What Is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump or fill adequately to meet the body's needs.

It does not mean that the heart has stopped working. Rather, the heart's ability to function effectively has become impaired.

Common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Reduced exercise capacity
• Leg or ankle swelling
• Difficulty breathing when lying flat
• Rapid weight gain due to fluid retention

Heart failure can result from many conditions, including coronary artery disease, previous heart attack, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and abnormal heart rhythms.

Treatment depends on the type and cause of heart failure and may include lifestyle measures, medications, device therapy, revascularization, valve intervention, or other advanced treatments.