Mechanism of Heart Failure and Progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Abstract

Heart failure, as the terminal phase of cardiovascular diseases, demonstrates escalating incidence amid aging populations and growing chronic disease burdens. This review systematically delineates modern pathological mechanisms of HF and its core pathogenesis in Traditional Chinese Medicine, revealing a dynamic progression pattern: Qi deficiency→ deficiency of both Qi and Yin→ water flooding due to Yang deficiency. Guided by the fundamental TCM principle of “benefiting Qi, Activating Blood Circulation, and promoting urination”, interventions integrate acupuncture and moxibustion, tuina, traditional mind-body exercises (eg, Tai Chi), and multi-target herbal therapies to alleviate symptoms and provide organ-protective effects. Current research must prioritize elucidating precise targets and molecular pathways of Chinese herbs to enable precision medicine approaches, thereby advancing novel therapeutic strategies for HF.