{Research Update}: Acupuncture and Heart Health

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Acupuncture treatment can help lower the risk of stroke, heart failure and peripheral artery disease, in addition to improving whole body health. Give us a call today (425) 686-4498 to set-up your initial consultation to learn how we can help you improve your overall health.

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Acupuncture and Heart Health

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world with over 375,000 Americans who die from it each year. Blood pressure control is a significant component of heart disease prevention. High blood pressure is extremely common amongst Americans, almost 30 percent of American adults have high blood pressure. There are many hypertensive drugs readily available, yet some do not effectively control blood pressure levels or come with unwanted side effects. Preventing and treating heart issues should come from an integrated outlook including diet, lifestyle factors, stress levels, and genetics. Heart health can be maintained and optimized with standard of care such as certain medications (if indicated), eating anti-inflammatory diet, stress management, exercise, and using safe and effective treatments such as acupuncture to help promote heart health.

What do the studies say?

Acupuncture & Blood Pressure

A recent study examined the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This study looked at hypertensive patients already on hypertensive drugs on had been in the last 24 months to see what effect acupuncture had on lowering blood pressure. The study found that acupuncture treatment produced a significant reduction in blood pressure and reduced the patients complaints. This study concluded that “acupuncture should be in the hypertension treatment guidelines and widely used for blood pressure regulation” (Cemal, 2013).

A new study has shown that acupuncture may help patients with high blood pressure lower their risk of stroke and heart disease. The study was done at the University of California Irvine and published in the Medical Acupuncture journal. Researchers found that electroacupuncture, a type of acupuncture, reduced blood pressure for up to 6 weeks for patients with hypertension. The study found that 70 percent of the patients who received the acupuncture treatment reported a significant decrease in blood pressure. The study also found the treatment helped regulate blood sugar and the hormone that regulates electrolytes.

Acupuncture & Heart Failure

With any cardiac event, they sympathetic “flight or fight” response is activated. Recent studies have looked at acupunctures effect of production and release of endogenous opioids in the central nervous system and how this could inhibit central sympathetic outflow during heart failure. This study found that, “sympathetic activation during acute mental stress was virtually eliminated after acupuncture.” This study provide insight at possible mechanisms to which acupuncture could provide benefit because of its ability to calm the sympathetic response.

Give us a call today (425) 686-4498 to set-up your initial consultation to learn how we can help you improve your overall health.


Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free  and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.

Sources:

https://bit.ly/1Rf6Uyd

https://bit.ly/1Rf6Uyd

Acupuncture and Blood Pressure: Cemal, 2013: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/aetr/2013/00000038/f0020001/art00001

Acupuncture and heart failure: https://journals.lww.com/cardiologyinreview/Abstract/2004/05000/Acupuncture_in_the_Treatment_of_Heart_Failure.9.aspx

Call or Schedule Now! (425) 686-4498

Call or Schedule Now!

(425) 686-4498

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc

  • Master’s Degree in Acupuncture
    Bastyr University
  • Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine
    Bastyr University
  • Master’s Degree in Chemistry
    Northern Arizona University
Dr. Heintze Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Doctor

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