II. My Clinical Experience

II. My Clinical Experience

Based on these classical texts, I have employed methods to open and unblock the chest, activate blood circulation to dissolve blood stasis, and strengthen the spleen and stomach in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Through clinical adjustments and combinations, I have achieved remarkable therapeutic results.

Opening the chest and regulating qi is a primary method in the treatment of coronary heart disease. The Guo Lou Xie Yu Tang and Guo Lou Xie Yu Ban Xia Tang formulas from "Jin Gui Yao Lü" are the most important remedies for opening the chest and regulating qi. Guo Lou regulates qi and opens the chest, clearing heat and resolving phlegm; Ban Xia promotes qi flow and resolves stagnation, while adding a small amount of baijiu enhances the power of opening the chest and dispersing stagnation. Baijiu, which was used in ancient times as modern-day huangjiu, adds a touch of spiciness and warmth to the formula, amplifying its effects. Ji Shi He Bei Gui Zhi Tang, Ren Shen Tang, Fu Ling Xing Ren Gan Cao Tang, Ju Chi Jiang Tang, and Wu Tou Chi Shi Li Wan are all effective in opening the chest and regulating qi; I also frequently use these formulas, as "Jin Gui Yao Lü" states: "For chest obstruction, with a feeling of fullness in the chest, qi stagnation in the chest, chest fullness, and a sensation of pressure in the flank, Ji Shi He Bei Gui Zhi Tang is prescribed; Ren Shen Tang is also recommended." "For chest obstruction, with chest qi blockage and shortness of breath, Fu Ling Xing Ren Gan Cao Tang is prescribed; Ju Chi Jiang Tang is also recommended." "For heart pain that radiates to the back, and back pain that radiates to the heart, Chi Shi Li Wan is prescribed." Zhang Jing suggested that feelings of fullness in the chest, chest fullness, pressure in the flank, heart palpitations, chest qi blockage, shortness of breath, heart pain radiating to the back, and back pain radiating to the heart were all common clinical symptoms of coronary heart disease. All of the above formulas were effective in treating coronary heart disease; over decades, I have successfully treated coronary heart disease using these formulas. Besides Guo Lou and Bai, ingredients such as Ji Shi, Chen Pi, fresh ginger, Wu Tou, Fu Zi, Chuan Jiao, Gan Jiang, Xing Ren, and Chi Shi Li Wan were all commonly used in my treatment of coronary heart disease.

Activating blood circulation to dissolve blood stasis is another key method in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Since the advent of integrated TCM-Western medicine, people have begun to use methods that aim to remove atherosclerotic plaques from the coronary arteries and reduce myocardial infarction. Early researchers noticed that Wang Qingren’s Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, which was prescribed for conditions such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing—symptoms very similar to those of today’s coronary heart disease—was effective in treating coronary heart disease.

Subsequently, a collaborative group in Beijing developed the “Kuan Xin Hao” formula (Chi Shu, Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua, Jiang Xiang, Dan Shen) based on this formula. The invention of this formula greatly elevated the overall level of TCM treatment for coronary heart disease; combining this formula with the previously mentioned Guo Lou Xie Yu Tang resulted in even better therapeutic outcomes. I added 10g of Water Plant and 3g of Han San Qi to the formula, which enhanced its effectiveness. These herbs were combined into a single formula, processed by the Lanzhou Chinese Medicine Factory, and formulated into “Pei Shi Kuan Xin Ning Granules,” which have been widely used in Gansu Province for many years and enjoy high credibility among both doctors and patients. The Dan Shen and Jiang Xiang in Kuan Xin Hao were the usual ingredients of “Fufang Dan Shen Tablets,” which were further purified and concentrated, then manufactured using advanced technology into “Fufang Dan Shen Drops.” Thanks to their remarkable efficacy, these tablets have passed FDA certification in the United States and are now sold worldwide, bringing good news to countless patients with coronary heart disease.

In the treatment of coronary heart disease, during acute episodes, Western medical treatments such as thrombolysis and angioplasty are often convenient. In cases of acute myocardial infarction, procedures such as coronary angioplasty, stent placement, bypass surgery, thrombolysis, and anticoagulation are often the best options. However, some patients still experience chronic chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and chest tightness after undergoing these treatments; moreover, some patients fail to receive the aforementioned emergency treatments due to various reasons and remain in a state of chronic myocardial ischemia. In such cases, traditional Chinese medicine treatment can often achieve ideal results.

TCM Treatment for Hypertension-Related Cerebral Hemorrhage

Hypertension falls within the scope of TCM’s Yin Deficiency and Yang Excess categories; its complications from arterial sclerosis are related to Yang Excess leading to Wind. Cerebral hemorrhage, being an acute condition, often comes with hemiplegia; TCM refers to it as “Cerebral Apoplexy.” The “Su Wen” states: “When blood and qi travel upward together, they lead to severe apoplexy,” vividly describing the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of cerebral hemorrhage. In response to this insight, the renowned physician Zhang Xichun developed the Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang formula, which heavily emphasized the use of Huai Ni Xu to guide blood downward—this approach opened up a new avenue for treating hypertension. Wang Qingren created the Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, which listed dozens of indications: headache, dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and more—these symptoms were all clinical manifestations of arterial sclerosis caused by hypertension. Wang’s Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang was specifically designed to treat cerebral apoplexy with hemiplegia; in recent years, medical research has praised the efficacy of these two formulas. Building on Wang’s emphasis on blood-activating and blood-dissolving herbs, a collaborative group in Beijing developed the Kuan Xin Hao II formula (Chi Shu, Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua, Jiang Xiang, Dan Shen). Though called Kuan Xin Hao II, this formula actually demonstrated greater efficacy in treating cerebral arterial sclerosis. Over the past 20 years, this formula has become popular nationwide and is regarded as the preferred formula for treating arterial sclerosis caused by hypertension. The Dan Shen and Jiang Xiang in Kuan Xin Hao II were extracted and formulated into Fufang Dan Shen Tablets, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for treating arterial sclerosis in China. In recent years, this formula underwent rigorous manufacturing processes and was refined using advanced technology to produce Fufang Dan Shen Drops, which have now passed FDA certification in the United States and are sold worldwide. They are said to have remarkably long-term effects in preventing arterial sclerosis, while also offering clear protection against cerebral hemorrhage.

I currently employ the following diagnostic principles when treating hypertension, which I have recorded here for readers’ reference: