What is heart failure?
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Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. The heart is a muscle that contains four chambers. Blood flows into the heart in the upper champers, atria, when the heart is relaxed (diastole). The blood flows into the lower chambers, or ventricles, where it is pumped out to the body as the heart muscle contracts (systole). The blood in the right side of the heart travels to the lungs where it picks up oxygen and then returns to the left side of the heart where it is pumped to the body. There are two types of heart failure. During systolic heart failure the left ventricle does not pump properly. Blood backs up in the veins and lungs. During diastolic heart failure, the left ventricle does not relax preventing the chamber from filling with blood properly. The heart pumps the reduced blood supply to the body at a normal rate.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. The heart is a muscle that contains four chambers. Blood flows into the heart in the upper champers, atria, when the heart is relaxed (diastole). The blood... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:The term “heart failure” can be very alarming. While it does not mean the heart has “failed” or stopped working, it is a serious condition. Congestive heart failure (CHF) implies the heart does not pump as well as it should to meet the body’s oxygen demands, often due to heart diseases (like cardiomyopathy or cardiovascular disease).
CHF can result from either a reduced ability of the heart muscle to contract or from a mechanical problem that limits the ability of the heart’s chambers to fill with blood. When weakened, the heart is unable to keep up with the demands placed upon it; blood returns to the heart faster than it can be pumped out so that it gets backed up or congested.
CHF occurs when the heart attempts to compensate for the “congestion” (or backup) of blood in a number of ways. It beats faster and expands somewhat more than usual as it fills with blood, so that when it contracts, more blood is forced out to the body. In addition, the decreased volume of blood reaching the kidneys causes them to start a hormonal cascade, which causes them to retain sodium and water. These efforts help meet the body’s demands in the short term, but they ultimately have very harmful long-term effects. Faster beating allows less time for the heart to refill after contraction, so less blood ends up being circulated. The increased effort means the heart muscle needs more oxygen, and if this need isn’t met, it can be fatal.
CHF occurs most frequently in those over age 60 and is the leading cause of hospitalization and death in that age group. In over 50 percent of cases, sudden death occurs due to a cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.
Patients with CHF can enjoy better health if they treat the underlying cause, if possible. For many patients the outlook is uncertain and depends on the extent of the disease and the patient’s response to therapy. However, in other cases, restricted salt intake and medication are used to ease the strain on the heart and to relieve symptoms. While CHF is a serious health risk, it is possible for patients to live with CHF and manage many symptoms effectively with proper treatment if they adhere to prescribed regimens.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulThe term “heart failure” can be very alarming. While it does not mean the heart has “failed” or stopped working, it is a serious condition. Congestive heart failure (CHF) implies the heart does not pump as well as it should... More -
American Heart Association answered:Congestive heart failure, also called simply heart failure, is a form of heart failure that requires medical attention to reduce the risk of having severe difficulty breathing. Early signs and symptoms may include retaining excessive fluid, often leading to swelling of the legs and ankles and congestion in the lungs.
Congestive heart failure, also called simply heart failure, is a form of heart failure that requires medical attention to reduce the risk of having severe difficulty breathing. Early signs and symptoms may include retaining excessive... More -
SCAI answered:Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart loses its ability to keep up with the amount of blood needed by the body. Heart failure can occur due to conditions such as high blood pressure, diseased coronary arteries, untreated heart rhythm problems, infections, toxins or heart malformations, which leaves the heart too weak to pump the amount of blood the body needs. Heart failure can also occur when the heart muscle is damaged, such as from a heart attack.
Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart loses its ability to keep up with the amount of blood needed by the body. Heart failure can occur due to conditions such as high blood pressure, diseased coronary arteries, untreated heart... More -
Dr. Ketan N Desai of Piedmont Heart Institute answered:Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is the term given to describe the symptoms and/or signs that occur as a result of inefficient functioning of the heart. Heart failure can be categorized into two main types-systolic heart failure where the heart muscle has become weakened and is not pumping a normal volume, or diastolic heart failure where the heart is unable to relax effectively and as a result cannot fill with enough volume to pump it forward.
Signs and symptoms often manifest as swelling and shortness of breath. It should also be noted that there are multiple different causes within each of these main categories of heart failure.
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is the term given to describe the symptoms and/or signs that occur as a result of inefficient functioning of the heart. Heart failure can be categorized into two main types-systolic heart... More -
Dr. Frank Downey of Aurora Health Care answered:Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump well enough to provide the body – brain, kidneys, extremities – with enough blood flow.
Heart failure can have different causes, including coronary artery disease, viral illnesses and valvular heart disease.
Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump well enough to provide the body – brain, kidneys, extremities – with enough blood flow. Heart failure can have different causes, including coronary artery disease, viral... More -
Joan Haizlip answered:Heart failure happens when your heart suddenly stops being able to pump blood effectively. The heart is basically a pump. If the pump fails, or weakens, blood cannot be pumped to the rest of the body and signs and symptoms of heart failure occur:
- shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- unable to lie flat (orthopnea)
- swelling in the feet and legs (edema)
- confusion
- fatigue
Heart failure happens when your heart suddenly stops being able to pump blood effectively. The heart is basically a pump. If the pump fails, or weakens, blood cannot be pumped to the rest of the body and signs and symptoms of heart failure occur:... More -
American Diabetes Association answered:In heart failure, the heart is less able to pump blood. Heart failure may be caused by a number of problems, such as heart attack, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure. In congestive heart failure, another heart condition, fluid builds up inside body tissues such as the lungs. Then breathing becomes difficult. Warning signs can differ among people but they include:
- shortness of breath
- weakness
- nausea
- fatigue
- swelling of the feet and ankles (from fluid retention)In heart failure, the heart is less able to pump blood. Heart failure may be caused by a number of problems, such as heart attack, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure. In congestive heart failure, another heart condition, fluid... More -
Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:There are two kinds of heart failure. In the first kind, the heart muscle has weakened and cannot pump enough blood out with each beat. This is called "systolic heart failure." In the second kind, the heart pumps normally but the heart muscle has become stiff. Your heart has lost its ability to relax and does not completely fill with blood. This is called "diastolic heart failure."
If you have heart failure, your heart may not pump enough blood to the lungs and other parts of the body during activity. This causes a shortage of oxygen and nutrients in the blood that may make you feel weak and tired. When the heart is not pumping well, it can cause a backup of blood. This backup of blood causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels into the tissues. This is called "congestion." In the lungs, congestion may lead to difficulty breathing. In the ankles and legs, the congestion or backup of fluid causes swelling. In the belly, congestion may cause fullness or loss of appetite.There are two kinds of heart failure. In the first kind, the heart muscle has weakened and cannot pump enough blood out with each beat. This is called "systolic heart failure." In the second kind, the heart pumps normally but the heart... More -
Dr. Sean Pinney of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:The heart is a muscular organ at the core of the circulatory system. Its four chambers — two upper and two lower — cycle blood and oxygen throughout your body.
When the heart's chambers cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, the stage is set for heart failure, also called congestive heart failure. Heart failure is a complicated syndrome, and it involves pretty much every organ in the body.
The heart is a muscular organ at the core of the circulatory system. Its four chambers — two upper and two lower — cycle blood and oxygen throughout your body. When the heart's chambers cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs,... More -
Heart failure, often called congestive heart failure because of fluid build up in the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, the arms and legs, is a serious condition that occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It does not mean that the heart has stopped. The majority of heart failure cases are in the chronic heart failures.
The only cure for heart failure is a heart transplant. However, heart failure can be managed with medications or medical procedures.
The presence of the CDC logo and CDC content on this page should not be construed to imply endorsement by the US Government of any commercial products or services, or to replace the advice of a medical professional. The mark “CDC” is licensed under authority of the PHS.Heart failure, often called congestive heart failure because of fluid build up in the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, the arms and legs, is a serious condition that occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's... More -
Dr. Irvin Naylor of Carolinas HealthCare System answered:Heart failure is the inability of the heart to keep up with its workload. When someone has this condition, his or her heart cannot pump enough blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. Heart failure is often a chronic condition that can be treated with medications, diet, and other lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery.Heart failure is the inability of the heart to keep up with its workload. When someone has this condition, his or her heart cannot pump enough blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. Heart failure is often a chronic condition that can... More -
Penn Medicine answered:A healthy heart pumps out enough oxygen-rich blood to feed all parts of the body. When your heart can no longer do that, you have heart failure. Blood backs up into your lungs and other parts of your body. This causes symptoms such as shortness of breath or swelling in the belly, hands, legs and feet.
A healthy heart pumps out enough oxygen-rich blood to feed all parts of the body. When your heart can no longer do that, you have heart failure. Blood backs up into your lungs and other parts of your body. This causes symptoms such as... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. Usually this is because your heart muscle is too weak to "squeeze" out enough blood with each beat. But heart failure can also happen when your heart becomes too stiff and can't fill up with enough blood between each beat.
Heart failure is a serious condition -- and it's also quite common. In the United States, more than 5 million people are living with heart failure.Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. Usually this is because your heart muscle is too weak to "squeeze" out enough blood with each beat. But heart failure can also happen when... More -
Healthwise answered:Heart failure means that your heart muscle doesn't pump as much blood as your body needs. In time, this causes fluid to build up in your body, and you have symptoms like swelling in the legs and feeling out of breath and weak.
Heart failure usually gets worse over time. But treatment can slow the disease and help you feel better and live longer.
Heart failure means that your heart muscle doesn't pump as much blood as your body needs. In time, this causes fluid to build up in your body, and you have symptoms like swelling in the legs and feeling out of breath and weak. Heart failure usually... More -
Scripps Health answered:In heart failure, the heart muscle is too weak to pump an adequate supply of blood throughout the body. Often chronic, this condition may stem from previous heart attack(s) or advanced valve disease.
In heart failure, the heart muscle is too weak to pump an adequate supply of blood throughout the body. Often chronic, this condition may stem from previous heart attack(s) or advanced valve disease. More
