When the heart fails to contract properly oxygenated blood is not pumped adequately to the tissues and organs of the body. This inability to deliver oxygen to body tissues can lead to generalized weakness and fatigue. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath on exertion or chest pain. If there is an electrical rhythm disturbance associated with the cardiomyopathy, abnormal heartbeats may cause palpitations and the sensation of an occasional skipped heart beat or lethal heart rhythms, such asventricular fibrillation.

Symptoms of Cardiomyopathy according to the theory of TCM:
1. Deficiency of Qi and yin
Main symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, chest distress, spontaneous perspiration, sweating, thirst, red tongue with less fluid, thin pulse.

2. Deficiency of kidney Yang
Main symptoms: fatigue, chest distress, swellings, scanty urine, aversion to cold, white tongue coating, deep pulse.

3. Deficiency of Liver Yang
Main symptoms: fatigue, chest distress, excessive sweating, cold hands and feet, thin and white tongue coating, thin pulse.