1
Heart blood deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Palpitations with dizziness, pallor, restless sleep and poor memory, pale tongue and fine pulse
- Treatment principle
- Nourish blood and the heart to settle the spirit
Sleep & Moodxīn jì
Palpitations
Also called:racing heartheart flutter
From the TCM perspective: Palpitations (xīnjì): the heart-spirit unsettled
Overview
Palpitations are an awareness of rapid, forceful or irregular heartbeats. TCM sees the heart-spirit unsettled—by deficiency of qi, blood or yin failing to nourish the heart, or by phlegm-fire, stasis or fluid disturbing it; recurrence warrants cardiac evaluation.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Yin deficiency with fire
- Key distinguishing signs
- Palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, night sweats, hot palms and dry mouth, red tongue with little coat
- Treatment principle
- Nourish yin, downbear fire and settle the spirit
3
Phlegm-fire disturbing the heart
- Key distinguishing signs
- Palpitations with insomnia, irritability, vivid dreams, phlegm and bitter mouth, yellow greasy coat
- Treatment principle
- Clear phlegm-heat and calm the spirit
4
Heart blood stasis
- Key distinguishing signs
- Palpitations with fixed stabbing chest pain, dark tongue and choppy/irregular pulse
- Treatment principle
- Quicken blood and remove stasis
Daily self-care
- Reduce caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and stimulants; keep regular sleep.
- Use deep breathing and relaxation under stress, and stay hydrated.
- Record pulse rate, episode duration and triggers (coffee, stress, after meals).
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Palpitations with chest pain/pressure, breathlessness or fainting.
- Persistent very fast or very slow pulse with dizziness or cold sweat.
- Palpitations after injury or with known heart disease or uncontrolled thyroid disease.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.