Heart Care Rooted in Both Tradition and Modern Science
The Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Longhua Hospital — affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine — is one of China's leading centers for integrative cardiac care, combining evidence-based modern cardiology with the cardiovascular traditions of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The department specializes in the management of coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, and cardiometabolic conditions through a holistic approach that addresses not only the heart itself, but the patient's constitution, lifestyle, and long-term cardiovascular health.
For international patients seeking cardiac care that goes beyond medication and procedures — incorporating TCM herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary medicine, and mind-body approaches alongside modern cardiology — Longhua Hospital's cardiovascular department offers a uniquely comprehensive model of heart care. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides seamless coordination for international patients throughout their treatment journey.
About the Department
Longhua Hospital's cardiovascular medicine department is a national key TCM clinical specialty with a long history of integrative cardiac research and clinical practice. The department operates dedicated inpatient cardiac wards, a coronary care unit (CCU), outpatient clinics for coronary disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, and hypertension, and a dedicated TCM cardiac rehabilitation program.
The department's research program has produced a substantial body of evidence supporting the use of specific TCM herbal formulas in cardiovascular disease — including studies on the cardioprotective effects of Chinese herbal compounds in coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Faculty members publish regularly in leading cardiology and integrative medicine journals including Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), European Heart Journal, and Phytomedicine.
Conditions Treated
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) — Stable angina, post-MI management, and secondary prevention; TCM herbal therapy for plaque stabilization, anti-platelet effects, and symptom management
- Heart Failure — HFrEF and HFpEF management; guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) combined with TCM qi-tonifying and yang-warming herbal formulas for symptom relief and functional improvement
- Atrial Fibrillation — Rate and rhythm control; anticoagulation management; TCM herbal therapy for AF recurrence prevention and symptom management
- Hypertension — Resistant and difficult-to-control hypertension; TCM liver-calming and kidney-tonifying herbal formulas as adjunctive antihypertensive therapy
- Cardiomyopathy — Dilated, hypertrophic, and ischemic cardiomyopathy; TCM support for cardiac remodeling prevention
- Cardiac Rehabilitation — Post-MI, post-PCI, and post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation integrating TCM exercise therapy (Qigong, Tai Chi), herbal medicine, dietary therapy, and psychological support
- Palpitations & Functional Cardiac Symptoms — TCM diagnosis and treatment of palpitations, chest tightness, and anxiety-related cardiac symptoms not fully explained by structural disease
- Hyperlipidemia & Cardiometabolic Risk — Statin therapy combined with TCM lipid-lowering herbal formulas (Red Yeast Rice-based and others); lifestyle and dietary medicine
- Peripheral Vascular Disease — TCM blood-activating herbal therapy for lower extremity ischemia and microvascular disease
- Post-COVID Cardiac Symptoms — TCM management of long COVID cardiac manifestations including palpitations, chest pain, and exercise intolerance
The Integrative Cardiology Approach
Modern Cardiology: Evidence-Based Disease Management
Longhua's cardiology team provides full guideline-concordant modern cardiac care, including:
- Comprehensive cardiac diagnostics: ECG, Holter monitoring, echocardiography, stress testing, coronary CT angiography, and cardiac MRI
- Guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure, coronary disease, and arrhythmias
- Anticoagulation management for atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk
- Coordination with interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery at partner hospitals for patients requiring PCI, TAVR, or bypass surgery
- Cardiac device management (pacemaker, ICD, CRT) in collaboration with electrophysiology specialists
TCM Cardiovascular Therapy
TCM offers several well-researched contributions to cardiovascular care that complement modern treatment:
Herbal Cardioprotection: Longhua's cardiovascular team uses evidence-based herbal formulas with documented cardioprotective properties, including formulas based on Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) for coronary blood flow improvement, Huang Qi (Astragalus) for cardiac function support in heart failure, and Ling Zhi (Ganoderma) for lipid modulation and anti-arrhythmic effects. These compounds have been studied in rigorous clinical trials and are used as adjuncts to, not replacements for, standard cardiac medications.
Heart Failure Support: TCM qi-tonifying and yang-warming formulas have demonstrated benefits in heart failure patients, including improvements in exercise tolerance, quality of life, and NT-proBNP levels in clinical studies. These formulas are used alongside GDMT to provide additive symptomatic benefit.
Atrial Fibrillation Management: Selected TCM herbal formulas have shown anti-arrhythmic properties in clinical research, with evidence for reducing AF recurrence rates when used alongside antiarrhythmic drugs or after cardioversion. Longhua's team has been involved in clinical trials evaluating TCM for AF management.
Hypertension Control: TCM liver-calming and kidney-tonifying herbal formulas have demonstrated modest but clinically meaningful antihypertensive effects in clinical studies, and are used as adjunctive therapy in patients with difficult-to-control hypertension or significant medication side effects.
TCM Cardiac Rehabilitation
Longhua's cardiac rehabilitation program is one of its most distinctive offerings for international patients. The program integrates:
- Qigong & Tai Chi — Evidence-based mind-body exercise with proven benefits for blood pressure, heart rate variability, exercise capacity, and psychological wellbeing in cardiac patients
- Dietary Medicine — TCM dietary therapy combined with modern cardiac nutrition guidelines for lipid management, blood pressure control, and weight optimization
- Acupuncture — For angina symptom management, arrhythmia control, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in cardiac patients
- Psychological Support — TCM mind-body approaches for cardiac anxiety, depression, and the psychological burden of chronic heart disease
Why International Patients Choose Longhua Cardiovascular Medicine
- Integrative Expertise — Full modern cardiology combined with evidence-based TCM herbal therapy, acupuncture, and cardiac rehabilitation
- TCM Research Leadership — Decades of clinical research on TCM cardiovascular compounds with publications in leading international journals
- Cardiac Rehabilitation — Unique TCM-integrated rehabilitation program incorporating Qigong, Tai Chi, dietary medicine, and psychological support
- Holistic Risk Management — Addressing cardiovascular risk factors through both pharmacological and lifestyle-based TCM approaches
- Post-COVID Cardiac Care — Specialized TCM protocols for long COVID cardiac manifestations
- Cost-Effectiveness — World-class integrative cardiac care at significantly lower cost than equivalent treatment in Western countries
The CMCS Patient Journey
- Initial Inquiry — Share your cardiac history, ECG reports, echocardiography results, recent blood tests, and current medications with CMCS.
- Medical Record Preparation — We translate and organize your records for specialist pre-consultation review.
- Specialist Matching — We identify the most appropriate integrative cardiologist based on your specific condition.
- Priority Scheduling — We secure a consultation with minimal waiting time.
- Travel & Logistics — Assistance with visa invitation letters, accommodation near Longhua Hospital, and Shanghai airport transfers.
- On-Site Concierge — Bilingual coordinators accompany you throughout your hospital visits, managing registration, translation, and communication.
- Treatment Coordination — Full coordination of cardiac diagnostics, herbal prescription dispensing, acupuncture sessions, and rehabilitation program enrollment.
- Post-Treatment Follow-Up — Test result translation, treatment plan interpretation, herbal prescription renewal, and remote follow-up after you return home.
Book a Consultation
If you are seeking integrative cardiovascular care in Shanghai — whether for coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, or cardiac rehabilitation — CMCS can arrange a specialist consultation with Longhua Hospital's cardiovascular medicine team.
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