Multidimensional Mechanisms of Hypertension and Advances in Diagnosis and Integrated TCM-Based Treatment: A Review

Figures

• 

  Figure 1. Graphical abstract of the multidimensional overview of hypertension, from epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms and Traditional Chinese medicine-based integrated management to future research directions.

• 

  Figure 2. Multidimensional epidemiological risk factors contributing to hypertension. Hypertension is a multifactorial disease influenced by a range of epidemiological factors, including lifestyle-related risks, inflammatory and metabolic abnormalities, genetic susceptibility, environmental and climatic exposures, and occupational factors in specific populations. hs-CRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

• 

  Figure 3. Diagnostic strategies for hypertension. A summary of conventional and emerging diagnostic strategies for hypertension. Conventional diagnosis is based on office blood pressure measurement, whereas newer approaches include 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, home blood pressure monitoring, genetic testing, and biomarker assessment.

• 

  Figure 4. Pathophysiological mechanisms of hypertension. The pathophysiology of hypertension involves the interaction of vascular dysfunction, endocrine regulation, and neural mechanisms. Understanding these interconnected processes is important for clarifying disease development and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

• 

  Figure 5. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment strategies for hypertension. This figure summarizes the main TCM treatment strategies for hypertension, including compound herbal formulas and single-herb therapies, acupuncture and acupoint-based interventions, and integrated TCM–Western medicine approaches. It also illustrates the proposed mechanisms by which Tianma Gouteng Decoction (TMGTY) and Jiawei Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction (JBBTD) may improve hypertension. Acupuncture and acupoint-based therapies may be used alone or in combination with herbal treatment. Although integrated TCM–Western medicine approaches have shown potential benefit in blood pressure control, further methodological improvement and stronger quality control are still needed in future research and clinical application.