Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure

Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure.

High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease has become the most important preventable risk factor for premature deaths worldwide.

It increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Cardiovascular symptoms can include high, low or unstable blood pressure, dizziness and vertigo, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain (angina) or tightness and shortness of breath. More than 90% of high blood pressure cases are categorised as "primary hypertension" which means there is no clear diagnosable cause according to western medicine.

What Does The Research Say?

The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for high blood pressure.

Consult with our practitioners for personalised care and advice.

Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we do not make any claims that any particular treatment may be efficacious for any individual person.

When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you'll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.

Scientific References

Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for high blood pressure.

It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.



Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2020, Dec 19

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Essential Hypertension: A Clinical Evidence Map
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The conclusion of this systematic review and primary studies highlight TCM's advantages as adjunctive therapy for improving hypertension. Similarly, the development trend of Chinese Medicine and nondrug therapy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension is relatively good, which reflects the diverse TCM prevention and treatment measures for hypertension.

Zhang Y, Wang B, Ju C, Liu L, Zhu Y, Mei J, Liu Y, Xu F Full Article

Frontiers in Pharmacology

2020, Jun 16

The Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined With Western Medicine on Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients With Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Frontiers in Pharmacology

CHM combined with conventional Western medicine may be effective in lowering blood pressure and improving vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertension. To further confirm this, more well-designed studies with large sample sizes, strict randomization, and clear descriptions about detection and reporting processes are warranted.

Ren W, Wang M, Liao J, Li L, Yang D, Yao R, Huang L Full Article

Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies

2019, Apr

Acupuncture for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review
Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Medical Association of Pharmacopuncture Institute

This article highlighted that acupuncture is an effective viable alternative as a complementary therapy cardiovascular diseases especially for reducing hypertension

de Lima Pimentel R, Duque AP, Moreira BR, Rodrigues LF Full Article

International Journal of Hypertension

2019, Mar 7

The Mechanism of Acupuncture in Treating Essential Hypertension: A Narrative Review
International Journal of Hypertension

Acupuncture can significantly improve cardiac hypertrophy and the thickness of the aortic wall in order to prevent new vascular remodeling .The latest clinical study unveils the cardioprotective effects of acupuncture through improving wave reflection (augmentation index, AIx) and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patient. Therefore, acupuncture is highly essential in treating hypertension

Juan Li ,1 Mingsheng Sun ,2 Jing Ye,2 Yuxi Li ,2 Rongjiang Jin ,1 Hui Zheng ,2 and Fanrong Liang 2 Full Article

Frontiers in Physiology

2017, Jun 08

Comparative Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Antiarrhythmic Drugs for the Prevention of Cardiac Arrhythmias: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Frontiers in Physiology

The detailed meta-analysis demonstrates that clinical efficacy of acupuncture is effective in preventing cardiac arrest. Patients also reported to have better results with oral administration

Li Y, Barajas-Martinez H, Li B, Gao Y, Zhang Z, Shang H, Xing Y, Hu D Full Article

PLOS One

2015, Jul 24

Is Acupuncture Effective for Hypertension? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
PLOS One Public Library of Science

Our meta-analysis suggested that acupuncture plus western medicine had a more significant effect on both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure change magnitude than sham acupuncture plus medication, which indicated that acupuncture has an add-on effect for western medicine.

Zhao XF, Hu HT, Li JS, Shang HC, Zheng HZ, Niu JF, et al Full Article

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

2014, Mar 4

Acupuncture for Essential Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Sham-Controlled Clinical Trials
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The study is consistent with acupuncture significantly lowers blood pressure in patients taking antihypertensive medications. Results from this meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled trials provide evidence that acupuncture helped (lowered) BP in patients taking antihypertensive medications.

Li DZ, Zhou Y, Yang YN, Ma YT, Li XM, Yu J, et al. Full Article


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