Chronic Heart Failure, often referred to simply as heart failure, is a medical condition characterized by the heart’s inability to pump blood efficiently to meet the body’s needs. This chronic condition results from various cardiovascular disorders that weaken the heart muscle, impairing its ability to maintain adequate circulation.
CHF typically stems from conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or myocardial infarction, leading to structural or functional abnormalities in the heart. As the heart weakens, it struggles to pump blood effectively, causing a cascade of physiological changes that can impact other organs and systems.
Common symptoms of CHF include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling (edema), and fluid retention. These manifestations result from the accumulation of blood and fluid in the lungs and peripheral tissues due to the heart’s diminished pumping capacity.