Acupuncture Cardiovascular Regulation: Translational, Clinical Studies and Underlying Mechanisms

Mechanisms associated with the effects of acupuncture on cardiovascular health have been investigated in the recent decades. Although the precise mechanisms are yet unclear, a list of finding has been reported on acupuncture induced sympatho inhibition (Longhurst and Tjen-A-looi 2013) to support the promising effects of this therapy on cardiac and cerebral vascular diseases aggravated by hypertension. The common underlying mechanism, in part, relates to sympathoexcitation that occurs for instance with dietary sodium, physical and emotional stress and aberrant autonomic neuronal activity electroacupuncture (EA). We have observed that the acupuncture outcomes depend on well-defined specific EA treatment are influenced by responders and non-responders. Acupuncture may also modify ischemia in the heart and brain through angiogenesis and nerve fiber regeneration. Decreasing peak blood pressure with acupuncture could prevent these types of ischemia leading to myocardial ischemia and stroke. Alongside reduction in sympathoexcitation, acupuncture also decreases parasympathoexcitation during neurogenic syncope. Thus acupuncture has the capability to influence the cardiovascular function in patients with disease that are contributed by altered autonomic nervous system regulation, for example hypertension and hypotension.