Approximately 2 million myocardial infarctions occur annually in China. While revolutionary advances in surgical interventions and thrombolytic drugs have saved many lives in recent years, numerous patients who recover face the persistent threat of recurrent heart attacks. The recurrence rate is alarmingly high, with some patients experiencing 2-3 episodes within a single year. Each recurrence inevitably worsens the condition, stemming from the failure to address the underlying cause of the initial infarction.
Myocardial infarction occurs when atherosclerotic plaques form in the patient's blood vessels, eventually blocking them. Even before completely obstructing the vessel, these plaques act like ticking time bombs, capable of rupturing at any moment. Fragments from the ruptured plaque travel through the bloodstream, forming clots that can block vessels, completely cutting off the heart's blood supply and triggering a heart attack.Since the body's vascular system is interconnected, plaque formation occurs throughout the system. After a myocardial infarction, placing a stent in a severely narrowed area may not prevent recurrence, as plaque elsewhere can gradually reblock vessels.Moreover, restenosis can occur at the stent implantation site. Since stents are foreign objects to blood vessels, impurities in the blood easily accumulate and clog the area—much like how weeds in a water channel lead to silt buildup.Additionally, thrombolysis and stenting only reopen major vessels. The microvessels that actually supply the heart remain blocked due to necrosis, leaving the infarct area deprived of blood flow. This prevents full recovery of cardiac function.
To prevent recurrent myocardial infarction, patients must continue medication after interventional procedures or thrombolysis. This includes taking statins to lower blood lipids to optimal levels, and anticoagulants like aspirin or clopidogrel to inhibit platelet aggregation. Concurrently, traditional Chinese medicines that promote blood circulation should be administered.Traditional Chinese medicines for promoting blood circulation not only enhance lipid-lowering effects when combined with statins and anticoagulant effects when combined with aspirin—thereby protecting vascular endothelium, inhibiting plaque formation, and stabilizing vulnerable plaques—but also prevent restenosis after myocardial infarction while protecting and repairing microvessels in the infarct area.Additionally, patients should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, including a low-fat diet, moderate exercise, regular sleep patterns, and staying warm to minimize risk factors that could trigger recurrent myocardial infarction.