What is congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure is best described as a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is compromised, leading to an inadequate blood supply to meet the body's needs. In this state, the heart does not work efficiently, which can result in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.

This condition can lead to a range of complications, including the buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) and other tissues in the body. While fluid retention in the lungs is a related symptom, it does not define congestive heart failure itself. Instead, it is a consequence of the heart's impaired function.

Understanding congestive heart failure as the heart's inability to pump adequate blood also highlights the importance of managing the underlying causes and symptoms to improve the patient's quality of life. This includes networked approaches involving medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgical interventions, all aimed at optimizing cardiac function and reducing fluid overload.