Heart Attack in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different heart attack patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
A heart attack, medically known as myocardial infarction, occurs when the flow of blood to a part of the heart is blocked for a long enough period to cause damage or death to the heart muscle. Typically resulting from coronary artery disease, which sees the heart's arteries narrowed by plaque, a heart attack can manifest through symptoms like chest pain, nausea, and an overwhelming sense of anxiety. Rapid treatment is critical to reopen the blocked artery and minimize the extent of cardiac injury, helping to preserve the heart's function and the patient's life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives a heart attack not simply as a blockage of a coronary artery but as a severe imbalance in the body’s fundamental energies. According to TCM, the heart's health is linked to the state of the Qi (vital energy) and Blood (nutritive essence), and their flow through channels that sustain life. Recognizing the specific disharmony—whether it involves Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis, or Yin-Yang imbalance—is crucial. This diagnostic process determines the therapeutic approach aimed at restoring balance, thus treating the heart attack by addressing deeper systemic issues.
TCM Patterns for Heart Attack
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause heart attack
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Heart Attack
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address heart attack