Sinus Bradycardia
Sinus bradycardia is a sinus rhythm with a heart rate below 60 beats per minute. It is common in young people, athletes, and during sleep, and may result from increased vagal tone; in these settings, it is physiological. It may also occur in 10%–15% of patients with acute myocardial infarction, primarily in the early stage of an inferior myocardial infarction, and is often temporary.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Palpitations, chest tightness and a feeling of breathlessness, intermittent chest pain, a dull complexion and bluish lips, darkened nails, and rough, scaly skin. The tongue is purplish-dark or has ecchymotic spots; the pulse is slow and choppy, or intermittently irregular.
In Plain Language:
- You may feel your heart racing or beating irregularly, leaving you feeling unsettled.
- Your chest may feel tight, with a noticeable sensation of breathlessness.
- You may experience intermittent pain in the chest.
- Your complexion may look dull, and your lips may appear bluish rather than rosy.
- Your nails may look dark and lack luster.
- Your skin may feel dry and rough, with a scaly texture.
- Your tongue may look purplish-dark or have purple spots or patches.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel slow and choppy, or have intermittent pauses.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Promote blood circulation and remove stasis; regulate qi and open the channels.
In Plain Language:
- In TCM, promoting circulation, resolving blood stasis, and regulating qi are intended to ease discomfort associated with stasis and qi stagnation, such as fixed, stabbing pain, distension in the chest and flanks, and numbness or coldness in the limbs.
- Regulating qi and blood and promoting flow through the channels and vessels are intended to ease feelings of distension or blockage and gradually relieve pain and stiffness, supporting easier movement.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for information 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 shortness of breath, fullness and oppression in the chest and epigastrium, poor appetite, nausea or retching, expectoration of phlegm, sometimes accompanied by restless palpitations and a heavy feeling in the head and body. The tongue is pale with a white, greasy coating; the pulse is slow and slippery.
In Plain Language:
- You may feel palpitations along with shortness of breath, as if you cannot get enough air.
- Your chest and upper abdomen may feel tight and full, as though something is pressing and preventing you from relaxing.
- You may have a poor appetite, little interest in food, and eat noticeably less.
- You may feel nauseated or as if you are about to vomit.
- Phlegm may rise into your mouth and be repeatedly spit out, often feeling copious, sticky, or slippery.
- You may also experience restless palpitations, inner tension, and difficulty feeling calm.
- Your head and body may feel heavy and sluggish, making movement feel more difficult.
- Your tongue may look pale, with less of a healthy red color.
- Your tongue coating may look white and greasy, appearing moist and thick.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel slow and smooth, with relatively weak force.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Regulate qi and transform phlegm; clear the Gallbladder and harmonize the Stomach.
In Plain Language:
- In TCM, regulating qi and transforming phlegm-dampness are intended to gradually ease discomfort such as distension in the chest and flanks, fullness in the chest and epigastrium, copious phlegm, and a heavy feeling in the head.
- Clearing the Gallbladder and harmonizing Stomach qi are intended to ease bitter taste in the mouth, distension in the flanks, nausea, reflux, belching, and poor appetite, helping the epigastrium feel more comfortable.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for information 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:
Chest tightness, palpitations, a pale complexion, aversion to cold and cold extremities, shortness of breath and fatigue, tiredness and reluctance to speak, and, in severe cases, fainting. The tongue is pale with a white coating; the pulse is slow and faint, sometimes intermittently irregular.
In Plain Language:
- Your chest may feel tight, and breathing may feel uncomfortable or restricted.
- You may feel palpitations or an unsettled heartbeat, as if your chest were trembling.
- Your complexion may look very pale and lack a healthy, rosy color.
- You may feel cold, with frequently cold hands and feet; this may be more noticeable in cold conditions.
- Your breathing may become short, and you may feel low on energy and generally weak.
- You may tire easily, feel low in energy, and have little inclination to speak.
- In severe cases, you may suddenly faint and briefly lose consciousness.
- Your tongue may look pale, with a white coating.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel slow and weak, with noticeably reduced force.
- The pulse may sometimes have intermittent pauses or feel irregular and intermittent.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify qi, warm yang, and open the channels.
In Plain Language:
- In TCM, supplementing qi and warming yang are intended to support the body’s driving force and gradually ease discomfort such as aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Opening the channels and promoting the movement of qi and blood are intended to improve flow and gradually ease stasis-related discomfort such as numbness, stabbing pain, aching or distension, stiffness, and limited movement.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for information 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:
Chest tightness and shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness and blurred vision, insomnia and fatigue, dry mouth with a desire to drink, night sweats and restlessness with a sensation of heat, and, in severe cases, fainting. The tongue is red with little coating; the pulse is slow, fine, and weak, with occasional faster beats.
In Plain Language:
- Your chest may feel tight, and your breathing may become short, as if you cannot get enough air.
- You may feel palpitations or an unsettled heartbeat, sometimes as if you have been startled.
- You may feel dizzy or have blurred vision, with a sensation that things are moving or spinning.
- You may have difficulty falling asleep and feel tired or low in energy during the day.
- Your mouth may feel dry, and you may want to drink more, often preferring warm water.
- You may sweat at night and feel restless and overheated.
- In severe cases, you may suddenly faint and briefly lose consciousness.
- Your tongue may look red, with little or no coating.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel slow, fine, and weak, with little force.
- Occasionally, the pulse may become slightly faster, but not for long.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify qi, nourish yin, and open the channels.
In Plain Language:
- In TCM, supplementing qi and nourishing fluids are intended to support energy and gradually ease discomfort such as dry mouth and throat, hot flashes, night sweats, and feeling irritable or overheated.
- Opening the channels and coordinating the movement of qi and blood are intended to improve flow and gradually ease discomfort such as numbness, stabbing pain, tightness, aching or distension, and limited movement.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for information 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:
Restless palpitations, chest tightness and discomfort, shortness of breath and fatigue, intermittent chest pain, a dull complexion, sometimes bluish-purple lips and nails, and rough, scaly skin. The tongue is purplish-dark with ecchymotic spots; the pulse is slow and choppy, or intermittently irregular.
In Plain Language:
- You may feel unsettled by palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.
- Your chest may feel tight and uncomfortable, with restricted breathing and a sensation of pressure.
- You may become short of breath and tire easily, quickly feeling low on energy.
- You may experience intermittent chest pain.
- Your complexion may look dull and lack a healthy color.
- Your lips and nails may sometimes look bluish or purplish.
- Your skin may feel dry and rough, with fine scaling.
- Your tongue may look purplish and dark, with purple spots.
- On palpation, the pulse may feel slow and choppy or have intermittent, irregular pauses.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify qi, promote blood circulation, and open the channels.
In Plain Language:
- In TCM, supplementing qi and supporting its movement are intended to gradually ease discomfort such as shortness of breath, fatigue, reluctance to speak, and a dull complexion.
- Promoting circulation and opening the channels and vessels are intended to gradually ease stasis-related discomfort such as stabbing pain, numbness, aching or distension, stiffness, and coldness in the limbs.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for information 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
- Chen Haozhu, Lin Guowei, Wang Jieyao. Practical Internal Medicine (14th ed.) [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2015: 1363–1365.
- Lu Zaiying, Zhong Nanshan. Internal Medicine (7th ed.) [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2013: 188.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China [M]. China Medical Science Press, 2015, (1): 438–1633.