Have you ever experienced your heart dropping with a thud, or suddenly pounding and falling out of rhythm? In those moments, it is natural to feel anxious and wonder why your heart is acting this way. The Donguibogam looks at these symptoms with great care.
It describes the heart as the monarch organ, playing a central governing role like a king. It directs all organs and serves as the center of mental activity. The pulse acts like an envoy, a messenger that conveys this state of the heart throughout the body. When the ruler is at peace and governance proceeds smoothly, the envoy steps forward with a steady, strong pace. When the ruler is burdened with worry and the realm is in turmoil, the envoy's steps inevitably become unstable and erratic.
Arrhythmia, where the heart loses its regular pace and beats erratically, is explained in the Donguibogam primarily through an imbalance of qi and blood, along with the influence of the seven emotions. Strong emotions such as stress, anxiety, and worry impede the flow of qi, disrupting harmony between the heart and pulse. When qi gathers and stagnates, much like a river growing turbulent when blocked by a dam, the pulse can turn irregular.
Furthermore, when the blood that nourishes the heart runs low, the heart loses strength and the pulse can weaken or falter. It resembles a clock low on battery that ticks, pauses, and resumes. These symptoms tend to appear when fatigue accumulates or nutritional intake is inadequate.
The text also notes that external cold qi or intense heat invading the body can disrupt the heart's equilibrium, just as cold winter winds cause the body to tense and affect the heart. Rather than overlooking these subtle signals, the Donguibogam focuses on restoring balance throughout the entire body. An irregular pulse is like a distress signal from the heart asking for attention, making it essential to listen closely.
