A Traditional Chinese Medicine has been shown to reduce the risk of major complications, further attacks, and death for at least a year after a first heart attack
The Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tongxinluo, whose name means to 'open the network of the heart', has been at the centre of the research.
Findings reveal the promise of Tongxinluo - a compound made of extracts derived from seven herbs and animals including cockroach, scorpion, cicada, centipede, and leech - in the first Western large-scale clinical trial of its kind.
Tongxinluo has long been used in the East as a traditional Chinese therapy to treat patients who have experienced heart attacks or strokes.
"Many currently used drugs were first recognised by the study of natural or home remedies," says researcher Eric Peterson, M.D., M.P.H.
"While we do not know the exact active ingredient and mechanism of action in this traditional Chinese medicine that caused these benefits, it does point us toward exploring and refining this therapy."
His associate stressed that because Tongxinluo is made of multiple components, further research should focus on determining which ones are responsible for these effects and how they reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in the body.
A similar Chinese clinical trial is in the works to test Tongxinluo's safety and efficacy in patients who have suffered minor ischemic strokes.
"Many drugs have failed to achieve effects as impressive as this traditional Chinese medicine," said investigator Dr. Xian.
"Tongxinluo deserves further study."
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