Objective To investigate the value of tongue coating in determination of stress reaction degree induced by acute myocardial infarction （AMI） and the prognosis of the disease. Method To choose 32 patients with AMI

and record their thickness of tongue coating

degrees of symptoms

and the levels of cortisol （CO）

plasma motilin （MTL）

serum gastrin （GAS）

plasma epidermal growth factor （h-EGF）

and serum thyroxin （T

3

T

4

） at 1st

3rd

5th

7th and 14th day after the hospitalization

then to observe the relationship between the thickness of tongue coating and stress changes in AMI. Results The levels of CO

GAS

h-EGF increased and T

3

T

4

decreased at 1st day. At the same time the average thickness of tongue coating was the highest （11.56±4.64）. The integral of the group with the syndrome of phlegm-dampness obstructing internally was high from beginning to end compared with the other groups. There was a correlation respectively between the thickness of tongue coating and the levels of h-EGF

T

3

and number of AMI days

and T

4

and symptom integral. Conclusion There is a close relationship between the thickness of tongue coating and the changes of excitable hormone induced by AMI.