An article by Dr Edward Leatham, Consultant Cardiologist.

As cardiologists, our primary focus is often on diagnosing, treating, and managing cardiovascular diseases, which is essential to healthcare. However, heart health involves more than just addressing immediate conditions—it also includes promoting long-term wellness and prevention. This is where Yang Sheng (養生), a concept from traditional Chinese medicine, can add valuable insights.

Yang Sheng, meaning “nourishing life,” is an ancient practice aimed at maintaining health by fostering balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. While it incorporates anti-inflammatory elements, it doesn’t use the modern term “anti-inflammatory.” Today, medicine is blending this ancient wisdom with the latest research that has identified long term ‘inflammation’ as an important modifiable risk factor for many diseases.  This discovery offers a holistic path to health that aligns with preventive medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), inflammation is seen as a disruption in the flow of Qi (vital energy) or an imbalance between Yin and Yang. By restoring balance and supporting the smooth flow of Qi, Yang Sheng can help reduce inflammation and boost overall health.  Western medicine is increasingly recognising that non pharmacological methods to reduce inflammation to stay healthy may be part of the solution to the growing global healthcare crisis.

Here’s why Yang Sheng can be an excellent complement for modern physicians and their patients seeking a more integrative approach to healthcare:

1. Holistic Prevention: Proactive Health, Not Just Disease Management

One of the guiding principles of Yang Sheng is prevention—an area cardiologists are naturally invested in. Preventing heart disease involves much more than medications and clinical interventions. Yang Sheng promotes a balanced lifestyle that encourages healthy diet, stress management, and physical activity, all of which have been shown to lower risks of hypertension, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

For example, advising patients to follow a balanced diet that includes whole, unprocessed foods aligns with both Yang Sheng and modern medical practice. This approach not only reduces heart disease risk factors like high glucose and cholesterol but also nourishes the body’s vital energy, known as Qi in Chinese medicine.

2. Emotional and Mental Health: The Mind-Body Connection

It is well known that stress plays a significant role in exacerbating heart conditions. Chronic stress can elevate cortisol levels, leading to glucose spikes, hypertension, arrhythmias, and an increased risk of myocardial infarction. One of the core principles of Yang Sheng is the cultivation of emotional well-being through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises.

Qigong (pronounced “chi-gong”) is an ancient Chinese system of physical exercise and meditation that combines movement, breathing, and mental focus. It serves as the foundation for the closely related practice of Tai Chi Chuan, which originated as a martial art but has since gained popularity as a health-promoting exercise.

Also known as Dao Yin, qigong has its roots in Daoist traditions, dating back to approximately 2146 BCE. In recent decades, qigong has been the subject of significant Western medical research. It is now recommended for reducing anxiety and depression, improving breathing and coordination, managing pain, and alleviating fatigue. Research suggests that qigong may enhance balance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, reduce fibromyalgia pain, and support cardiovascular health. Additional studies highlight its benefits for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), various cancers, and other ailments. Qigong has also been shown to improve cognition, memory, and prevent falls—benefits particularly relevant for aging adults. With its slow, low-to-no-impact movements, qigong is accessible to older adults, though people of all ages can practice and benefit from it.

Incorporating stress management strategies such as Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, or even using modern apps like ‘Headspace’ into patient care can offer an effective non-pharmacological approach to reducing stress and improving heart health. These practices not only calm the mind but also reduce adrenaline and cortisol, optimising Qi flow and supporting overall cardiovascular health.

3. Physical Activity: Moving with Purpose

In Chinese medicine, physical movement is considered essential for maintaining the free flow of Qi throughout the body. Practices like Tai Chi and Qigong offer gentle, low-impact exercise that can be particularly beneficial for patients recovering from cardiovascular events or managing chronic conditions. These exercises promote flexibility, balance, and mental clarity, while gently stimulating cardiovascular function.

Although there has been less emphasis on the importance of aerobic exercise in traditional Chinese practice (coronary heart disease may not have been as prevalent 2,000 years ago) it is an important component of modern preventative medicine, particularly known for its beneficial effects on PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, the fourth layer of cardiovascular risk).

However for patients who may not be suited for more intense forms of exercise, incorporating Tai Chi into their routine could enhance heart health by improving circulation, reducing blood pressure, and promoting relaxation, all without overexerting the body.

4. Nutrition: Food as Medicine

Cardiologists often emphasise the importance of nutrition in managing and preventing heart disease. Yang Sheng also holds food in high regard, but approaches it from the perspective of energetics. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) views foods not just for their nutrient content but for their energy properties, such as ‘warming’ or ‘cooling’ effects on the body, properties that may be less relevant to health prevention. However many of the spices and non-medicinal ingredients of TCM such as cucumin have proven anti-inflammatory properties that could have an impact in coronary inflammation, the metric linked to mortality in the FAI CT test recently featured in the press [4]. 

Adopting Yang Sheng dietary practices can help patients embrace a varied diet that not only promotes cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure but also supports overall vitality by nourishing the body’s Qi. Encouraging patients to eat fresh, seasonal foods, minimise processed foods, and tailor their diet to their individual constitution can complement a heart-healthy diet.

5. Rest and Recovery: The Healing Power of Sleep

Sleep plays a critical role in cardiovascular health, yet it’s often neglected in both modern and traditional medicine. From a Yang Sheng perspective, adequate rest is essential for restoring the body’s balance and replenishing Qi.

For patients with heart disease, ensuring restful sleep can support healing, reduce stress, and improve overall cardiovascular outcomes. Encouraging practices that promote good sleep hygiene—such as a consistent bedtime routine, reducing screen time before bed, and incorporating calming practices like meditation—can help patients optimise their recovery.

Why All Physicians Should Embrace Yang Sheng

Integrating Yang Sheng principles into cardiology and preventive medicine isn’t about replacing modern medical practices—it’s about enhancing them. By embracing this holistic philosophy, doctors can offer patients a comprehensive approach to heart health that addresses not only their physical symptoms but also their emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Encouraging patients to take an active role in their health by adopting Yang Sheng practices can foster a deeper sense of empowerment and ownership over their well-being, resulting in improved compliance with medical recommendations and better long-term outcomes.

As a cardiologist, practicing Yang Sheng aligns with the growing trend toward integrative medicine—where ancient wisdom meets modern science for a balanced, holistic approach to heart health.

Key messages

1. Most non communicable disease affecting people over age of  60 are linked to ‘inflammation’.
2. The key components of Yang Shen, align with our latest ‘anti inflammatory’ prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease.
3. Lifestyle and food choices greatly affect each individual persons inflammatory processes
4. Modern diagnostics are empowering people to discover what they can do for themselves to reduce long term inflammation through lifestyle and food choices.

Other related articles

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangsheng_(Daoism)
2. Audio book on Yang Shen

3. Anti-inflammatory activity of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs

4. ‘Game changer’ AI detects hidden heart attack risk

5. 5 reasons why a cardiologist might recommend a CGM to their patient

**Yang Sheng (養生)** is the name chosen for a lifestyle channel founded by Dr. Leatham, aimed at guiding patients toward healthier habits for a long and vibrant life. The channel offers a series of blog articles and podcasts that provide practical lifestyle advice and dietary tips. These resources are designed to help individuals adapt to modern lifestyles, which are negatively impacting so many people’s health. You can follow the channel via the podcasts or search bar above using the tag YANGSHENG.

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