Coronary Artery Disease (Adjunctive Care)

Also known as: Coronary artery disease, Coronary heart disease, Ischaemic heart disease, Angina pectoris, Stable angina, Atherosclerosis

Coronary artery disease is the narrowing of the heart's arteries by atherosclerotic plaque, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle and causing angina (chest pressure or pain on exertion), shortness of breath and fatigue; plaque rupture causes heart attack [1][2]. It is the leading cause of death in Australia, and management is firmly medical: risk factor control (blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, weight, activity), antiplatelet and statin therapy, and procedures such as stenting or bypass surgery where indicated [1][2][3]. Cardiac rehabilitation after events improves survival and quality of life [3]. Chinese medicine has a long tradition of treating Xiōng Bì 胸痹 (chest obstruction) patterns, and some Chinese studies suggest acupuncture and herbal adjuncts may help angina symptoms, but evidence quality is mixed and these approaches must only ever complement, never replace, cardiology care and prescribed medicines [4][5]. Chest pain is never treated as a primary acupuncture presentation without medical assessment.