Acupuncture is Beneficial for Cardiovascular Conditions

The cost to treat heart disease in the United States will triple by 2030, according to a policy statement published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Acupuncture can become part of a therapeutic long-term health care regimen for hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.
“Despite the successes in reducing and treating heart disease over the last half century, even if we just maintain our current rates, we will have an enormous financial burden on top of the disease itself,” says Paul Heidenreich, M.D., chair of the American Heart Association expert panel issuing the statement.
The panel estimated future medical costs based on the current rates of disease and used Census data to adjust for anticipated population shifts in age and race.
“These estimates don’t assume that we will continue to make new discoveries to reduce heart disease,” says Heidenreich. “If our ability to prevent and treat heart disease stays where we are right now, costs will triple in 20 years just through demographic changes in the population.”
The panel says effective prevention strategies are needed to limit the growing burden of cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death in the United States that accounts for 17 percent of overall national health expenditures.
“Unhealthy behaviors and unhealthy environments have contributed to a tidal wave of risk factors among many Americans,” says Nancy Brown, American Heart Association CEO. “Early intervention and evidence-based public policies are absolute musts to significantly reduce alarming rates of obesity, hypertension, tobacco use, and cholesterol levels.”
Acupuncture can be an excellent complement to other medical treatments, especially those for treating the cardiac system. Acupuncture applied to specific wrist, inner forearm and leg acupoints triggers release of brain opioid chemicals that reduce excitatory cardiovascular system responses. Acupuncture applied to these specific sites results in heart activity/oxygen intake decrease and lowered blood pressure. Acupuncture can be beneficial for various cardiac ailments.
Key steps to prevent heart disease:
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. Feb. 16.

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