Cardiovascular Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different cardiovascular disease patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, often linked to atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries, narrowing them and making it harder for blood to flow. This can lead to severe health issues such as coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease, which can cause angina, heart attacks, and heart failure. Recognizing and managing risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking is critical for prevention and treatment, underscoring the need for lifestyle changes and medical interventions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach to cardiovascular disease, viewing it not just as a problem of the heart and vessels but as a symptom of wider imbalances in the body's energy system. TCM posits that such disorders arise from disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, imbalances in Yin and Yang or invasions of External Pathological Factors.
Diagnosing the specific disharmony, whether it be Qi stagnation, Blood Stasis, or Yin Deficiency, is essential in TCM as it directs the customized herbal and acupuncture treatments aimed at correcting these imbalances and restoring overall health.
TCM Patterns for Cardiovascular Disease
Heat in Gall Bladder
Causes: Mild chills alternating with pronounced fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Spitting up bitter or sour fluids, Thirst, Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria, Nausea, Epigastrium fullness
Yang Deficiency
Insufficient yang qi causing coldness, fatigue, and diminished physiological functions throughout the body
Causes: Generalized body pain, Aching bones and joints, Cold extremities, No thirst, Aversion to cold - especially at the back
Yin Deficiency
Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body
Causes: Irritability, Palpitations with anxiety, Fatigue, Insomnia with very restless sleep, Inability to think or concentrate for even short periods of time, Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions, Forgetfulness, Dry stools, Mouth sores, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Diminished hearing, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headaches, Insomnia, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurred vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Dry skin, Withered and brittle nails, Dry vagina, Night sweats, Nocturnal emissions, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Delayed period, Infertility, Melasma
Blood Stasis
Blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels
Causes: Severe epigastric pain that may worsen at night, Dislike of pressure on epigastric area, Nausea or vomiting, Possible vomiting of blood, Bloody stools, Palpitations, Chest pain, Chest fullness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple lips, Purple nails, Painful period, Dark clots in menstrual blood
Herbal Formulas for Cardiovascular Disease
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address cardiovascular disease