Heart Failure in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different heart failure patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Heart failure, a complex clinical syndrome, occurs when the heart cannot pump blood sufficiently to meet the body's needs. It can involve either or both sides of the heart and is typically a result of underlying conditions that have damaged or overworked the heart muscle, such as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. Symptoms vary but commonly include breathlessness, persistent coughing, swelling in the limbs, and fatigue. Heart failure can be a chronic condition or a sudden, acute crisis, demanding prompt medical intervention to manage symptoms and improve patient outcomes.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives heart failure not just as a singular condition but as a symptom of broader systemic imbalances. TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying distinct patterns of disharmony that describe the specific nature of the imbalance in each patient.
This concept of patterns is fundamental, as it shapes the customized treatment strategies in TCM. Therapies are aimed at correcting the unique disharmonies affecting the individual, rather than merely treating the generalized symptoms of heart failure.
Herbal Formulas for Heart Failure
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address heart failure