Heart palpitations can have several potential causes and while the majority of them are not serious, palpitations can be a sign of a hidden problem like arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). People with a hyperthyroid condition or those suffering from panic attacks due to an anxiety disorder can also experience heart palpitations. The heart can palpitate if you drink too much caffeinated beverages or when performing a strenuous physical activity or exercise. If you’re feeling stressed, you can also experience palpitations, which is normal, especially when you sense a real danger threatening you directly or indirectly.

Issues with blood flow can usually come about from arteriosclerosis or arterial collusion. Diseases affecting the peripheral artery are another cause of circulatory disorder that is the result of an improper flow of blood to the extremities caused by the narrowing of the arteries. A blocked artery can be an indication of atherosclerosis where blood flow is severely restricted because of the amassing of arterial plaque. Another disease of the arteries is angina which is poor blood flow to the heart. The plaque accumulation greatly increases the chance of a person getting a stroke or a heart attack. For blood flow problems, mainstream medicine doctors prescribe drugs to lower high blood pressure, cholesterol or the risk of blood clotting. Other mainstream options for these circulatory diseases can include bypass surgery or angioplasty.

There can be a few traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic patterns for the symptom of heart palpitations. These patterns can include blood stagnation, yin and yang deficiency, and heart Qi deficiency. The acupuncturist will focus on the acupuncture points that need to be treated in order to rectify these concerns. Qi flow regulates the circulation of blood in the arteries. One of the acupuncture points that can help treat circulatory problems and heart palpitations is the lung acupoint, Lu 9 (Taiyuan).

If you are suffering from palpitations related to anxiety or hyperthyroidism, try having the palpitations as well as the anxiety or hyperthyroidism resolved with acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy. Acupuncture can also be helpful for other problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight gain or tobacco addiction.

The correct form of Chinese medicine therapy for heart palpitations and blood flow issues is based on the cause. We now know that several factors can bring about these problems. Since Chinese medicine aims to resolve the underlying cause of the problem, an appropriate Chinese medicine diagnosis is needed. For this you need to consult with an acupuncturist who is licensed and has wide experience in treating palpitations and blood flow conditions. If you are using conventional modalities, you can use acupuncture as an adjunct therapy. Your acupuncturist will treat health issues by suggesting that you eat the right kinds of food, exercise (if appropriate), and to completely quit smoking.