Heart Qi Deficiency
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Heart in Chinese Medicine The concept of Deficiency The concept of Qi
Key attributes
Chinese name: 心气虚 Pinyin name: Xīn Qì Xū
Pattern nature: Empty
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Qi Deficiency
Common combinations: Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Causes
Precursor patterns: Kidney Qi not Firm Spleen Qi Deficiency Spleen Yang Deficiency and five other possible precursors
Common causes: 1. Excessive emotions, 2. Blood loss
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Fatigue Pale face Palpitations Spontaneous sweating Shortness of breath on exertion
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue description: Pale or normal colour; midline crack to tip with swelling on each side in more severe cases
Treatment
Common formulas: Bao Yuan Tang Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Pathology
Heart Qi Deficiency includes general signs of Qi deficiency (such as shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, pale face and fatigue) with the addition of palpitations, which is the characteristic symptom of Heart Qi Deficiency.
"Palpitations" here indicates a subjective feeling of the patient being aware of their heart beating in an uncomfortable way. It has nothing to do with the actual rhythm or pace of the heart. The patient may describe their "palpitations" as their heart beating unusually rapidly but it might just be an impression. Vice versa, someone’s pulse may be actually beating more rapidly than usual but, if they are not aware of it, this symptom would not be defined as "palpitations".
Causes
Precursor patterns: Heart Qi Deficiency can derive from Kidney Qi not Firm Spleen Qi Deficiency Spleen Yang Deficiency Spleen Qi Sinking Gallbladder Deficiency Spleen Blood Deficiency Spleen not controlling Blood Kidney Qi Deficiency
Excessive emotions: Excessive or prolonged emotions, particularly sadness or grief, can cause Heart Qi Deficiency
Blood loss: Sudden blood loss (from a traumatic injury for instance) or chronic blood loss from a health condition such as menorrhagia. This is because Blood nourishes Qi: any severe or prolonged blood loss will cause a deficiency of Heart-Blood, which, in turn, will lead to deficiency of Heart-Qi.
Diagnosing Heart Qi Deficiency
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue description: Pale or normal colour; midline crack to tip with swelling on each side in more severe cases
Main symptoms: Fatigue Pale face Palpitations Spontaneous sweating Shortness of breath on exertion
Diagnosis commentary: In severe cases, the pulse could feel slightly Overflowing and Empty (i.e. it feels very superficial and somewhat pounding with a light pressure of the finger but empty with a heavier pressure). The key symptoms are the palpitations, the fatigue and the Empty pulse.
Treating Heart Qi Deficiency
Herbal formulas used to treat Heart Qi Deficiency
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Source date: 1549 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi. Calms the Mind. Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood. Tonifies the Kidney Yin.
Formula summary
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1549 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind.
Besides Heart Qi Deficiency, Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang is also used to treat Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized or Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Bao Yuan Tang
Formula summary
Bao Yuan Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1624, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi.
Besides Heart Qi Deficiency, Bao Yuan Tang is also used to treat Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency.
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Source date: 16th century
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Heart Qi . Calms the Mind and clear anxiety . Nourish the Heart Blood .
Formula summary
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 16th century, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind.
Besides Heart Qi Deficiency, Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan is also used to treat Heart Blood Deficiency.
Diet recommendations
In terms of diet, it is recommended to eat only cooked foods as well as warm or room temperature drinks. Whole grains, protein, legumes (especially aduki beans), lots of vegetables and congee are important. Make sure you eat three meals, or more as needed, per day. Do not skip meals. Avoid raw and cold foods and juices.
It is important to work on and resolve any emotional issues that might have caused Heart Qi Deficiency, especially sadness and grief.
Avoid excessive work and excessive sexual activity and get plenty of rest.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Heart Qi Deficiency can lead to Heart Yang Deficiency
Heart Qi Deficiency may lead to Lung Qi Deficiency, especially when there is emotional stress
When Heart Qi is Deficient, it is not able to circulate properly. Therefore, Qi stagnates as a result.