Rethinking Heart Health

Insights from TCM, Movement, and Tom Cowan’s "Human Heart, Cosmic Heart"

Introduction

Most of us grew up with a simple understanding of the heart: it’s a pump that pushes blood through our arteries, keeping us alive. Modern medicine has largely focused on this mechanical model, treating heart disease with medications, surgeries, and cholesterol management.

But what if the heart isn’t just a pump? What if its role in circulation is more dynamic, subtle, and energetic than we’ve been taught? In Human Heart, Cosmic Heart, Dr. Tom Cowan challenges the conventional view, suggesting that the heart acts more as a vortex, influencing circulation through fluid dynamics and bioelectric energy rather than forcefully pushing blood.

This idea aligns closely with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which sees the Heart as the “Emperor” of the body—governing blood, energy flow, and even consciousness. In this article, we’ll explore Cowan’s insights alongside TCM perspectives, movement practices, and modern research to offer a fresh, holistic view of heart health.

The Heart in TCM: The Emperor of the Body

In TCM, the Heart is more than an organ—it is the ruler of the body’s internal kingdom. Known as the Shen (spirit) house, the Heart governs not just blood circulation but also emotional well-being and mental clarity. A balanced Heart is associated with joy, clear thinking, and strong vitality, while an imbalanced Heart can lead to anxiety, poor circulation, or even insomnia.

The Heart’s relationship with Qi (vital energy) and Blood is crucial. Blood carries nourishment, but it is Qi that propels it through the vessels. If Heart Qi is weak, circulation becomes sluggish. If Blood is deficient, the mind may feel scattered or restless. Additionally, the Heart is deeply connected to the Pericardium and Small Intestine meridians, which influence emotional processing and digestion.

Understanding the Heart in this way shifts our focus from simply managing cholesterol to nurturing circulation, emotional balance, and the flow of vital energy.

Cowan’s Alternative View of the Heart

Dr. Tom Cowan questions whether the heart truly functions as a mechanical pump. He points out that the blood moves in a spiraling, vortex-like motion, suggesting that the heart may act more as a facilitator of flow rather than the sole force behind circulation. He also critiques the mainstream emphasis on arterial blockages, arguing that heart disease is more about metabolic dysfunction, poor circulation, and stress than simply cholesterol buildup.

His perspective aligns with emerging research on blood flow dynamics, bioelectricity, and the role of structured water in the body. Rather than seeing the heart as a mechanical organ, Cowan invites us to consider it as a center of rhythm, energy, and coherence.

Bridging Cowan’s Ideas with TCM & Movement

Cowan’s concept of circulation resonates with TCM’s view of the Heart as a conductor of Qi and Blood rather than just a mechanical pump. In both frameworks, movement plays a key role in maintaining circulation—not just physical movement, but also the movement of energy within the body.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong, for example, emphasize smooth, spiraling motions that naturally support circulation and Heart Qi. These practices align with Cowan’s idea of blood moving through vortex-like patterns, rather than being forcefully pushed. Similarly, acupuncture and meridian work enhance the flow of Qi and Blood, ensuring that circulation remains unrestricted.

Breathing practices also play a role. Diaphragmatic breathing (often emphasized in both Qi Gong and modern functional medicine) helps create pressure differentials in the body that aid circulation, reinforcing the idea that the heart is not the sole driver of blood flow.

Modern Research & Supporting Evidence

Scientific research is beginning to validate both Cowan’s perspective and traditional movement-based approaches:

• Heart Coherence & Bioelectricity – The HeartMath Institute has shown that the heart generates an electromagnetic field that influences brain waves and overall health. This aligns with both Cowan’s bioelectric model and TCM’s emphasis on the Heart’s connection to consciousness.
• Fascia & Circulation – Research on the fascial system suggests that circulation is influenced by the body’s connective tissue network, supporting the idea that movement and fluid dynamics play a role in blood flow beyond just the heart’s contractions.
• Tai Chi & Cardiovascular Health – Studies have found that Tai Chi improves heart rate variability, lowers stress markers, and enhances circulation—suggesting that gentle, rhythmic movement may be just as important as cardiovascular exercise for heart health.

Practical Takeaways for Heart Health

So, how can we apply these insights to our own health? Here are some holistic strategies to support your Heart Qi, circulation, and overall cardiovascular well-being:

1. Move in Spirals – Incorporate gentle, flowing exercises like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or even dance to support circulation in a way that mirrors the natural spirals in the body.
2. Breathe with Awareness – Practice diaphragmatic breathing to enhance circulation and oxygenation. Try inhaling deeply through the nose, expanding the belly, and exhaling slowly.
3. Stimulate the Heart Meridian – Massage or apply acupressure to points like Heart 7 (Shenmen) to calm the mind and support heart function.
4. Eat for Heart Qi – Support circulation with warming foods like ginger, cinnamon, and hawthorn berry, which are known in TCM to invigorate blood flow.
5. Prioritize Emotional Health – Since the Heart governs the Shen, managing stress and emotional balance is crucial. Practices like meditation, gratitude journaling, and time in nature all support a healthy heart.
6. Explore Alternative Perspectives – Consider reading Human Heart, Cosmic Heart to dive deeper into Cowan’s perspective on heart health.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Rethinking heart health means looking beyond cholesterol and heart rate—it’s about understanding circulation as a dynamic, energetic process. Whether through the lens of TCM, movement arts, or alternative medicine, we see a recurring theme: the heart is not just a pump; it is a center of rhythm, coherence, and flow.

If you’re interested in learning more about how acupuncture, movement, and holistic therapies can support your heart health, feel free to reach out. And if Cowan’s ideas resonate with you, consider reading Human Heart, Cosmic Heart to explore these concepts further.