Acupuncture for Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review of Clinical Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Translational Perspectives

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of global mortality and disability, imposing a profound societal burden. While conventional pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions are foundational, they are frequently limited by adverse effects, postoperative complications, and suboptimal long-term prognoses. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA), core components of traditional Chinese medicine, have attracted growing attention as low-risk, non-invasive, neuromodulatory therapies. A growing body of clinical data suggests that acupuncture/EA may be beneficial in managing diverse CVDs, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations have expanded into modern interdisciplinary fields, revealing complex regulatory networks involving central neuromodulation, intracellular signaling, cytoprotection, and the gut microbiota. This narrative review synthesizes the core clinical evidence and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture/EA in cardiovascular care. We additionally collate standardized clinical protocols, encompassing core acupoints and stimulation parameters. Finally, this paper critically examines current research limitations and outlines future translational trajectories, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for integrating acupuncture/EA into standardized CVD prevention and treatment research.