Module 6: Palpitations

Question 1

Biomed reasons for palpiations

Answer 1

an increase in heart rate, an increase in contractility of the heart,
or irregular heartbeats

Question 2

Two kinds of palpiations

Answer 2

Fright palpitations: Jing Ji
Continuous palpitations: Zheng Chong

Question 3

Refers to palpitations that occur when there is a fright. It is usually due to an external
cause. These tend to come and go quickly and don’t cause any other signs and symptoms.
Often patients don’t complain of these or seek treatment for them.

Answer 3

Fright palpitations: Jing Ji

Question 4

Refers to severe throbbing of the heart, which is often felt from the heart down to the
umbilicus. This can be a further development of fright palpitations and is usually caused from
internal causes. This is induced or aggravated by the same causes, including exertion or
emotional disturbance. Prolonged duration of this condition is severe and requires medical
attention.

Answer 4

Continuous palpitations: Zheng Chong

Question 5

Palpitations are directly related to the function of

Answer 5

the Heart zang organ.

Question 6

Continuous palpitations are viewed as resulting from

Answer 6

damage to the heart organ, rather
than simply a functional pathology.

Question 7

Chronic palpitations are caused by

Answer 7

certain pathogenic factors including blood stasis and phlegm or
when the heart is failing to be supplied by qi, blood, yin or yang

Question 8

Pathology of Palpitations

Answer 8

Water Blood
Phlegm Qi
Blood Stasis attacks the HT Heart fails to nourish Yin or Yang

Question 9

palpitations with paroxysmal pain, pain may be stabbing or colicky in nature, radiating
to the left arm:

Answer 9

Blood Stasis

Question 10

palpitations come and go, induced by anxiety or fright, dizziness and vertigo:

Answer 10

Phlegm
disturbing the Heart

Question 11

palpitations with sudden onset, induced by fright or panic attack:

Answer 11

emotion (fright)
disturbing the Heart

Question 12

palpitations with stifling sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, edema in the
lower extremities or face:

Answer 12

water attacking the Heart

Question 13

palpitations with irritability or fright, insomnia, dizziness, poor memory, blurred
vision, pale face:

Answer 13

Heart blood/yin deficiency

Question 14

palpitations with shortness of breath, palpitations induced or aggravated by physical
or mental activity:

Answer 14

Heart qi/yang deficiency

Question 15

Palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, poor memory, anxiety, propensity to
be startled, dull-pale complexion, pale lips.
Tongue: Pale and Thin
Pulse: Choppy or Fine

Answer 15

Heart Blood Xu

Question 16

A feeling of stuffiness and discomfort of the chest, dull ache in the chest, very slight shortness
of breath, palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory,
propensity to be startled, dull-pale complexion, pale lips, cold hands.
Tongue: Pale, Thin, slightly dry
Pulse: Choppy or Fine but very slightly hard on the left Front position

Answer 16

Pericardium Blood Xu

Question 17

Palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, propensity to be startled, poor memory, anxiety,
mental restlessness, ‘uneasiness’, ‘fidgetiness’, dry mouth and throat, night sweating.
Tongue: without coating
Pulse: Floating-Empty

Answer 17

Heart Yin Xu

Question 18

Palpitations, shortness of breath on exertion, tiredness, spontaneous sweating, a slight feeling
of stuffiness or discomfort in the heart region, feeling of cold, cold hands, bright-pale face,
slightly dark lips,
Tongue: Pale, puffy, wet
Pulse: Deep-Weak

Answer 18

Heart Yang Xu

Question 19

Palpitations, shortness of breath, weak and shallow breathing, profuse sweating, cold limbs,
cyanosis of lips, greyish-white complexion, in severe cases coma.
Tongue: Very Pale or Bluish
Pulse: Hidden-Minute-Knotted

Answer 19

Heart Yang Collapse

Question 20

Palpitations, a feeling of tightness and heat of the chest, slight chest ache, rapid breathing,
Thirst, mouth and tongue ulcers, mental restlessness, feeling of agitation, feeling of heat,
insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, red face, bitter taste (after a bad night’s sleep).
Tongue: Red, tip redder and swollen with red points, yellow coating
Pulse: Full-Rapid-Overflowing especially on the left Front position

Answer 20

Pericardium Fire

Question 21

Palpitations, feeling of oppression and heat of the chest, chest pain, rapid breathing, thirst, red
face, bitter taste, expectoration of phlegm, rattling sound in the throat, mental restlessness.
insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, agitation, incoherent speech, mental confusion, rash
behaviour, tendency to hit or scold people, uncontrolled laughter or crying, shouting, muttering
to oneself, mental depression and dullness, manic behaviour.
Tongue: Red, Swollen with yellow, dry sticky coating, deep Heart crack. The tip may be redder
and swollen with red points
Pulse: Full-Rapid-Slippery or Rapid-Overflowing-Slippery or Rapid-Full-Wiry

Answer 21

Pericardium Phlegm Fire

Question 22

Palpitations, thirst, mouth and tongue ulcers, mental restlessness, feeling agitated, feeling of
heat, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, red face, dark urine or blood in urine, bitter taste.
Tongue: Red tongue, tip redder and swollen with red points, yellow coating.
Pulse: Full-Rapid-Overflowing pulse

Answer 22

Heart Fire Blazing

Question 23

Palpitations, thirst, red face, bitter taste, a feeling of oppression of the chest, expectoration
of phlegm, rattling sound in the throat, bitter taste, mental restlessness, insomnia. Dream
disturbed sleep, agitation, incoherent speech, mental confusion, rash behaviour, tendency to
hit or scold people, uncontrolled laughter or crying, shouting, muttering to oneself, mental
depression and dullness, manic behaviour.
Tongue: Red, redder and swollen tip with red points, yellow dry sticky coating, deep Heart
crack
Pulse: Full-Rapid-Slippery or Rapid-Overflowing-Slippery or Rapid-Full-Wiry pulse

Answer 23

Phlegm Fire Harassing the Heart

Question 24

Water Blood
Phlegm Qi
Blood Stasis  attacks the HT  Heart  fails to nourish  Yin or Yang

Causes?

Answer 24

Spirit Disturbance leading to
Palpitations