Heart Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different heart pain patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Heart pain, often described as a discomfort or sharp ache experienced in the chest, can signal various underlying health issues, from cardiovascular problems to digestive disturbances. Medically, heart pain encompasses a range of symptoms and may be referred to as cardiac pain. It's crucial to differentiate between heart pain caused by cardiac issues such as angina or myocardial infarction and pain related to other bodily systems, which may manifest similarly.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on heart pain, viewing it as a manifestation of imbalance within the body's energetic system. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on the anatomical and physiological origins of symptoms, TCM examines heart pain through the lens of energy flow, or Qi, and the balance of the body's fundamental substances. Recognizing the correct disharmony pattern, such as Qi Stagnation or Blood Stasis, is essential in TCM, as it guides the therapeutic approach and herbal treatment.
TCM Patterns for Heart Pain
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause heart pain
Heart Vessel obstructed
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Swollen tongue with a sticky coating.
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Heart Pain
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address heart pain