How does modern medicine explain the 'heart qi deficiency' and pulse irregularities described in Donguibogam? They can be understood through the crucial concepts of autonomic nervous system imbalance and heart rate variability. The autonomic nervous system in our body consists of the sympathetic nerve and parasympathetic nerve. Like a seesaw, these two maintain balance and regulate numerous involuntary physiological functions, such as heartbeat, blood pressure, digestion, and respiration.
Chronic stress, sleep deprivation, excessive caffeine intake, and irregular lifestyle habits excessively trigger sympathetic activation, just like being in a perpetual state of tension. When the sympathetic nerve becomes dominant this way, the heart tries to beat faster and stronger, placing continuous strain on the heart. Atrial fibrillation and premature ventricular contraction, which are types of arrhythmia where the heart beats irregularly, are often deeply related to such autonomic nervous system imbalance.
What warrants special attention is heart rate variability. Heart rate variability is an index measuring the subtle variations in the intervals between consecutive heartbeats. A healthy heart flexibly responds to diverse stimuli at every moment, causing heartbeat intervals to vary subtly; this is a sign that the parasympathetic nerve is functioning actively. A higher heart rate variability indicates that the heart and autonomic nervous system are flexible and healthy. Conversely, a lower heart rate variability suggests that the autonomic nervous system balance is disrupted, the sympathetic nerve is dominant, vulnerability to stress is high, and the risk of cardiovascular disease may increase. It is akin to an engine running too fast or erratically.
This autonomic nervous system imbalance does not merely affect the heartbeat. It also impacts the vascular health of the entire body over the long term. Sustained sympathetic activation constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and can lead to endothelial dysfunction. This can be a factor that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as arteriosclerosis. In addition, chronic stress induces inflammatory reactions and elevates hypercoagulability, further worsening vascular health.
Ultimately, the 'heart qi deficiency' of Donguibogam corresponds closely to autonomic nervous system hypofunction or reduced heart rate variability in modern medicine. Taking your own pulse can be a wise way to avoid missing the subtle signals your body sends and to care for your health before larger problems develop. Listening to the sound your heart sends is the first step toward a healthy life.
