Common Causes of Heart-Related Pain
Heart-related pain is most often associated with coronary artery disease, in which angina (chest pain) and myocardial infarction (heart attack) are common and serious clinical symptoms.How to Differentiate Between Angina and Myocardial Infarction
The main criteria for assessment are duration and symptoms. Angina pain is typically located near the heart, behind the breastbone, or below the xiphoid process (lower part of the sternum) and often radiates to areas like the neck, jaw, shoulders, inner side of the left arm, back, and sometimes even to the fingers. The area of pain is usually about the size of a clenched fist.
Typical symptoms of angina and myocardial infarction include squeezing pain, burning pain, a heavy or pressing sensation, and a feeling of suffocation. Notably, some myocardial infarction patients may also experience intense fear or a sense of impending doom.
Pain from angina typically lasts only a few minutes and rarely exceeds 15 minutes. It can be triggered by exertion, stress, or intense physical activity, which can lead to myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart) and subsequent pain. Rest or sublingual nitroglycerin can usually relieve angina symptoms.
The triggers for myocardial infarction are similar to those of angina. However, myocardial infarction pain usually persists for more than 30 minutes, and the methods that relieve angina symptoms are ineffective for myocardial infarction (MI).
For example, nitroglycerin is commonly used for relieving angina by dilating blood vessels and reducing the heart’s workload. However, it is not sufficient in treating an MI, where the heart muscle is already suffering from severe oxygen deprivation due to blocked arteries. Rest can help alleviate angina by reducing the heart’s demand for oxygen. However, in the case of an MI, immediate medical intervention (such as thrombolytic therapy or angioplasty) is necessary to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.
Common Causes of Lung-Related Pain
Lung-related chest pain is often seen in conditions such as pneumothorax, pleurisy, and pulmonary embolism. In these cases, the pain is typically located near the anterior (front) and mid-axillary (vertical, separating the front and back sides of the body) lines on the affected side. However, if the diaphragm (the muscle beneath the lungs) is involved, the pain may radiate to the shoulder and back on the same side. The area of pain is generally about the size of a palm.Key Comparisons Between Heart- and Lung-Related Pain
Heart-related pain can extend to the neck, jaw, and particularly the inner side of the left arm—the pathway of the “heart meridian”—and typically covers an area about the size of a clenched fist. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the heart meridian is the pathway of the heart’s energy flow, located along the inner side of the left arm. By contrast, lung-related pain generally covers an area about the size of an open palm and is often accompanied by coughing.Preventing Blood Clots Following a Fracture
In addition to causing chest pain, both myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism can sometimes arise unexpectedly following certain injuries.In clinical practice, it is occasionally observed that patients with fractures—particularly femur fractures—can suddenly develop critical conditions such as myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or cerebral infarction within three days of the injury.
This is primarily due to blood clots or fat emboli formed from bleeding or fat released at the fracture site, which can travel through the bloodstream. If a clot lodges in the heart, it can result in myocardial infarction. If it reaches the lungs, it can cause pulmonary embolism, and if it blocks blood flow in the brain, it can lead to cerebral infarction.
Therefore, in the early stages following a severe fracture, TCM recommends taking herbs that help remove blood stasis and prevent blood clots. For younger patients, ground Eupolyphaga (Tu Bie Chong) can be used to disperse stagnant blood. For older patients, salvia (Dan Shen) and raw Panax notoginseng (San Qi) are preferred. To relieve severe initial pain and reduce swelling, frankincense (Ru Xiang) and myrrh (Mo Yao) can be used.
Everyday Care for Heart and Lung Health
The underlying risk for angina, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism is thrombosis, whereas pneumothorax and pleurisy are acute lung conditions that require urgent medical attention.Recipe for Heart Health
Ingredients:- 1 ounce (30 grams) dried white-backed wood ear mushrooms (soak in water before cooking)
- 2 ounces (60 grams) lean pork
- 5 red dates
- 2 slices aged ginger
Simmer the ingredients in 50.72 fluid ounces (6 to 7 cups) of water over low heat for at least two hours until the liquid reduces to approximately 16.91 fluid ounces (about 2 cups).
Drink on an empty stomach before meals. Prepare one serving daily and continue for 30 days. For optimal results, drink it in the early morning on an empty stomach.
Herbal Remedies
Another simple herbal remedy for health maintenance includes salvia (Dan Shen), Panax notoginseng (San Qi), and American ginseng (Xi Yang Shen). Grind these herbs in equal parts into a fine powder, and take 0.1 ounces (3 grams) after breakfast and dinner. This formula helps replenish qi, improve blood circulation, and remove blood stasis, thereby preventing blood clots.If you found this information helpful, please consider sharing it with others who may benefit from these insights.