TCM Patterns and Symptoms: Heart Health

Characterized by palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, paleness, tiredness, slight depression, and spontaneous sweating. The pulse is empty and the tongue is pale.

Characterized by palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, tiredness, slight depression, spontaneous sweating, a feeling of discomfort in the heart region, feeling cold, cold hands, a pale face, and slightly dark lips. The pulse is deep-weak and sometimes knotted, and the tongue is pale.

Characterized by palpitations, shortness of breath, weak and shallow breathing, profuse sweating, cold limbs, cyanosis of the lips, greyish-white complexion, and potentially coma in severe cases. The pulse is hidden, minute, and the tongue is very pale or bluish-purple.

Characterized by palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to be startled, dull pale complexion, and pale lips. The pulse is choppy or fine, and the tongue is pale and thin.

Characterized by palpitations, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, depression, anxiety, tiredness, dull pale complexion, insomnia, and pale lips. The pulse is weak or choppy, and the tongue is pale and thin.

Characterized by palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to be startled, dry mouth and throat in the afternoon or evening, normal tongue color without coating or rootless coating, and a floating-empty pulse, especially on the left front position.

Characterized by palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to be startled, mental restlessness, uneasiness, feeling hot and bothered, dry mouth and throat in the evening, thirst with desire to drink in small sips, feeling of heat in the evening, malar flush, night sweating, and five palm heat. The tongue is red, redder on the tip without coating, and the pulse is floating-empty and rapid, especially on the left front position.

Characterized by palpitations, anxiety, propensity to be easily startled, slight breathlessness, tiredness, insomnia, mental restlessness, sweating on exertion, dry throat, and night sweating. The tongue is normal-coloured, without coating, and the pulse is floating-empty.

Characterized by palpitations, propensity to be easily startled, shortness of breath, slight feeling of oppression of the chest, feeling cold, cold limbs, mental restlessness, night sweating, poor memory, and malar flush. The tongue is pale or red without coating, and the pulse is weak or floating-empty.

Characterized by palpitations, feeling of oppression of the chest, sputum in the throat, dizziness, tiredness, cold hands, numbness of the limbs, oedema of the hands, fuzziness of the head, poor memory, and feeling of heaviness. The tongue is pale, wet, and swollen, and the pulse is weak but slightly slippery.

Characterized by palpitations, feeling of distension or oppression of the chest, depression, slight feeling of lump in the throat, slight shortness of breath, sighing, poor appetite, chest and upper epigastric distension, dislike of lying down, weak and cold limbs, slightly purple lips, and pale complexion. The tongue is slightly pale purple on the sides in the chest area, and the pulse is empty but very slightly overflowing on the left front position.

Characterized by palpitations, thirst, mouth and tongue ulcers, mental restlessness, feeling agitated, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, feeling of heat, red face, dark urine or blood in the urine, and a bitter taste after a bad night's sleep. The tongue is red with redder tip and yellow coating, and the pulse is overflowing and rapid, especially on the left front position.

Characterized by palpitations, mental restlessness, thirst, red face, feeling of oppression of the chest, dark urine, expectorations of phlegm, rattling sound in the throat, bitter taste, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, agitation, mental confusion, incoherent speech, rash behavior, tendency to hit or scold people, uncontrolled laughter or crying, shouting, muttering to oneself, and depression. The tongue is red with redder and swollen tip and a sticky yellow coating, and the pulse is slippery rapid or slippery overflowing rapid. In severe cases, there will be a deep heart crack with sticky dry yellow coating inside.

Characterized by mental confusion, lethargic stupor, unconsciousness, incoherent speech, vomiting of phlegm, rattling sound in the throat, aphasia, mental depression, emotional lability, and very dull eyes. The tongue is swollen with a sticky coating, and the pulse is slippery.

Characterized by palpitations, stabbing or pricking chest pain which may radiate to the inner aspect of the left arm or to the shoulder, a feeling of oppression or constriction of the chest, cyanosis of lips and nails, cold hands, purple tongue, and a choppy, wiry or knotted pulse. The pulse will be knotted if heart blood stasis occurs against a background of severe heart yang deficiency.

Characterized by palpitations, shortness of breath with inability to lie down, depression, mental restlessness, feeling of stuffiness under the hypochondrium, flustered feeling, feeling of oppression of the chest, stabbing or pricking pain in the heart region which comes and goes and may radiate to the upper back or shoulder, pain aggravated by exposure to cold and alleviated by heat, expectoration of phlegm, epigastric or hypochondriac distension, feeling of heaviness, dislike to speak, cold hands, sighing, purple lips, and a purple face and nails. The tongue is purple on the sides in the chest area, swollen with a sticky coating, and the pulse is wiry, choppy or knotted. It could also be slippery if phlegm is predominant. This is a complex pattern due to qi stagnation, blood stasis, cold and phlegm occurring simultaneously.

Characterized by palpitations, dizziness, nausea, vomiting of white watery frothy fluid, feeling cold, cold limbs, severe shortness of breath, and feeling of fullness and stuffiness of the chest and epigastrium. The tongue is pale, swollen and wet and the pulse is deep wiry or deep fine and slippery.

Characterized by palpitations, cold hands, scanty urination, oedema of the ankles, sleepiness, mental confusion, sallow complexion, dizziness, frontal headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, feeling of oppression of the chest, poor appetite, abdominal fullness, loose stools, and excessive salivation. The tongue is pale, swollen with white sticky coating, and the pulse is soggy or deep-slippery.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, and loose stools. This pattern can also contribute to obesity. The tongue is pale and the pulse is empty.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, tendency to obesity, feeling cold, cold limbs, and edema. The tongue is pale and wet, the pulse is deep weak, and Moxibustion is recommended.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, dull pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, depression, thin body, scanty periods/amenorrhoea, and insomnia. The tongue is pale and thin, the pulse is choppy or fine, and Moxibustion can be helpful.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, tendency to obesity, a bearing down sensation in the abdomen, prolapse of stomach, uterus, anus, or bladder, frequency and urgency of urination. The tongue is pale, the pulse is weak, and Moxibustion can be helpful.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, depression, tendency to obesity, blood spots under the skin, blood in the urine or stool, and excessive menstrual bleeding. The tongue is pale, the pulse in weak or fine, and Moxibustion can be helpful.

Characterized by poor appetite, poor digestion, retching, gnawing hunger, loss of taste, slight epigastric pain, dry mouth, dry lips, dry stool, thin body, night-sweating, and a sallow complexion. The tongue is without coating and shows transversal cracks on the sides, the pulse is weak or floating empty.

Characterized by poor appetite, poor digestion, retching, gnawing hunger, loss of taste, slight epigastric pain, dry mouth, dry lips, dry stools, thin body, night-sweating, sallow complexion, malar flush, feeling of heat in the evening, and night sweating. The tongue is red without coating and shows transversal cracks on the sides. The pulse is floating empty and rapid.

Characterized by poor appetite, feeling of fullness of the epigastrium and/or abdomen, feeling of cold in the epigastrium, feeling of heaviness of the head and body, sweetish taste, no thirst, loose stools, tiredness, nausea, oedema, dull white complexion, and excessive white vaginal discharge. The tongue is pale with a sticky white coating, and the pulse is slipper slow.

Characterized by feeling of fullness of the epigastrium and/or lower abdomen, epigastric and/or abdominal pain, poor appetite, feeling of heaviness, thirst without desire to drink, nausea, vomiting, loose stools with offensive odor, burning sensation in the anus, feeling of heat, scanty dark urine, low-grade fever, dull headache with feeling of heaviness of the head, dull yellow complexion, yellow sclera of the eyes, oily sweat, bitter taste, itchy skin or skin eruptions, sweating which does not relieve the fever and does not lead to the clearing of heat. The tongue is red with a sticky yellow coating, and the pulse is slippery rapid.

Characterized by burning epigastric and/or abdominal pain, excessive hunger, red tip of the nose, dry lips, mouth ulcers, thirst, dry stools, feeling of heat, scanty dark urine, and a yellow complexion. The tongue is red with a dry yellow coating, and the pulse is overflowing rapid.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude, pale or sallow complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stool, slight depression, tendency to obesity, abdominal fullness, feeling of heaviness, sticky taste, poor digestion, undigested food in the stools, nausea, dull frontal headache, and excessive vaginal discharge. The tongue is pale with sticky coating, and the pulse is soggy and slippery.

Characterized by nausea, vomiting of watery fluids, feeling of oppression of the chest and epigastrium, tiredness, poor appetite, feeling of heaviness, weak limbs, loose stools, dull pale complexion, and cold limbs. The tongue is pale, swollen with sticky coating, and the pulse is soggy or weak and slightly slippery.

Characterized by feeling of oppression of the chest and epigastrium, poor appetite, sour regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, gnawing hunger, dizziness, feeling of heaviness, and loose stools. The tongue is swollen with a thick-sticky coating in the center, and the pulse is slippery on the right middle position.

Characterized by tiredness, feeling of heat in the face, feeling cold in general, alternating feeling of heat and cold, dry mouth, dry lips, thirst, feeling as if down with a cold, mouth ulcers, insomnia, poor appetite, loose stools, and weak limbs. The tongue is pale, and the pulse is empty or slightly overflowing but empty.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, and uncomfortable feeling in the epigastrium. The tongue is pale, and the pulse is empty, especially on the right middle position. Moxibustion is recommended.

Characterized by palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to be startled, dull pale complexion, pale lips, tiredness, weak muscles, loose stools, poor appetite, and scanty periods. The tongue is pale and thin, the pulse is choppy or fine.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude, pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, slight depression, tendency to obesity, slight shortness of the breath, slight cough, weak voice, spontaneous daytime sweating, dislike to speak, propensity to catching colds, and dislike of cold. The tongue is pale, and the pulse is empty, especially on the right side.

Characterized by poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude, dull pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, thin body, scanty periods or amenorrhoea, insomnia, dizziness, numbness of the limbs, blurred vision, floaters in the eyes, diminished night vision, pale lips, muscular weakness, cramps, withered and brittle nails, dry hair and skin, slight depression, and feeling aimless. The tongue is pale body, especially on the sides, which in extreme cases can assume an orange color and dry, and the pulse is choppy fine.

Characterized by feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium, nausea, no appetite, loose stools, feeling of heaviness, dry mouth without desire to drink, sallow complexion, hypochondrial pain, bitter taste, sticky paste, epigastric and hypochondrial distension, and irritability. The tongue is thick sticky yellow, and the pulse is slippery wiry.

Characterized by hypochondrial or epigastric distension, a slight feeling of oppression of the chest, irritability, melancholy, depression, moodiness, premenstrual tension, irregular periods, and premenstrual breast distension. The tongue body color may not change in light cases, in severe cases the sides will be red, and the pulse is wiry, especially on the left side.

Characterized by hypochondrial or epigastric distension, a slight feeling of oppression of the chest, irritability, melancholy, depression, moodiness, premenstrual tension, irregular periods, premenstrual breast distension, feeling of a lump in the throat, feeling of heat, red face, thirst, propensity to outburst of anger, and heavy periods. The tongue is red on the sides, and the pulse is wiry, especially on the left side and slightly rapid.

Characterized by hypochondrial or epigastric distension, hiccup, sighing, nausea, vomiting, belching, churning feeling in the stomach, and irritability. The tongue may not change color in light cases; in severe cases the sides will be red, and the pulse is wiry, it may be particularly wiry on the liver and stomach positions.

Characterized by headache, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, blurred vision, dry mouth and throat, insomnia, irritability, feeling worked up, propensity to outbursts of anger, and stiff neck. The tongue body color may vary depending on the underlying condition, and the pulse is wiry.

Characterized by hypochondrial pain, abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, epistaxis, painful periods, irregular periods, menstrual blood dark and clotted, infertility, masses in the abdomen, purple nails, purple lips, purple or dark complexion, dry skin, and purple petechiae. The tongue is purple, especially or only, on the sides, and the pulse is wiry, firm, or choppy.

Characterized by irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, tinnitus and/or deafness (with sudden onset), temporal headache, dizziness, red face and eyes, thirst, bitter taste, dream disturbed sleep, constipation with dry stools, dark yellow urine, epistaxis, haematemesis, and haemoptysis. The tongue is red with redder sides and dry yellow coating, and the pulse is wiry rapid.

Characterized by fullness of the hypochondrium, abdomen or hypogastrium, bitter taste, sticky mouth sensation, poor appetite, nausea, feeling of heaviness of the body, yellow vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, vulvar eczema or sores, midcycle bleeding and/or pain, pain, redness and swelling of the scrotum, genital, papular, or vesicular skin rashes and itching, urinary difficulty, burning on urination, and dark urine. The tongue is red body with redder sides and a sticky yellow coating, and the pulse is slippery wiry rapid.

Characterized by fullness of the hypochondrium, abdomen or hypogastrium, bitter taste, poor appetite, nausea, feeling of heaviness of the body, yellow vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, vulvar eczema or sores, midcycle bleeding and/or pain, pain, redness and swelling of the scrotum, genital, papular, or vesicular skin rashes and itching, urinary difficulty, burning on urination, dark urine, hypochondrial pain, fever, yellow complexion and eyes, and vomiting. The tongue is red body with redder sides and a sticky yellow coating, and the pulse is slippery wiry rapid.

Characterized by high temperature, convulsions, rigidity of the neck, tremor of limbs, opisthotonos, and coma in severe cases. The tongue is deep red, stiff, and dry with a yellow coating, and the pulse is wiry rapid.

Characterized by tremor, facial tic, severe dizziness, tinnitus, headache, hypertension, dry throat, dry eyes, blurred vision, numbness or tingling of limbs, and poor memory. The tongue is normal colored without coating, and the pulse is wiry fine.

Characterized by tremor, facial tic, severe dizziness, tinnitus, headache, hypertension, dry throat, dry eyes, blurred vision, numbness or tingling of limbs, poor memory, backache, scanty urination, and night sweating. The tongue is normal colored with coating, and the pulse is wiry fine.

Characterized by tremor, dizziness, tinnitus, headache, hypertension, dry throat, blurred vision, numbness or tingling of limbs, poor memory, insomnia, and scanty periods. The tongue is pale and thin, and the pulse is wiry fine.

Characterized by tremor, irritability, propensity to outbursts of anger, tinnitus and/or deafness (with sudden onset), temporal headache, dizziness, red face and eyes, thirst, bitter taste, dream disturbed sleep, constipation with dry stools, dark yellow urine, epistaxis, haematemesis, and haemoptysis. The tongue is red with redder sides and dry yellow coating, and the pulse is wiry rapid.

Characterized by fine tremor, facial tic, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness or tingling of limbs, poor memory, insomnia, and scanty periods. The tongue is pale and thin, and the pulse is wiry fine.

Characterized by headache, dizziness, blurred vision, feeling of heaviness and muzziness of the head, occipital stiffness, tinnitus, nausea, cough with profuse sputum, insomnia, and dream disturbed sleep. The tongue is stiff, swollen with a sticky coating, and the pulse is wiry slippery.

Characterized by mental depression, irritability, moodiness, feeling of oppression of the chest, feeling of a lump in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, sighing, cough with expectoration of phlegm, hypochondrial distension, premenstrual breast distension, swelling and pain. The tongue is swollen with a sticky coating, and the pulse is wiry slippery.

Characterized by mental depression, dizziness, blurred vision, tingling of limbs, brittle nails, sputum in the throat, feeling of oppression of the chest, feeling of muzziness of the head, irregular periods, and late periods. The tongue is pale with a sticky coating, and the pulse is choppy on the left, slipper on the right.

Characterized by fullness and distension of the hypogastrium with pain, the pain alleviated by warmth, straining of the testis or contraction of the scrotum, vertical headache, feeling of cold, cold hands and feet, vomiting of clear watery fluid or dry vomiting, and in women, shrinking of the vagina. The tongue is pale and wet with a white coating, and the pulse is deep, wiry, slow.

Characterized by dizziness, numbness or tingling of the limbs, insomnia, blurred vision, floaters in the eyes, diminished night vision, scanty menstruation or amenorrhoea, dull pale complexion without… The tongue is pale body, especially on the sides, which in extreme cases can assume an orange color, and dry, and the pulse is choppy or fine.