Experience in Treating Atherosclerosis Based on Professor Guo Shuwen’s Theory of “Qi Deficiency and Turbid Stasis”

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is the pathological basis leading to various chronic internal diseases, such as peripheral atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, etc. Professor Guo Shuwen, based on the pathophysiological characteristics of atherosclerosis and plaque formation, believes that the gradual decline in physical function and metabolic function in middle-aged and elderly people leads to the formation of pathological products, which in turn cause the occurrence and development of diseases. Therefore, clinical practice emphasizes the key pathological links of “gradual deficiency” or “intrinsic deficiency”. Qi deficiency is the root cause of the formation of pathological products such as turbidity, phlegm, blood stasis, and toxicity. That is, Qi deficiency does not circulate, turbid phlegm is diffuse, and blood stasis is the main pathological characteristics. The theory of “Qi deficiency, turbidity, and blood stasis” is proposed to treat atherosclerosis. Clinically, the method of nourishing Qi to resolve turbidity and promoting blood circulation to clear the meridians is applied, and the therapeutic effect is satisfactory.