Chest Tightness

胸悶 / 胸闷

Sensation of pressure or constriction in the chest.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Cardiovascular Care
Also Known As	Chest oppression, Tight chest, Chest constraint, Feeling of chest pressure, Oppressive chest
Common Symptoms	A sense of tightness, pressure or constraint in the chest that is not necessarily sharp pain. Breathing may feel restricted, and the sensation can worsen with emotion, weather change or after meals. Sighing or a need to stretch the chest sometimes brings temporary relief.
Related TCM Patterns	Qi Stagnation · Blood Stasis · Damp-Heat · Phlegm-Heat · Phlegm-Dampness
Related Classical Formulas	Chai Hu Shu Gan San · Yue Ju Wan · Si Ni San · Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang · Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang · Xiao Chai Hu Tang · Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang · Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang · Ban Xia Hou Po Tang · San Ren Tang · Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang · Xiao Xian Xiong Tang · Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang

Chest Tightness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chest tightness is often associated with Qi stagnation or Blood stasis patterns. Differentiation looks at whether the sensation is moving or fixed, whether emotion clearly triggers it, whether there is rib-side distension or dark facial colour, and whether the pulse is wiry or choppy. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern features rather than to the feeling of tightness alone. Accompanying signs such as tongue appearance, pulse quality and the presence of heat or cold help distinguish one presentation from another.

TCM Patterns Associated With Chest Tightness

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Chai Hu Shu Gan San Yue Ju Wan Si Ni San Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang Xiao Chai Hu Tang Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
Blood Stasis血瘀證Stagnation Patterns	Fixed, stabbing or piercing pain that does not move freely, often worse at night or with pressure. The complexion may look darker or purplish, and in women the menstrual flow can be dark with clots. Lips or nails may appear dusky. Tongue dark or with purple spots or congested veins under the tongue; pulse choppy or wiry and hesitant.	Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Damp-Heat濕熱證Damp Patterns	A heavy body with a sense of heat, sticky or bitter taste in the mouth, scanty dark urine, and discomfort that worsens in hot humid weather. There may be greasy skin, sticky stools, or yellowish discharge. Thirst is present but drinking may not feel satisfying. Tongue red with a yellow greasy coating; pulse slippery and rapid.	San Ren Tang
Phlegm-Heat痰熱證Phlegm Patterns	Yellow or sticky phlegm that is hard to expectorate, chest tightness, and a sense of heat or restlessness. There may be a bitter taste, thirst, and constipation or dark urine when heat is marked. Cough can be forceful with a rattling sound. Tongue red with a yellow greasy coating; pulse slippery and rapid.	Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Phlegm-Dampness痰濕證Phlegm Patterns	Copious white or sticky phlegm, a heavy chest or head, and a greasy tongue coating. There may be nausea, poor appetite, and a foggy or heavy mental feeling that worsens in damp weather or after rich food. Coughing brings up phlegm that is hard to clear completely. Tongue pale with a thick greasy white coating; pulse slippery.	Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang