What does whiteness surrounded by redness in the heart region of the ear indicate?

Whiteness surrounded by redness in the heart region of the ear is a specific reflection of the state of the cardiovascular system. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the ear is considered a microsystem that corresponds with various organs and areas of the body. The heart region of the ear is particularly insightful for assessing heart health.

The presence of whiteness indicates a change in the normal functioning of the heart, often associated with tissues that are engorged or not adequately oxygenated. When this whiteness is surrounded by redness, it suggests the presence of inflammation or irritation in the heart area, which aligns with the characteristics of rheumatic heart disease. This condition stems from a complication of rheumatic fever, which can cause inflammation of the heart and associated structures.

Thus, the specific combination of whiteness and redness points towards a problem that is not just a deficiency but involves inflammation and potentially damage due to prior insults, such as rheumatic fever, making this interpretation valid for identifying rheumatic heart disease.