the artery wall of atherosclerotic monkeys[J]. J Am Coll Cardiol, 1998, 31(3): 684-691.
  5. Danesh JK, Wheeler JG, Hirschfield GM, et al. C-reactive protein and other circulating markers of inflammation in the prediction of coronary heart disease[J]. N Engl J Med, 2004, 350(14): 1387-1397.
  6. Zhang Daning. Research on the TCM method of tonifying the kidneys and invigorating blood[M]. Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 1997: 156-164.
  7. Meng Guofan. A preliminary exploration of the TCM etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis[J]. Yunnan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica, 2004, 25(4): 55-56.
  8. Liu Zhongyong, He Huaiyang. Advances in TCM research on atherosclerosis (mai bi)[C]//China Association of Chinese Medicine. Basic and Clinical Research on Collateral Diseases (10). China Association of Chinese Medicine, 2014: 5.
  9. Liu Zhongyong, Wu Jianguang. TCM diagnosis and treatment protocol for atherosclerosis[Z]. Atherosclerosis Collaborative Group of the Key TCM Specialty of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015.
  10. Chen Haozhu, Lin Guowei, Wang Jiyao. Practical Internal Medicine (14th ed.)[M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2015: 1396-1399.