According to the different stages and characteristics of different syndromes of development of chronic heart failure

the relationship between etiology

pathogenesis and water-dampness was analyzed. It is considered that chronic heart failure is Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in the early stage

manifested as deficiency of Qi leading to spleen deficiency and loss of transportation and transformation of water; Qi deficiency leads to blood stasis. If the blood does not circulate freely

it will transform into water. The stop of water movement aggravates blood stasis

and blood stasis aggravates Qi deficiency. In the mid-term stage

the deficiency of Qi and Yin was manifested as the deficiency of both Qi and Yin

and the internal retention of blood stasis and water. Binding of blood stasis and water will more damage Qi Yin. In the late stage

Yang deficiency and water diffusion syndrome was manifested as the kidney lacks of warming

retention and stagnation of water. Fluid stopped for a long time

increasing blood stasis. It explained the key role of water-dampness in the course of chronic heart failure

and proposed that clinical treatment of the disease can be achieved through "treating water".