Skip navigation
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
From the National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health
   Other Topics: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ All Topics

Heart Failure

Also called: Cardiac failure, CHF, Congestive heart failure, Left-sided heart failure, Right-sided heart failure 
 
 

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood throughout the body. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way it should.

The weakening of the heart's pumping ability causes

  • Blood and fluid to back up into the lungs
  • The buildup of fluid in the feet, ankles and legs - called edema
  • Tiredness and shortness of breath

The leading causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Treatment includes treating the underlying cause of your heart failure, medicines, and heart transplantation if other treatments fail.

Heart failure is a serious condition. About 5 million people in the U.S. have heart failure. It contributes to 300,000 deaths each year.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
Basics Learn More Multimedia & Cool Tools
 

 

 
Research Reference Shelf For You
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heart Failure - Multiple Languages