Acupuncture treatment in Bradycardia

Abstract

Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, meaning under 60 beats per minute. Generally, it is normal to have a slower heart rate when you’re resting and sleeping, and in some people, particularly healthy young adults and trained athletes. A slow heart rate is frequent under several circumstances and does not require treatment unless it causes symptoms. Bradycardia belongs to the category of “palpitation” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Two aspects of the pathogenesis of palpitation are deficiency and excess. Benefiting qi, nourishing yin and activating blood circulation are the general principles in treatment. In this article is presented a case of 48 years old man with bradycardia and with symptoms of chest pain and fatigue. Before coming to the TCM center and generalizing acupuncture therapies, his heart rate was 48 bpm, saturation 94% and blood pressure 150/90. Аfter 3 acupuncture treatments, his heart rate has normalized and is 76- 77 bpm. The patient has a previous history of hypothyroidism, but for the last 4 years, the hormones have been within reference values and he does not take medication at all. He is not an athlete and is not physically active. Acupuncture, as a part of TCM, is an effective treatment and gives very satisfying results in these kinds of conditions.

Keywords: bradycardia, acupuncture, TCM, treatment