Understanding Heart Failure

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. In some cases, the heart can’t fill with enough blood. In other cases, the heart can’t pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force. Some people have both problems.

Important Note: The term “heart failure” doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. However, heart failure is a serious condition that requires medical care.

Heart failure develops over time as the heart’s pumping action grows weaker. The condition can affect the right side of the heart only, or it can affect both sides of the heart. Most cases involve both sides of the heart.

Types of Heart Failure

Right-side heart failure occurs if the heart can’t pump enough blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen.

Symptoms: May cause fluid to build up in the feet, ankles, legs, liver, abdomen, and the veins in the neck.

Left-side heart failure occurs if the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.

Common Causes

The leading causes of heart failure are diseases that damage the heart:

CHD damages heart muscle

Forces heart to work harder

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgical treatment for heart failure depends on the underlying cause and severity. Options may include: