Just as Donguibogam read the exhausted state of the heart through the pulse, modern medicine also detects a cardiac crisis from changes in the pulse. In particular, a weak and rapid pulse arising from cardiac hypofunction can be interpreted as an important sign of heart failure. Heart failure refers to a condition in which the heart cannot perform its proper function, failing to deliver the blood supply needed by our body. It is just like a broken pump unable to draw water properly.
Here, the pulse being weak occurs because the amount of blood ejected by the heart with each beat, known as cardiac output, has dropped significantly. When the contractility of the myocardium weakens, it cannot push blood out forcefully, making the pulse feel weak. Yet, the heart tries to beat more and more frequently to make up for this deficient blood supply. This is precisely why the pulse feels rapid, a condition called compensatory tachycardia. However, as an already exhausted heart strains to beat faster, it imposes an even greater burden on itself, ultimately leading to a vicious cycle where cardiac function deteriorates further.
Our body's complex neurohormonal system is involved in this process. When heart failure occurs, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an endocrine system such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to maintain blood pressure and blood circulation. While the activation of these systems increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels to temporarily maintain blood pressure, in the long term, it overloads the heart, damaging the myocardium and potentially causing cardiomegaly or fibrosis. Furthermore, when the heart weakens, blood pools in the lungs or other organs, giving rise to various symptoms such as dyspnea, edema, and chronic fatigue.
When the pulse is both weak and rapid, it is critical to confirm the presence of arrhythmia through an electrocardiogram and conduct a detailed evaluation of myocardial contractility, relaxation, and valve abnormalities via echocardiography. A blood test can also be performed to assess the brain natriuretic peptide level to determine the severity of heart failure. In this way, modern medicine precisely identifies the SOS signals sent by the heart through various scientific evidence and accurate diagnostic techniques, striving to restore an exhausted heart to health through tailored therapies, including medication and lifestyle modifications. Please do not take these signs lightly, as caring for your heart is essential.
