Treatments in Conventional Medicine and Their Limitations
Conventional medicine prescribes chemical drugs such as beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, and diuretics to suppress the continuous activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and to forcefully excrete fluids.
[Limitations and Critical Perspective]
These chemical drugs may be essential to alleviate symptoms that arise during the progression of the disease.
However, patients must rely on these drugs for life, and as time passes, they can induce a vicious cycle of renal dysfunction, hyponatremia, and electrolyte imbalance.
Since our body is organically connected, if the overall structural collapse (remodeling) of the heart muscle and the barren systemic environment caused by intestinal congestion are not improved, heart failure will continuously worsen.
In particular, Statins, which are conventionally prescribed under the pretext of preventing cardiovascular disease, can deplete Coenzyme Q10, the core energy source of the heart muscle, further reducing the heart's contractility and vitality in the long term, so they should not be blindly trusted.
BM's Integrative Solution: Cardiopulmonary Stability Design Encompassing Chemical Drugs and Natural Substances
We do not divide medicine by the old dichotomy of 'Western medicine and herbal medicine.'
There are only artificially synthesized chemical drugs and natural substances derived from nature.
Based on the perspective of internal medicine led by Korean Medicine physicians, BM Korean Internal Medicine Clinic protects life by operating and controlling the actions of chemical drugs like diuretics and hormone suppressants according to Korean Medicine theory during acute exacerbations or severe fluid retention.
Furthermore, we provide true integrative treatment that actively utilizes natural substances and acupuncture for the long-term improvement of the heart muscle's environment and systemic inflammation control.
- Tonifying Heart and Lung & Invigorating Spleen to Promote Diuresis (Bo-ik-sim-pye and Geon-bi-i-su / 補益心肺, 健脾利水): Using core natural substances like Ginseng, Astragalus, and Poria to replenish the exhausted energy of the heart and lungs, and restoring the function of the digestive system (gastrointestinal tract) to fundamentally improve systemic inflammation and fluid retention (congestion).
- Invigorating Blood and Removing Stasis (Hwal-hyeol-geo-eo / 活血祛瘀): Gently loosening accumulated waste products in the heart muscle and blood vessels using Salvia and Safflower, and promoting microcirculation to suppress the structural deterioration (hypertrophy and remodeling) of the heart muscle.
- Acupuncture: Stimulating acupoints directly connected to the heart and kidneys to calm extreme sympathetic nervous system excitation, and deeply restoring the fatigue and autonomic nervous system instability caused by long-term diuretic use.
- Lifestyle Redesign (Health Freedom Camp): Through the HF Camp, we completely correct risk factors that increase blood pressure and diets that cause gut microbiome imbalances.
Completely improving the conditions around the heart and systemic organs to create a body environment where heart failure cannot progress is the completion of treatment.
Global Research Results Based on Modern Korean Medicine (Scientific Evidence)
Modern Korean Medicine does not stay in the ancient past, but actively embraces scientific clinical data to integrate the tools and overcome the limitations of conventional medicine.
The following are research results demonstrating that Korean Medicine interventions and core drugs create excellent synergy or serve as superior alternatives to the chemical drugs of the existing universal medical system.
- Efficacy of Multi-Target Natural Substances in Improving Chronic Heart Failure and Suppressing Cardiac Remodeling (Large-Scale RCT)
According to a large-scale global randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 512 patients with chronic heart failure, the treatment group based on core natural substances like Ginseng, Astragalus, and Salvia showed a statistically highly significant and substantial reduction in NT-proBNP levels, a key indicator of heart failure exacerbation, compared to the control group receiving only standard chemical drug therapy. Furthermore, objective cardiac function and patient quality of life (QoL) clearly improved, including an enhanced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) and increased 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD). This demonstrated outstanding safety and a synergistic effect in suppressing the structural deterioration of the heart muscle without the long-term toxicity seen with single-target chemical drugs.
- Li X, Zhang J, Huang J, et al. A multicenter, randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled study of the effects of Qili Qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2013;62(12):1065-1072. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2013.05.035
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- Cardiovascular Disease Protection and Multi-Pathway Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Traditional Natural Substances
According to a large-scale literature review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), natural substances such as Ginseng, Astragalus, and Salvia exhibit powerful multi-pathway antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. Unlike chemical drugs that block only a single receptor leaving residual risk, natural substances have been proven to fundamentally restore the systemic cardiopulmonary environment without side effects by reducing oxidative stress, protecting vascular endothelial function, and preventing myocardial cell apoptosis.
- Hao P, Jiang F, Cheng J, Ma L, Zhang Y, Zhao Y. Traditional Chinese medicine for cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2017;69(24):2952-2966. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.04.041
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- Clinical Efficacy and Autonomic Stabilization Effect of Acupuncture on Cardiovascular Disease and Heart Failure
An analysis of global clinical studies applying acupuncture to patients with cardiovascular disease and heart failure showed that the group combining conventional treatment with acupuncture exhibited significantly improved Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and decreased vascular resistance due to the suppression of excessive sympathetic nerve excitation and the activation of the vagus nerve (parasympathetic nerve). It also reduces peripheral vascular resistance by promoting the production of Nitric Oxide (NO). Acupuncture has been proven to be a highly safe and effective non-pharmacological alternative procedure that relieves the pumping burden of the heart and improves the patient's exercise capacity and quality of life without the risk of side effects such as fatigue, insomnia, and electrolyte imbalance caused by the long-term use of diuretics or heart medications.
