How To Best Support Your Health With A Pacemaker Of The Heart

Are you one of the nearly 3 million Americans with a pacemaker of the heart? The risk of needing one dramatically increases with age. In fact, over 70% of all pacemaker procedures occur in people over 65 years old.

One study found that among patients with a pacemaker of the heart, the average survival rate was 8.5 years with 44.8% of patients alive after 10 years and 21.4% alive after 20 years.

Luckily, there are many things you can do to support your cardiac health if you have a pacemaker of the heart using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Here’s how.

What Is A Pacemaker Of The Heart?

A pacemaker of the heart is a device that is surgically implanted in your body to support your heart’s electrical system. It can help with abnormal heart rhythms and other cardiovascular problems that may endanger your life.

Your heart’s electrical system tells your heart chambers when it’s time to squeeze to pump out blood. When this system malfunctions, your heart may squeeze in the wrong order. It may also become too weak to pump enough blood throughout your body. A pacemaker of the heart works by sending electrical impulses to your heart chamber to correct malfunctions.

Your doctor may suggest a pacemaker of the heart if you have:

• A history of heart attacks
• Heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart beating)
• Heart blocks and other disruptions of your electrical system
• Heart failure

Pacemaker Of The Heart, According To TCM

TCM and modern medicine are in agreement when it comes to the need for a pacemaker of the heart.

From TCM’s perspective, there are two types of imbalances or pathological causatives that lead to heart complications: 

• The formation, chronic accumulation, and deposition of endogenic pathogens, such as Cold, Fire, Dampness, Phlegm, Stagnated Qi, fluid retention, and blood clots 
• Deficiencies of the yang and qi energies belonging to the Heart and also the four other vital viscera: Liver, Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys 

According to Physician Yew, the above-mentioned are a result of factors like: 

• Work stress 
• Poor work-life and rest balance 

• Insufficient and poor-quality rest and sleep 
• Prolonged physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle; lack of regular exercise 
• Poor emotional management  
• Unhealthy diet and poor eating habits 
• Bad lifestyle habits and choices like binge drinking and smoking 

• Chronic medical conditions 
• Long-term use of medications  

TCM Ways To Support Heart Health

TCM can support heart health through herbal medication, acupuncture, cupping, tuina (Chinese manual therapy), moxibustion, guasha (scraping), and blood-letting.

Herbal remedies

Below listed are some herbal formulas that can support your health if you have a pacemaker of the heart: 

• Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang: Dissipates blood clots and boosts blood circulation within the Liver and Heart 
• Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang and Sheng Mai San: Restores and boosts blood circulation to the Heart 
• Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang, and Zhen Wu Tang: Dissipates fluid retention, facilitating better blood and fluid circulation to the Heart  
• Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi: Facilitates better fluid circulation to the Heart 

Lingzhi contains cardioprotective properties that may be useful if you have a pacemaker of the heart. One study found that Lingzhi may help protect against heart damage from a variety of conditions. It also reduces the suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

Red yeast rice supplements also have proven cardioprotective benefits. They are especially beneficial for lowering high cholesterol. Meanwhile, taking an herbal supplement to reduce high blood pressure may also support heart health by reducing the pressure put on the heart to pump blood throughout the body.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an easy self-help remedy you can do by placing your fingers or a blunt object like a massage stick at certain acupoints and applying an appropriate amount of pressure to elicit a tolerable sensation of soreness or tenderness. At the same time, massage in both clockwise and anticlockwise circular motion 20 times each. Repeat for at least 3 minutes per acupoint.

The acupoints that help improve blood circulation to the Heart and Lungs are:

• Dan Zhong (RN17)

• He Gu (LI4)

• Nei Guan (PC6)
• Tai Chong (LR3)

The acupoints that help dispel fluid retention are: 

• Yin Ling Quan (SP9)
• Zu San Li (ST36)
• Feng Long (ST40)
• Fu Liu (KI7)

Be sure to seek help from a certified TCM practitioner who can suggest herbal remedies and perform acupuncture safely and effectively.