Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation refers to atrial fibrillation lasting less than 48 hours that may terminate spontaneously. Although an episode may last up to 7 days, 48 hours is a key point with important clinical significance. After 48 hours, spontaneous termination becomes less likely, and anticoagulant therapy should be considered.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations, a sense of oppression in the chest, sharp stabbing pain in a fixed location that may radiate to the shoulder and back, with episodes that come and go; dark-red lips and nails; a dark tongue or petechiae and ecchymoses on the tongue; a choppy pulse or an intermittent pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel your heart pounding or racing uneasily, sometimes with a sense of alarm.
- Your chest may feel tight or constricted, and breathing may feel less comfortable.
- You may have sharp, needle-like pain in the chest.
- The pain tends to stay in one place rather than move around.
- The pain may radiate to the shoulder or back, causing discomfort there.
- The pain may flare up and ease repeatedly.
- Your lips and nails may look dark or reddish, rather than bright in color.
- Your tongue may look dark or have purple spots or patches.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel rough or uneven, with pauses or irregular beats.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Invigorate blood, dispel stasis, unblock the collaterals, and calm the Heart.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to promote blood circulation, disperse blood stasis, and unblock the channels and collaterals. It is intended to ease discomfort associated with obstruction, such as stabbing pain, numbness, and cold limbs.
- It also aims to calm the mind and settle the Heart, easing tension and alarm. This may help reduce palpitations, chest tightness, irritability, and sleep disturbance.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and dizziness, chest tightness and epigastric fullness, poor appetite and nausea, irritability and a bitter taste in the mouth, and insomnia. Red tongue with a yellow, greasy coating; slippery, rapid, or intermittent pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations and dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Your chest may feel tight or uncomfortable, with fullness or pressure in the upper abdomen.
- You may have a poor appetite, eat less, and feel nauseated or experience reflux.
- You may feel restless or irritable and have a bitter taste in your mouth.
- You may sleep poorly, have difficulty falling asleep, or wake easily.
- Your tongue may look redder than usual.
- The tongue coating may look yellow, thick, and greasy.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel smooth and fast, or have pauses and irregular beats.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Transform phlegm and reduce turbidity; nourish the Heart and calm the mind.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to transform phlegm and dampness and reduce internal turbidity, potentially easing chest tightness, excess phlegm, a heavy-headed feeling, and nausea or reflux.
- It also aims to nourish the mind and settle emotions, easing tension and alarm and helping reduce palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, and vivid dreams.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Chest tightness and shortness of breath, palpitations and fatigue that worsen with exertion, dizziness, a lusterless complexion, spontaneous sweating and night sweats; a pale-red or dark-red tongue with a white coating; thin or intermittent pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations and dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Your chest may feel tight or uncomfortable, with fullness or pressure in the upper abdomen.
- You may have a poor appetite, eat less, and feel nauseated or experience reflux.
- You may feel restless or irritable and have a bitter taste in your mouth.
- You may sleep poorly, have difficulty falling asleep, or wake easily.
- Your tongue may look redder than usual.
- The tongue coating may look yellow, thick, and greasy.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel smooth and fast, or have pauses and irregular beats.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Supplement Qi and nourish Yin; calm the Heart and quiet the mind.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to supplement Qi and nourish body fluids, with the intention of supporting energy and easing dry mouth and throat, tidal fever, and night sweats.
- It also aims to calm the mind and ease tension and alarm, helping reduce palpitations, insomnia, and vivid dreams and support steadier emotions and sleep.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations, restlessness and irritability affecting the palms, soles, and chest, insomnia and forgetfulness, dry throat and thirst, dizziness and tinnitus. Red tongue with scant coating; thin, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations and dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Your chest may feel tight or uncomfortable, with fullness or pressure in the upper abdomen.
- You may have a poor appetite, eat less, and feel nauseated or experience reflux.
- You may feel restless or irritable and have a bitter taste in your mouth.
- You may sleep poorly, have difficulty falling asleep, or wake easily.
- Your tongue may look redder than usual.
- The tongue coating may look yellow, thick, and greasy.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel smooth and fast, or have pauses and irregular beats.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the Heart and calm the mind; nourish Yin and clear heat.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to nourish the mind and settle emotions, easing tension and alarm and helping reduce palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, and vivid dreams.
- It also aims to nourish body fluids and clear internal heat, easing discomfort such as irritability, thirst, tidal fever, and night sweats.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and restlessness, being easily startled and fearful, inability to sit or lie comfortably, insomnia with frequent dreams and easy waking, sensitivity to sounds, poor appetite; thin white tongue coating; thin, rapid or thin, wiry pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations and a sense of unease.
- You may startle easily or feel fearful and tense.
- You may feel uncomfortable and unable to sit or lie still.
- You may have difficulty falling asleep, dream frequently, and wake easily with a start.
- You may dislike sounds, and even a moderately loud noise may feel uncomfortable.
- You may eat less and have little interest in food.
- Your tongue coating may be thin and white, with the tongue surface appearing pale.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel thin and rapid, or thin and taut.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Calm the mind and stabilize the will; nourish the Heart and calm the mind.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to settle the mind and stabilize the will, easing tension and alarm and helping reduce palpitations, restlessness, and excessive worry.
- It also aims to nourish the Heart and calm the mind, helping ease palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, absent-mindedness, and chest discomfort.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and shortness of breath, dizziness, insomnia and forgetfulness, a lusterless complexion, fatigue and weakness, poor appetite; pale-red tongue; thin, weak pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations and shortness of breath, as if you cannot get enough air.
- You may feel dizzy or lightheaded, as though things are moving or spinning.
- You may have difficulty falling asleep or wake easily, and may become more forgetful.
- Your face may look pale and lack its usual color or luster.
- You may feel tired and low in energy, with even light activity leaving you weak.
- Your appetite may decrease noticeably, and you may have little interest in food.
- Your tongue may look pale with a slight red tint and lack a healthy luster.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel thin and weak, with little strength.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the blood and the Heart; supplement Qi and calm the mind.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to nourish Heart blood, with the intention of easing a pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and fatigue.
- It also aims to supplement Qi and calm the mind, helping ease shortness of breath, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, and palpitations.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and unease, chest tightness and shortness of breath that worsen with activity, pale complexion, aversion to cold and cold limbs; pale tongue with a white coating; weak or deep, thin, feeble pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations and a sense of unease, as though your heartbeat is not steady.
- Your chest may feel tight, and you may be short of breath, as if you cannot get enough air.
- The symptoms above may become more noticeable with activity or exertion.
- Your face may look pale and lack its usual color or luster.
- You may feel cold, with hands and feet that are often cold and become colder in low temperatures.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a white coating.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel weak, deep, or thin, with little strength.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm and supplement Heart Yang; calm the mind and settle palpitations.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to warm and supplement Heart Yang. It is intended to ease sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, chest tightness, and fatigue.
- It also aims to calm the mind and ease tension and alarm, helping reduce palpitations and unease and support steadier emotions and sleep.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Palpitations and dizziness, chest tightness and fullness, thirst without desire to drink, reduced urine output, or swelling of the lower limbs; aversion to cold and cold limbs, with nausea, retching, and drooling; pale, swollen tongue with a white, slippery coating; wiry, slippery pulse or deep, thin, slippery pulse. Palpitations and dizziness, chest tightness and fullness, thirst without desire to drink, reduced urine output, or swelling of the lower limbs; aversion to cold and cold limbs, with nausea, retching, and drooling; pale, swollen tongue with a white, slippery coating; wiry, slippery pulse or deep, thin, slippery pulse.
In plain language:
- You may feel palpitations along with dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Your chest may feel tight or uncomfortable, with fullness or pressure in the upper abdomen.
- You may feel thirsty but not want to drink much water.
- You may pass only a small amount of urine, or have swelling in the lower limbs.
- You may feel cold, with cold hands and feet and a general sense of being chilled.
- You may feel nauseated or as though you are about to vomit.
- You may produce excess saliva or drool, leaving your mouth feeling wet.
- Your tongue may look pale and somewhat swollen, rather than red and healthy in color.
- Your tongue coating may look white and slippery, and the tongue surface may appear moist.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel wiry and slippery, or deep, thin, and slippery.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Invigorate Heart Yang, transform Qi and promote water metabolism, calm the Heart and quiet the mind.
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to invigorate Heart Yang, promote the movement of Qi, and support fluid metabolism. It is intended to ease cold sensitivity, cold hands and feet, swelling, reduced urination, chest tightness, and fatigue.
- It also aims to calm the mind and ease tension and alarm, helping reduce palpitations and restlessness and improve difficulty falling asleep and frequent dreams.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
References
- Lu Hang, Yu Xin, et al. Implications of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines for Anticoagulation Therapy in China[J]. The Journal of Practical Medicine, 2015, 06: 869-871.
- Jiang Chenyang, Wang Yunhe. Interpretation of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation[J]. Chinese Journal of Medicine, 2015, 10: 30-34.
- China Association of Chinese Medicine. Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Internal Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine: TCM Disease and Pattern Section[M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008: 39-42.
- Shen Shaogong, Wang Chengde, et al. Compendium of Treatment Methods for Heart Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine[M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2005: 95-97.