by Safa

Created on: December 20, 2011   Last Updated: December 21, 2011

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), often confused with a heart attack, means that the heart’s ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demand has been reduced. It does not mean that the heart has stopped working or going to give up. The inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently is usually due to the weakening or hardening of its muscles, which is caused by other cardiovascular diseases (heart diseases).

Heart failure is a condition that develops over long term but it can also develop suddenly (acute heart failure). This serious condition can cause disability and lead to death. It has no cure but it can be treated with drugs and by making lifestyle changes. The treatment for heart failure is costly and if treatment fails heart transplantation is needed. Heart failure causes 300,000 deaths per year in the US. Heart failure in addition to other cardiovascular diseases is a growing health concern in the Western world and in some developing countries.

In heart failure one or both sides of the heart can be affected. Most cases of heart failure usually involve both sides of the heart. According to the side affected, heart failure is classified into either right- or left-sided heart failure. In right-sided heart failure, the heart is unable to pump enough blood (de-oxygenated) from the heart to the lungs. In contrast to right-sided heart failure, left-sided heart failure involves the inability of the left side of the heart to pump blood (oxygenated) to the body’s organs.

Heart failure results in decreased blood flow to parts of the body. In an attempt by the body to compensate for this decreased blood circulation, the body tries to increase the blood volume through hormones and nerve signals. In this regard, the blood volume is increased by water retention in the kidneys which results in the backing up of blood behind the heart and this leads to fluid build-up (oedema) in the lungs and body tissues.  

Diseases that weaken the heart lead to heart failure. The main cause of heart failure is coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the most common type of cardiovascular disease, characterized by the narrowing of blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. High blood pressure and diabetes mellitus also considerably contribute to heart failure. Other conditions that lead to heart failure include heart attack (myocardial infarction), congenital heart disease, heart valve disease,

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