Rheumatic Heart Disease
Pulmonary heart disease is a condition caused by disorders of the bronchi, lung tissue, thorax, or pulmonary vessels that increase pulmonary vascular resistance, resulting in pulmonary hypertension and subsequent structural and/or functional changes in the right ventricle, potentially leading to right heart failure. It is classified as acute or chronic according to the speed of onset and duration of the disease. This section focuses on chronic cor pulmonale. Chronic cor pulmonale is most often secondary to chronic bronchial or pulmonary disease, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and a distressed sensation in the chest; high fever; dry, sore throat, possibly with redness, swelling, and a burning sensation; chest tightness and shortness of breath; irritability and thirst, with a preference for cold drinks. The tongue is red-purple with a yellow coating; the pulse is floating and rapid or slippery and rapid.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or beating uneasily, sometimes with a sense of alarm or distress.
- You may develop a high fever and feel distinctly hot.
- Your throat may feel dry and sore, and may become red, swollen, and hot or burning.
- Your chest may feel tight or uncomfortable, and your breathing may become short, as if you cannot get enough air.
- You may feel irritable and thirsty, with a strong desire for cold drinks.
- Your tongue may look reddish-purple and darker than usual.
- Your tongue coating may be yellowish.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel superficial and rapid, or smooth and rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and resolve toxins; nourish the heart and calm the spirit.
In plain language:
- The approach aims to clear internal heat and dispel pathogenic toxins, with the goal of easing heat-related symptoms such as fever, thirst, sore throat, bitter taste, and dark yellow urine.
- The approach aims to nourish the spirit and calm the emotions, with the goal of easing palpitations, restlessness, and insomnia and supporting more restful sleep.
|Related Products
The products listed below are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and chest tightness, worse with activity; cough with sputum or a dry cough; shortness of breath and wheezing; fatigue and weakness, sometimes spontaneous sweating; insomnia and poor memory. The tongue is pale with a thin white coating; the pulse is weak.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or beating irregularly, with a fluttering sensation in your chest.
- Your chest may feel tight or uncomfortable, as if something is pressing on it when you breathe.
- These symptoms may become noticeably worse with activity or exertion.
- You may cough, sometimes bringing up phlegm, or have a dry cough that is difficult to clear.
- You may experience shortness of breath and wheezing, especially when talking or walking.
- You may feel tired and weak, quickly running out of energy when doing things.
- You may sometimes sweat spontaneously, even while at rest.
- You may have trouble falling asleep at night and be more forgetful during the day.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a thin, whitish coating.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel weak and lacking in strength.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify and benefit the heart and lungs.
In plain language:
- This approach aims to support heart and lung qi and improve oxygen supply, with the goal of easing shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, chest tightness, and breathlessness with activity.
- It aims to strengthen heart qi and promote the smooth flow of lung qi, with the goal of supporting easier breathing and stamina and easing excessive sweating, fatigue, dizziness, and palpitations.
|Related Products
The products listed below are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and uneasiness, worse in cold weather; chest tightness and shortness of breath; aversion to cold and cold extremities; soreness and coldness in the lower back and knees; swelling of the limbs; a pale, dull complexion; fatigue and weakness; difficulty urinating or copious, clear urine. The tongue is pale with a white coating; the pulse is thready and weak.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or beating uneasily, leaving you feeling unsettled.
- These symptoms may become noticeably worse in cold weather.
- Your chest may feel tight, and your breathing may be short, as if you cannot get enough air.
- You may be sensitive to cold, with cold hands and feet or limbs that feel cold to the touch.
- Your lower back and knees may feel sore and cold, with persistent discomfort.
- Your limbs or body may become swollen, making them look puffy and feel heavy.
- Your face may look pale and lack a healthy flush.
- You may feel fatigued and weak, quickly running out of energy and motivation.
- You may have difficulty passing urine, or pass large amounts of pale, clear urine.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a white coating.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel thready and weak, with little force.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify and benefit the heart and kidneys, warm yang, and promote urination.
In plain language:
- This approach aims to support heart and kidney qi and strengthen the heart’s calming and propelling functions, with the goal of easing shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, uneasiness, and soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees.
- It aims to warm yang, promote urination, and reduce swelling by supporting fluid metabolism, with the goal of easing body and leg swelling and difficulty urinating and improving chest tightness and heaviness.
|Related Products
The products listed below are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and a distressed sensation in the chest; chest tightness and shortness of breath, relieved by warmth and worsened by cold; aversion to cold and cold limbs; possibly localized, fixed stabbing pain; purple spots on the limbs; possibly coughing up thin, white sputum; epigastric fullness and abdominal distension; distended neck veins; bluish-purple nails; a dark-purple tongue or purple stasis spots; a thready or choppy pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or beating uneasily, sometimes with a sense of alarm or distress.
- Your chest may feel tight or uncomfortable, and your breathing may become short, as if you cannot get enough air.
- Warmth or keeping warm may make the symptoms feel noticeably better.
- Cold conditions may make all the discomfort noticeably worse.
- You may be sensitive to cold, with cold hands and feet or limbs that feel cold to the touch.
- You may experience localized, needle-like stabbing pain that remains in one place.
- Purplish spots or bruise-like marks may appear on the skin of your limbs.
- You may cough up thin, watery, whitish phlegm.
- You may feel fullness or distension in the upper abdomen, with discomfort around the stomach area.
- The veins in your neck may appear prominently swollen and distended.
- Your fingernails may look bluish-purple and less pink than usual.
- Your tongue may look dark purple, or have purple spots or patches.
- On pulse examination, the pulse may feel thready or choppy and uneven.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm yang and supplement qi; invigorate blood and promote urination.
In plain language:
- This approach aims to warm yang, support the body’s vital qi, and promote circulation and metabolism, with the goal of easing sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- It aims to promote blood circulation, reduce stagnation and swelling, and support fluid metabolism, with the goal of easing body and leg swelling and difficulty urinating, as well as chest tightness and heaviness.
|Related Products
The products listed below are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- China Association of Chinese Medicine. Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Conditions in TCM Internal Medicine [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008.
- Chinese Medical Association. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Respiratory Medicine [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2009.