Class on Traditional Chinese Medicine Emphasizes Communication, Collaboration

Professor Stanley Leung, from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, talks to the crowd in Asian Heart & Vascular Center's traditional Chinese Medicine lecture.

By Vanessa deGier UCSF's Asian Heart & Vascular Center recently conducted a free community education class on traditional Chinese medicine and its role in cardiovascular care. Held in the Hellman Building at Mt. Zion, the class drew a crowd of nearly 100 San Francisco residents, medical students, staff and faculty. The class was part of a community health lecture series funded by the Mount Zion Health Fund, and was one of the first collaborative efforts between the Asian Heart & Vascular Center, the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the American Heart Association. Invited guest professor Stanley Leung, MB/BS, Lac, of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine gave a lecture on how to optimally use traditional Chinese medicine in conjunction with Western medical cardiovascular disease care and prevention, inciting enthusiastic questions and responses from the crowd. Meeting the Center's Goals One of the goals of the recently opened Asian Heart & Vascular Center is to meet the specific health care needs of Chinese American immigrants in the Bay Area, as well as increase this community's accessibility to health care by providing language appropriate information and treatment. To this end, the class was conducted entirely in Cantonese. "The packed class was a clear indication of the high level of enthusiasm in the community, including many of the UCSF employees, for more knowledge on traditional Chinese medicine and language appropriate information," said Diana Lau, administrative director of the Center. "The Asian Heart & Vascular Center is still receiving requests for the class to be repeated, even in other languages such as English and Mandarin." What is Traditional Chinese Medicine? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes the use of Chinese herbs and medications, acupuncture, massage and Qigong - a practice of coordinating breathing patterns with various physical postures and motions of the body. An integral part of the Chinese culture for thousands of years, TCM has gained popularity in recent years in the U.S., especially in San Francisco where over a third of the population is Asian, according to the 2000 Census data.

Professor Stanley Leung, from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Diana Lau, RN, MS, CNS, Administrative Director of the Asian Heart & Vascular Institute, were both surprised by the enthusiastic responses in the class in Asian Heart & Vascular Center's optimal use of traditional Chinese Medicine in cardiovascular diseases.

"Many of the Chinese immigrants in San Francisco are more accustomed to the practice of traditional Chinese medicine than they are to Western medicine, and many use herbal medicines in their daily lives and as a regular part of their diet," said Lau. "Because it is such a common practice, many Chinese immigrants do not tell their healthcare providers that they are using herbal medications, as in their minds, the medicinal herbs are just food." During the talk, Leung explained how traditional Chinese medicine is largely symptom-based, and as a result, many patients who practice TCM do not seek care until symptoms arise. "Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease often do not appear until later stages when blood vessels have been damaged and severely blocked, so Chinese immigrants may miss the opportunity of receiving important primary preventive care," he said. How TCM Can Be Integrated with Western Practices Leung and Lau also emphasized the importance of open dialogue between patient and physician, and how the practice of traditional Chinese medicine can be incorporated successfully into western medical treatments. "It is very important for doctors to realize the major differences between western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, and carry an open and honest discussion with their patients regarding preventive care - especially those who have immigrated here from Asian countries," added Lau. The UCSF Asian Heart & Vascular Center provides patients with treatment that is respectful of the cultural differences that distinguish the Asian population. Patients receive information and language-appropriate educational materials about heart disease and prevention. Additionally, the center participates in research to further understand the metabolic and genetic differences of the Asian community. The Mount Zion Health Fund collaborates with UCSF at Mount Zion and its affiliates to identify health-related needs in the community. It funds programs that serve a vulnerable population whose health status, compared to the general population, is particularly compromised. Related Links: UCSF Opens First Asian Heart and Vascular Center in the United States
UCSF Today, May 15, 2006 UCSF Opens First Asian Heart & Vascular Center in the U.S.
UCSF News Release, May 10, 2006 UCSF Asian Heart and Vascular Center