Significance of Japanese Kampo Medicine in Supportive Care of Heart Failure/Function

Heart failure (HF) accounts for about 23. million patients worldwide. Diagnosing HF in patients is still poor and a prospective approach to prevent and treat HF is essential. In Japan, the number of HF patients has been growing since 1950, chiefly due to a swiftly aging population. In addition, diminished physical activity, a Westernized dietary pattern, and obesity have become conspicuous, mainly in younger Japanese men. Intensifying inclination toward diabetes and dyslipidemia and the prevalence of smoking and hypertension remain high. Japan's medical care is recognized for the ability to access both Kampo and Western medical care at the same time. There have been many publications based on studies that demonstrate analgesic or supportive care for cardiac function using Kampo preparations. In this chapter, we summarize the use of traditional therapeutic Kampo formulations for supportive cardiac care in Japan.