Rheumatic Heart Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different rheumatic heart disease patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Rheumatic heart disease is a serious cardiac condition that is a complication of rheumatic fever, often stemming from an inadequately treated infection with group A streptococcal bacteria. The disease is characterized by damage to the heart valves and heart muscle, leading to complications such as valve stenosis and heart failure. Its progression and impact on the cardiac function can vary greatly, with some individuals experiencing severe symptoms, while others may be asymptomatic for years.
From the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, rheumatic heart disease is seen as a condition where internal imbalances and disharmonies lead to heart disturbances. TCM does not directly correlate symptoms with the streptococcal infection; instead, it looks at how disharmonies affect Qi, the vital energy, and Blood, disrupting heart functions.
Identifying the specific pattern of disharmony is essential in TCM, as this diagnosis informs the personalized treatment plan aimed at rebalancing the body's energies and restoring heart health.
TCM Patterns for Rheumatic Heart Disease
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause rheumatic heart disease
Wind-Damp
Diagnostic signs
Floating (Fu)
Recommended herbal formulas
Stomach Blood Stagnation
Diagnostic signs
Wiry (Xian)
Purple
Recommended herbal formulas
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
Diagnostic signs
Knotted (Jie), Wiry (Xian)
Purple on the side of the entire tongue
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Rheumatic Heart Disease
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address rheumatic heart disease