There can be various potential causes for heart palpitations and while most are not serious, they can be an indication of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or other hidden conditions. Palpitations can also occur in people suffering from a panic attack or those with a hyperthyroid condition. It can also occur when you do intense exercise or physical activity; when overly stressed, more so when sensing a real direct or indirect threat to your health or life; or if you take in too much caffeine.
Problems with blood circulation can occur when you suffer from arterial collusion or arteriosclerosis. When you have a condition that affects the peripheral artery, which can also lead to a circulatory disorder, this may be due to poor blood circulation to your extremities which in turn, is caused by a narrowing of your arteries. When an artery is blocked or has narrowed, it can be a sign of atherosclerosis in which circulation is severely limited due to accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Angina is another arterial disease which leads to circulation deficiencies to the heart. The build-up of plaque significantly raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke in a person. To treat blood circulation problems, Western medical physicians prescribe medications for reducing cholesterol, the risk of blood clotting, or high blood pressure. The other conventional treatments for these issues are angioplasty or bypass surgery.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the symptoms of heart palpitations can be caused by a few possible diagnostic patterns. They include heart Qi deficiency, yin/yang deficiency, and blood stagnation. The acupuncturist will target the proper acupuncture points in order to address these issues. The flow of Qi in the body stabilizes blood flow within the arteries. The Taiyuan or Lung 9 (Lu 9) acupuncture point is one important acupoint that is often used to treat heart palpitations and other circulatory problems.
Palpitations associated with hyperthyroidism or anxiety can be effectively treated with Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture. Acupuncture can also be used for other problems such as cigarette addiction, weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, among many others.
The cause or causes of your blood flow issues and heart palpitations will determine the appropriate form of Chinese medicine treatment for your condition. We now know that these problems can due to various factors. A correct Chinese medicine diagnosis is needed in order to address the underlying root of your condition. Consultation with a licensed and qualified acupuncturist who has extensive experience in treating blood flow issues and palpitations is critical for the proper treatment of these diseases. You can still opt for acupuncture as an adjunct treatment if you are using conventional modalities. It is likely that your acupuncturist will recommend that you quit smoking for good and eat the right kinds of food to treat or even totally cure those health problems.