What is Arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia Treatment focuses on managing abnormal heart rhythms through both modern and holistic approaches. Arrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm, where in a normal resting state the heart rate is typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute. When the heartbeat becomes too fast, too slow, irregular, or pauses intermittently, it is considered an arrhythmia. Various external factors can influence heart rhythm, such as exercise, sleep, emotional stress, excitement, and medication side effects. Additionally, underlying heart conditions—such as coronary artery disease, congenital or rheumatic heart disease, valvular heart disease, or meningitis—may also lead to irregular heart rhythms, making proper Arrhythmia Treatment essential.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Arrhythmia Treatment is approached by identifying imbalances in qi, blood, and organ function. Practitioners use pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and herbal medicine to naturally regulate heart rhythm, improve circulation, and restore overall balance.
Symptoms and Pulse Diagnosis
Arrhythmia is often accompanied by palpitations, chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Pulse diagnosis is essential in TCM.
- Knotted Pulse (Jie Mai): Irregular, intermittent pulse with short pauses that quickly resume.
- Intermittent Pulse (Dai Mai): Regular pauses that are longer and cannot resume without the next beat replacing it.
Ancient texts suggest that if the pulse pauses after more than 56 beats, it may be normal. However, if the pulse is below 56 beats with irregular pauses, it is considered pathological. These conditions are often associated with chest obstruction due to yang deficiency, insufficient heart blood, and cold stagnation.
TCM Treatment Perspective
According to classical texts, symptoms like palpitations, weakness, pale tongue, and frailty indicate deficiency syndromes. In such cases, restoring proper heart rhythm is the priority. TCM emphasizes that while arrhythmia can often be managed, severe intermittent pulse conditions require careful attention. Patients are advised to consult experienced TCM practitioners rather than relying solely on medication.