Protecting Your Heart in Winter: TCM Perspectives on Prevention and Daily Habits

Pressing a single acupoint may buy valuable time in a heart emergency.

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Heart attack risk rises during the winter months, when cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict and increase strain on the cardiovascular system. Medical experts emphasize that symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden palpitations require immediate medical attention.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also offers perspectives on how seasonal changes affect the heart and circulation. These approaches focus primarily on long-term prevention and daily health maintenance, including lifestyle habits, stress management, and gentle stimulation of certain acupoints.

Heart-Related Acupoints

In traditional Chinese medicine, certain acupoints are believed to support circulation and regulate the flow of qi (vital energy) associated with the heart meridian. Practitioners sometimes use these points as part of preventive care or routine wellness practices.

One example is Ji Quan (HT1).

Location: In the center of the armpit.

Method: Using your fingers, firmly pinch the ji quan acupoint while simultaneously pressing on the pectoralis major muscle until you feel a mild pain.

Effect: Stimulating the ji quan acupoint is believed to promote rapid blood return to the heart, reduce cardiac strain, and help stabilize blood pressure.

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In emergencies, such as chest tightness, irregular heartbeat, or even loss of consciousness, this technique may help buy critical, life-saving time for oneself or others.

Key Acupoint for Better Sleep

A recent news report described a college student with high blood pressure and prediabetes who habitually stayed up late gaming during summer break and suffered a stroke at a young age.

Chronic sleep deprivation can damage blood vessels and place excessive strain on the heart.

A 2023 systematic review found that people who sleep fewer than five hours per night have a 1.56-fold higher risk of myocardial infarction compared with those who sleep seven to eight hours. People with insomnia face an even greater risk, at 1.69 times.

However, sleeping longer is not always better. People who sleep six hours per night may have a lower risk of myocardial infarction than those who sleep more than nine hours.

Massaging the shen men (HT7) acupoint on both hands for one to two minutes before bedtime may help calm the mind, promote sleep onset, and improve overall sleep quality.

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Location: On the wrist crease, along the line extending between the little finger and the ring finger.

People at High Risk of Myocardial Infarction

The following four groups are at higher risk of myocardial infarction:

1. Adults in their 50s and 60s
2. People with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood lipid levels, or a family history of these conditions
3. People with poor lifestyle habits, such as smoking, chronic overwork, or long-term sleep deprivation
4. People with infections or inflammatory conditions

Myocardial infarction is closely associated with reduced vascular elasticity.

A simple self-check may help assess blood vessel elasticity: Clench your fist tightly for a few seconds, then release it and observe how quickly the color returns to your palm.

If normal color returns within three seconds, vascular elasticity is generally considered good. A slower return of color may indicate stiffer blood vessels and a higher risk of atherosclerosis or impaired circulation.

Dietary Remedy for Preventing Stroke and Myocardial Infarction

To help improve vascular elasticity and promote healthy blood circulation, a traditional preparation is often recommended:

Black Fungus, Red Date, and Ginger Soup

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 pieces of fresh black fungus
• 6 slices of aged ginger
• 15 red dates lightly scored with two cuts

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients to approximately 41 fluid ounces of water.
2. Place the mixture in an electric cooker and add 1½ cups of water to the outer pot.
3. Cook until the cooker switches off automatically, then serve warm.

For a thicker consistency, remove the ginger slices, transfer the remaining ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth. Sugar may be added to taste, if desired.

If using a stovetop instead of an electric cooker, add the ingredients to approximately 61 fluid ounces of water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes.

A 2022 study found that polysaccharides in black fungus have anticoagulant effects and may help prevent blood clot formation.

Red dates are rich in cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which may help dilate the coronary arteries and enhance myocardial contractility. In vivo animal studies suggest that the cardiovascular benefits of eating red dates may be mediated through the regulation of nitric oxide.

A 2021 review using cell structures or animal models indicated that eating ginger was associated with improvements in blood lipid levels and blood pressure, reductions in inflammatory markers, and decreased excessive platelet aggregation.

Homemade preparations made with the above ingredients are recommended as alternatives to commercially available fruit juices, sugar-sweetened beverages, and alcoholic beverages.

A 2020 study found that women who drank one serving of sugar-sweetened fruit drinks daily had a 42 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Winter Precautions for Cardiovascular Health

Cold winter weather increases the risk of both myocardial infarction and stroke.

A 2023 study from Japan analyzed more than 2,000 bath-related deaths in Kagoshima Prefecture. Nearly 90 percent involved adults aged 65 and older, with most incidents occurring in home bathtubs. From a seasonal perspective, more than half of the deaths occurred during the winter months, December through February.

The study also identified a strong association with ambient temperature: the lower the temperature, the higher the risk. Based on these findings, researchers advise older adults to avoid bathing during extremely cold weather.

The following precautions are recommended during the winter months:

Avoid Bathing Immediately After Returning Home

Taking a hot shower immediately after coming in from the cold can cause abrupt temperature changes, leading to sudden dilation of blood vessels. This may pose a serious risk for people with cardiovascular conditions.

It is advisable to first drink a cup of warm water to warm the body, then turn on the bathroom heater and bathe only after the room temperature has increased. Bathing time should be limited to no more than 10 minutes to reduce the risk of falls due to dizziness.

Keep Warm Immediately After Bathing

A reported case involved a man in his 30s with high blood pressure who stepped onto a cold floor after bathing and suddenly developed a headache, weakness on the right side of his body, and slurred speech. He was later diagnosed with a stroke.

Such incidents may occur as sharp temperature changes cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to a rapid rise in blood pressure.

Prepare Warm Clothing by Your Bedside

When getting up at night or in the early morning, move your arms and legs while still in bed to warm up before standing.

Keep warm clothing within reach by the bedside and put it on before leaving the bed.

Cold weather places additional stress on the cardiovascular system, making prevention especially important during winter months. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and seeking prompt medical care when symptoms arise remain the most effective ways to protect heart health.

Traditional Chinese medicine offers perspectives on seasonal wellness, but any sudden chest symptoms should always be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate professional care.

Emergency Warning

If you experience chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, or sudden discomfort in the chest, arm, neck, or jaw, call 911 immediately. These symptoms may signal a heart attack or other medical emergency. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat yourself at home. Prompt medical care is essential and can be lifesaving.

This article discusses traditional health concepts and preventive lifestyle approaches. These practices are not intended to replace emergency medical treatment.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.