Congestive Heart Failure

Heart failure (sometimes known as congestive heart failure [CHF]) is a serious condition in which the heart is not pumping efficiently. It is a chronic condition that is the result of other cardiac conditions.

In the late stages of heart failure, the heart is unable to meet the body’s demand for oxygen. In addition, it may cause congestion in the lungs or other problems throughout the body. As a result of the lack of oxygen-rich blood flowing to the body, the heart tries to work harder, which only makes the problem worse.

A doctor in a white coat points at a heart ultrasound image on a monitor while explaining results to an older male patient in a medical office.

Conditions that could lead to heart failure include:

Heart valve disease (e.g., valvular stenosis or valvular regurgitation)
Infection in the heart valves (valvular endocarditis) or of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
Congenital heart disease (cardiac conditions present since birth)
Severe lung disease (e.g., pulmonary hypertension) or obstructive sleep apnea

Pericardial disease (pericarditis)
Coronary artery disease
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Heart attack
Diabetes mellitus
Cardiomyopathy