Potential benefits of Chinese Herbal Medicine for elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM), as the most common form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been playing an important role in the treatment of elderly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in China. In this paper, we briefly discuss on the potential benefits of CHM for elderly patients with CVDs. Initially, we summarize the characteristics of CVDs in the elderly, the present treatment of CVDs in the elderly, and the clinical applications of CHM for CVDs. Secondly, in addition to introducing the features of CHM, we discuss the differences between CHM and Western medicine. Lastly, the potential benefits of CHM are presented. We came to a conclusion that as mutual complementary, Western medicine and TCM together shall benefit the elderly patients with CVDs.
Graduate school, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
Jing
J
Luo
Cardiovascular Diseases Centre, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China.
Hao
H
Xu
Cardiovascular Diseases Centre, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China.
Ke-Ji
KJ
Chen
Cardiovascular diseases; Chinese medicine; Elderly patients; Herb