Nine Other Complementary Therapies

People who exercise regularly have a lower incidence of hypertension. Regular isotonic exercises, such as walking, jogging, practicing Tai Chi or Tai Chi sword, swimming, etc., can lower blood pressure in a considerable number of hypertensive patients, even bringing it down to normal levels. Physical exercise can also reduce the risk of other cardiovascular diseases and improve patients' health. Therefore, all patients should be encouraged to participate in regular fitness activities. Apart from genetic factors, the occurrence and development of hypertension are largely determined by abnormalities in neurohumoral and endocrine functions, including the production of insulin antibodies. Physical exercise can invigorate the spirit, help eliminate tension or depression, suppress the overactive sympathetic nervous system, reduce neuroendocrine dysfunction caused by sympathetic excitement, and maintain a relatively balanced and stable internal environment. Exercise is usually carried out outdoors, immersed in the natural scenery of rivers and mountains, bamboo groves, and pine forests. Even a simple walk can refresh the mind, clear away distracting thoughts, and thus increase the desire for a better life, boosting patients' confidence in overcoming illness. The production of insulin antibodies is closely related to the occurrence of hypertension, and experts have recognized the role of physical exercise in counteracting insulin antibodies. It can also eliminate obesity, prevent cholesterol from depositing on vessel walls, and enhance cardiac reserve capacity, thereby reducing or avoiding a series of complications associated with hypertension. (Nine) Other Complementary Therapies Other complementary therapies, though not universal, are highly targeted. For example, seemingly minor issues like severe constipation can sometimes lead to stroke or myocardial infarction in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases due to straining during defecation. The quality of sleep is also directly related to blood pressure. (1) Shenque Application: Mix Wu Zhu Yu and Chuan Xiong in equal parts, grind them into fine powder, clean the Shenque acupoint (navel), apply 5–10 grams of the powder to the Shenque acupoint, and cover it with musk analgesic plaster. Change the medication once every three days, with ten applications constituting one course of treatment, and continue for three courses consecutively. The Shenque acupoint is the gateway for all meridians and collaterals. After applying the medication, the drug travels through the meridians directly to the site of the disease. (2) Yongquan Application: Grind 20 grams of Wu Zhu Yu into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply it to the Yongquan acupoint, then fix it with musk ointment tape. Apply once daily, with seven days constituting one course of treatment. Alternatively, you can use 50 grams of castor seeds and 20 grams of Fuzi, grind them into fine powder, add 150 grams of ginger, mix everything into a paste, and fix it with tape. Apply once every other day, with seven days constituting one course of treatment. Yongquan is the acupoint of the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. By adjusting the yin and yang of the Kidney Meridian through Yongquan, it can lower blood pressure and alleviate headaches. (3) Medicinal Pillow (Inhalation Therapy): There has long been a folk saying that "sleeping with a medicinal pillow, inhaling the fragrance can cure diseases." You can use some pungent and cool aromatic herbs, inhale them through the nose, to achieve the effects of calming the liver and subduing yang, soothing the mind and calming the spirit, clearing the brain and improving eyesight, and curing diseases through inhalation. In addition, the effective ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine can enter the body through the skin of the head and neck, helping to unblock qi and blood, adjust yin and yang, calm the liver, and lower blood pressure. Use clean wild chrysanthemums, Xia Ku Cao, Chuan Xiong, Man Jing Zi, Shi Chang Pu, mulberry leaves, Jue Ming Zi, Bai Zhi, magnetite, Jiang Ban Xia, and other herbs, put them in equal amounts into a cloth bag to make a pillow for patients to use. (4) Herbal Decoction Foot Bath: Take 30 grams of Qing Wei Zi, 30 grams of mulberry branches, and 10 grams of mulberry leaves, add 2,000 milliliters of water, decoct until 1,000 milliliters remain, discard the residue, and soak both feet in the slightly cooled herbal liquid for half an hour, twice a day. The herbal liquid can be reused many times. This method has the effects of dispersing blood stasis, unblocking collaterals, reducing swelling, and promoting diuresis, thereby lowering blood pressure and alleviating symptoms such as headache and insomnia caused by elevated blood pressure. It is also possible to use a decoction made from 30 grams of hook vine, with the same usage as above. (5) Magnetic therapy. Magnetic therapy is a method used in the treatment of hypertension that involves the application of magnetic fields to acupoints. Magnetic discs or tapes can be applied to acupoints, or rotating magnetic therapy devices can be used to irradiate acupoints; alternatively, magnetic beads or needles can be pressed onto ear acupoints for treatment. The selected acupoints and ear acupoints are the same as those chosen for acupuncture treatment of hypertension. Procedure: Apply magnetic discs or tapes with a magnetic induction intensity of 0.05–0.15 T to acupoints such as Quchi, Neiguan, Zusanli, and Yongquan, leaving them in place for 12 hours daily for one month. Magnetic field therapy can unblock meridians, harmonize qi and blood, increase blood circulation, improve nerve and vascular function, and achieve the goal of lowering blood pressure. Based on this principle, blood pressure-lowering products such as blood pressure monitors and blood pressure shoes have been developed. (6) Natural therapy. This refers to consciously choosing natural conditions to maintain human health. Humans live in nature, yet most people still lack awareness of how to utilize these natural conditions to prevent and treat diseases. For example, air baths, sunbaths, forest baths, and seawater baths are all forms of natural therapy. In addition, physical therapies such as direct current iontophoresis and magnetic therapy can also be adopted according to local conditions and individual needs. Natural therapy has the effects of promoting the flow of qi and blood, regulating emotions, relieving stress, improving visceral functions, and producing overall benefits, thereby strengthening the body and stabilizing blood pressure. (7) Music therapy. Listening to light music can make people feel relaxed and happy, giving them a sense of peace and serenity, eliminating distracting thoughts, and making them feel as if they have entered a fairyland. Physiological studies have confirmed that light music can reduce sympathetic nerve impulses, improve mental state, and thus lower blood pressure. The choice should be based on personal preferences and aptitude, tailored to each individual. (8) Maintain regular bowel movements. Constipation has both local and systemic effects. Locally, long-term constipation can easily lead to anal fissures and bleeding, which in turn may cause hemorrhoids and fistulas; systemically, it can cause irritability, loss of appetite, oral inflammation, and other issues. For hypertensive patients who also suffer from constipation, their blood pressure is often difficult to control. During constipation, people inevitably hold their breath while defecating, which can cause a significant spike in blood pressure and even lead to stroke or myocardial infarction. Therefore, constipation should not be taken lightly by cardiovascular patients. Constipation is often caused by digestive dysfunction. Besides eating food that is too fine, lacking water and dietary fiber, insufficient secretion of digestive enzymes is also a cause of constipation. Psychological factors, environmental changes, and irregular lifestyles can also trigger constipation. Certain medications, such as sedatives and hypnotics, may also cause constipation, and some antihypertensive drugs have constipation as a side effect. Additionally, a small number of organic lesions can lead to constipation, such as megacolon. Regardless of the cause, constipation is harmful to health. For functional constipation, it is important to develop a habit of daily bowel movements. Maintain a regular daily routine and lifestyle; getting up every morning and transitioning from lying down to standing can trigger the physiological reflex for defecation, so it is best to take advantage of this opportunity to have a bowel movement. Eat more foods rich in dietary fiber, such as vegetables and fruits, and drink plenty of water. Physical activity after meals can increase intestinal peristalsis. Hypertensive patients should avoid holding their breath during defecation to prevent accidents. If necessary, consider using laxative herbal remedies or medications. For constipation caused by organic lesions, treatment should target the underlying disease. (9) Get enough sleep. Sleep is extremely important for life. There was an experiment in which two groups of identical white rats were selected: one group was deprived of food for seven days but allowed to sleep, while the other group was fed but prevented from sleeping. After seven days, the group that had not been fed survived after being given food, whereas the group that had been deprived of sleep all died. This shows the importance of sufficient sleep for life. Human blood pressure varies between day and night: during the day, the sympathetic nervous system is active, and blood pressure is around 20/12 kPa (150/90 mmHg); at night, during sleep, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, and blood pressure drops to about 16.0/10.7 kPa (120/80 mmHg). After sleep, the heart rate naturally slows down and becomes weaker, and blood pressure is also lower than during activity. For someone who suffers from insomnia and frequent dreams, blood pressure not only does not decrease at night but may even be higher than during the day. In such cases, relying solely on antihypertensive medication is not enough; it is necessary to regulate the mind and ensure better sleep, which will be beneficial for treating hypertension. Both healthy individuals and hypertensive patients should use non-invasive monitors to continuously observe their blood pressure and heart rate during daily activities for 24 hours. The results show that for healthy individuals and hypertensive patients in stages I, II, and III, the peak systolic blood pressure occurs at different times: 18:00–19:00 for stage I, 18:00–20:00 for stage II, 17:00–19:00 for stage III, and 16:00–17:00 for stage IV, after which blood pressure begins to decline. The lowest points occur at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00, respectively. However, blood pressure starts to rise again between 6:00 and 8:00, forming the first minor peak. For healthy individuals and hypertensive patients in stages I, II, and III, the diastolic blood pressure peaks at 17:00–19:00 for stage I, 17:00–20:00 for stage II, 16:00–18:00 for stage III, and 14:00–16:00 for stage IV, with the lowest points occurring at 20:00, 23:00, 23:00, and 20:00, respectively. Researchers have also pointed out that the higher the blood pressure, the greater the fluctuation, making it harder to stabilize. To improve sleep, it is generally recommended not to eat too much at dinner. Traditional Chinese medicine says, “If the stomach is not well, one cannot sleep well at night.” It is also advisable not to drink strong tea or coffee before bed, as these are stimulants. Before going to bed, finish all tasks for the day and do not bring worries into bed. Soak your feet in warm water before bed. In winter, keep the bedroom warm; in summer, keep it cool. If necessary, use qigong, medicinal diets, acupuncture, and other methods to regulate sleep. Chapter 4: Western Medical Treatment Once the diagnosis of hypertension is established, treatment should be considered immediately. Since hypertension is a chronic disease of unknown cause, long-term, patient, and proactive treatment is required, with the main goal of lowering blood pressure to normal or near-normal levels to reduce complications in target organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, and to delay the formation and progression of atherosclerosis. Clinically, patients with moderate to severe hypertension or those already suffering from target organ damage should begin antihypertensive drug therapy right away; patients with mild hypertension but with risk factors for coronary heart disease (such as hyperlipidemia, a family history of stroke or myocardial infarction) should also receive active treatment; and patients with simple mild hypertension without target organ damage or coronary heart disease risk factors should have their blood pressure monitored regularly—if the diastolic pressure remains above 12.8 kPa (95 mmHg), treatment can be initiated. For elderly patients with systolic hypertension, treatment can also reduce complications and mortality, but the degree of blood pressure reduction should not be too great. Although hypertension has been widely recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, there is still no convincing evidence that controlling hypertension can significantly reduce the incidence and mortality of coronary heart disease; several rigorously designed clinical trials are currently underway. Long-term hypertension can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy. Recent studies have found that left ventricular hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for cardiac death. Some antihypertensive drugs (methyldopa, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) can reduce the mass and wall thickness of the hypertrophied left ventricle, thereby partially reversing left ventricular hypertrophy, but it is still unclear whether this reversal can reduce the cardiovascular mortality caused by left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertension generally requires long-term, even lifelong, treatment, so it is essential to obtain the full understanding and cooperation of the patient, use effective antihypertensive drugs according to specific circumstances, and pay attention to correcting cardiovascular risk factors. Adhere to the principle of individualized treatment plans, tailoring therapeutic regimens to each patient’s specific situation. Over the past 30 years, various clinical trial results have shown that antihypertensive drug treatment, including for elderly hypertension and mild hypertension, can reduce stroke-related mortality by 35%–40%, but myocardial infarction-related mortality is reduced by only 15%–20%.