Heart failure is a medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood effectively enough to meet the body’s needs. This can result from various underlying conditions that damage the heart, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or previous heart attacks. It leads to the accumulation of fluids in the lungs, liver, and legs, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, fatigue, and fluid retention.
Types of Heart Failure
- Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF):
- The heart’s ability to contract is weakened, and it pumps less blood out.
- Ejection fraction (EF) is lower than normal (less than 40%).
- Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF):
- The heart’s pumping ability is normal, but the heart muscle becomes stiff and doesn’t relax properly.
- EF remains normal (50% or higher), but the heart has trouble filling with blood.
- Right-sided heart failure:
- Occurs when the right side of the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to the lungs.
- Can result in fluid buildup in the abdomen, legs, and feet.
- Left-sided heart failure:
- The left side of the heart fails to pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body effectively.
- Leads to fluid retention in the lungs and shortness of breath.
