STAT+: A controversial new study examines traditional Chinese medicine’s potential cardiac benefits
"Now is the time to prove whether this is a fluke, or a reflection of true benefit, and to investigate what may be responsible,” said cardiologist Harlan Krumholz.
A traditional Chinese medicine compound used for cardiac benefits might help reduce the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and even cardiac death rates, according to a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
However, some outside experts expressed skepticism about the result.
Tongxinluo — which means “to open (tong) the network (luo) of the heart (xin)” in Mandarin — is a traditional Chinese medicine compound made out of a mixture of powders and extracts from plants, centipedes, cicadas, and other sources.
What's Your Reaction?
