What is coronary heart disease? Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, commonly referred to as “coronary heart disease,” refers to a condition in which the coronary arteries surrounding the heart become narrowed or blocked due to atherosclerosis, leading to myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. Clinical manifestations primarily include angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, heart failure, and cardiac enlargement.
Coronary heart disease is one of the most common conditions affecting middle-aged and elderly people worldwide. It typically occurs after the age of 40, affecting men more frequently than women, and is more prevalent among those engaged in intellectual work. Patients may experience sudden chest pain, often located behind the sternum or in the precordial region, accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Based on traditional TCM theory, modern TCM practitioners attribute the etiology of coronary heart disease to the following: invasion of the Heart Meridian by wind-cold pathogenic factors, leading to deficiency of Heart Yang, obstruction of the meridians, and stagnation of Qi and blood; or deficiency of Heart Yin and deficiency of nourishing blood, resulting in the blood failing to nourish the Heart and the vessels; or emotional distress causing stagnation of Heart Qi, damage to heart qi, leading to impaired circulation of qi and blood and obstruction of the blood vessels; or a constitutional excess of phlegm-dampness obstructing the meridians; or kidney qi deficiency, consumption of rich and greasy foods damaging the spleen and stomach, internal injury from the seven emotions causing qi stagnation and blood stasis, and mental overwork injuring the heart and spleen. Coronary heart disease falls under the categories of “chest bi,” “chest pain,” “true heart pain,” and “jue heart pain” in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, preventing coronary heart disease begins with regulating the balance of yin and yang through daily routines and diet, as well as paying attention to mental well-being. This is outlined in the following points:
1. Reduce Calorie Intake: If daily calorie intake exceeds the body’s needs, weight gain occurs. Obesity affects cholesterol metabolism; when cholesterol metabolism is impaired, the risk of coronary heart disease increases. If body weight exceeds the normal range by 5 kilograms or more, it is considered unhealthy weight gain. (A simple formula for calculating normal weight: For adults, subtract 105 from your height in centimeters; the result is your normal weight in kilograms.) People who are unhealthily overweight should appropriately control their calorie intake. Avoid eating until you are overly full, do not go to sleep immediately after meals—it is recommended to “take a hundred steps after a meal”—limit consumption of high-fat meats, opt for light, vegetable-based meals, and use vegetable oil for cooking.
2. Reduce Sources of Cholesterol: The human body obtains cholesterol in two ways. One is through dietary intake of foods high in cholesterol, such as egg yolks, butter, and animal brains and offal (especially liver). It is necessary to limit consumption of these high-cholesterol foods to reduce their intake. The other is endogenous synthesis, which occurs primarily in the liver and intestinal mucosa. Endogenous cholesterol synthesis is influenced by many factors. As people enter middle and old age, changes in endocrine function and disturbances in fat metabolism—combined with factors such as obesity and reduced physical activity—can disrupt the body’s regulatory mechanisms, leading to elevated blood cholesterol levels. Once blood cholesterol levels rise, it gradually deposits on the walls of arteries, narrowing the vascular lumen and causing the vessel walls to thicken and harden. This leads to myocardial ischemia and hypoxia, resulting in coronary heart disease.
3. Avoid or reduce mental stress: Emotional tension can increase sympathetic nervous system activity, promoting the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine. This accelerates fat breakdown and increases free fatty acids in the blood. When these levels exceed the body’s metabolic needs, they are converted into triglycerides in the liver. These triglycerides can accumulate in large quantities beneath the arterial intima, causing atherosclerosis and leading to the development of coronary heart disease. Living in a big city, it is very difficult to maintain a calm state of mind and avoid emotional stress, but it is essential to gradually recognize this issue, enhance awareness of health preservation, and do one’s best to minimize the impact of psychological factors on coronary heart disease.
4. Quitting smoking is a crucial measure for preventing coronary heart disease: The smoking rate among Chinese people is alarmingly high; some even begin smoking as early as their school years. Smoking is extremely detrimental to health—when one person smokes, the entire family suffers. Research and practical evidence have proven that tobacco poses a severe threat to human health. In addition to causing coronary heart disease—a common condition among middle-aged and elderly people—it is also one of the major causes of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, pancreatic cancer, and peptic ulcers. According to statistics from relevant Chinese authorities, the incidence of coronary heart disease among smokers is 2.4 times higher than among nonsmokers; in the United States, this figure is 4.7 times higher. In heavy smokers, the concentration of carbon monoxide in the blood can reach as high as 10% to 20%. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the body, causing tissue hypoxia. Furthermore, the nicotine in tobacco stimulates blood vessels, leading to vasospasm and constriction, which slows blood flow and reduces blood volume, thereby potentially triggering coronary heart disease. Therefore, quitting smoking is essential for the health of both oneself and others. If long-term smokers find it difficult to quit, they can gradually reduce their cigarette intake each day until they quit completely.
5. Maintaining a balance between work and rest is also a measure to prevent coronary heart disease: Statistics show that the incidence of coronary heart disease is far lower among those engaged in physical labor than among those engaged in mental work; therefore, people engaged in mental work should appropriately participate in some physical labor or various sports activities. Research has shown that physical activity promotes the formation and development of collateral circulation in the myocardium; improves the balance between oxygen supply and demand in the heart muscle; enhances lipid metabolism; reduces excessive adrenergic activity in the heart; and regulates the nervous and mental systems, helping to maintain normal blood lipid levels and blood pressure. I once met an elderly person engaged in mental work who suffered from coronary heart disease. Despite taking four or five types of medication daily, the treatment showed little effect. Later, he began to persistently engage in slow walking, starting with 500 meters a day and increasing by 10 meters each day. After six months of persistence, he began walking while carrying heavy objects. By continuing this walking regimen, he was able to manage his condition without medication; his symptoms of coronary heart disease disappeared, and his health improved. Therefore, appropriate physical activity can both prevent and treat coronary heart disease.
6. Drinking tea is quite effective in preventing coronary heart disease: According to surveys and research, people who drink tea regularly have a lower incidence of coronary heart disease than those who do not. This is because tea contains components such as tea polyphenols, which enhance the flexibility, elasticity, and permeability of blood vessels, thereby preventing arteriosclerosis. However, drinking tea that is too strong is not beneficial.
7. A decoction of hawthorn can treat and prevent coronary heart disease: China and other countries have long used hawthorn preparations to treat hypertension, coronary heart disease, and hyperlipidemia. Animal studies have demonstrated that hawthorn dilates the coronary arteries, increases coronary blood flow, and alleviates angina.
The above are some methods for preventing coronary heart disease. Under a doctor’s guidance, individuals can select and apply these methods based on their own circumstances and conditions; they may prove helpful.