Exploration of Clinical Methods for Treating Heart Failure Based on “Heart-Kidney Synergistic Treatment”

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is the end stage of various cardiovascular diseases, with persistently high morbidity and mortality rates, posing a serious public health problem. Modern medical treatments can effectively improve HF symptoms and prognosis, but still have limitations. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has explored various treatment methods for HF in the long term, among which the theory of “treating both the heart and kidneys” is one of the core treatment methods, demonstrating unique advantages and significant clinical efficacy. This article reviews ancient TCM texts, clinical treatment methods, and commonly used prescriptions for treating HF using the theory of “treating both the heart and kidneys.” The article points out that the theory of “treating both the heart and kidneys” is rooted in the holistic view of “interrelation of the five internal organs” in TCM, believing that although the main location of HF is in the heart, its occurrence and development are closely related to kidney function. Deficiency of heart and kidney yang and imbalance of water and fire are the core pathogenesis of this disease, while blood stasis and fluid retention are key pathological products. This article aims to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of HF using the theory of “treating both the heart and kidneys.”