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Preventing Stroke Requires a 'Heart': Hualien Tzu Chi Integrates Chinese and Western Medicine for Cardiovascular and Brain Health

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital is offering integrated Western and traditional Chinese medicine approaches to prevent and manage stroke.
  • Stroke is a leading cause of death in Taiwan, with one person dying every 40 minutes on average.
  • Key risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and irregular heart rhythms, while traditional Chinese medicine offers dietary and acupressure therapies for different body types.

Preventing stroke requires a comprehensive approach, focusing on cardiovascular health, according to experts at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Dr. Chao Chun-ming, head of the Neurology Department, and Dr. Huang Hsu-yi from the Chinese Medicine Department, are leading efforts to educate the public on both Western and traditional Chinese medicine perspectives for stroke prevention and recovery.

The golden time for stroke prevention is now.

— Dr. Chao Chun-mingNeurology Department Director Chao Chun-ming emphasizing the urgency of stroke prevention.

Stroke remains a significant health concern in Taiwan, consistently ranking among the top causes of death. Statistics show that approximately one person succumbs to a stroke every 40 minutes. Dr. Chao emphasized that stroke prevention is intrinsically linked to managing heart and vascular health. He highlighted critical risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and arrhythmias, explaining how each can compromise blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, leading to cell damage.

Dr. Chao advised individuals to monitor five key numbers: blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, heart rate, and body weight. He stressed the importance of regular home blood pressure monitoring and understanding one's own glucose and cholesterol levels. For those with heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, regular check-ups and adherence to prescribed medications, such as aspirin or anticoagulants, are crucial.

Stroke prevention requires a focus on the heart.

— Dr. Chao Chun-mingDr. Chao Chun-ming explaining the link between cardiovascular health and stroke.

Complementing the Western medical approach, Dr. Huang shared insights from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM views the heart as governing blood circulation and the brain as the seat of consciousness. Maintaining sufficient heart Qi ensures smooth blood flow, nourishing the brain. Dr. Huang identified common TCM patterns associated with stroke risk, including Qi deficiency with blood stasis, excessive Liver Yang, and phlegm-dampness obstruction. She suggested tailored dietary recommendations, herbal teas, and acupressure points, such as Zusanli, Baihui, Taichong, Fenglong, and Neiguan, to address these imbalances and support recovery.

The heart governs blood circulation, and the brain is the residence of the spirit.

— Dr. Huang Hsu-yiChinese Medicine Department physician Huang Hsu-yi on the TCM view of heart and brain health.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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