AIM: To probe into the influence of liver functions in traditional Chinese medicine on physiology and pathology of heart so as to provide theoretic guides for treatment of coronary heart disease by focusing on liver functiosn. METHODS: Several liver functions are considered, such as to maintain the normal circulation of qi and blood, regulate emotional factors and promote digestion and absorption, to probe into the regulation of liver in the heart and pathological mechanism of liver in failure to maintain free flow of qi on occurrence of coronary heart disease. RESULTS: Liver is the important factor to regulate cardiac function. Failure of liver to maintain free flow of qi is the startup prerequisite of coronary heart disease. CONCLUSION: The research on mechanism of coronary heart disease in Chinese medicine should emphasize on liver functions. To focus on liver theory is the essential approach in treatment of coronary heart disease in Chinese medicine.