Maryland Heart Center

Heart Failure

What is Heart Failure?

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Dr. Gottlieb’s Bio | Q&A Archive

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Heart failure is the condition resulting from the heart's inability to pump an adequate amount of blood through the body. Heart failure may be sudden, but may also develop slowly and gradually over many years. But in either case, the condition cases the heart to lose its ability to work and pump blood efficiently.

The result is that the body doesn't get as much oxygen and nutrients as it needs, leading to problems like fatigue, loss of appetite, and kidney failure. Blood backs up behind the heart, leading to increased pressure or fluid in the lungs. This causes shortness of breath. The body also often holds on to fluid. Heart failure is usually a chronic, long-term condition that is managed with medications and lifestyle changes.

Types of Heart Failure

The two main categories of heart failure are systolic heart failure and diastolic heart failure.

Systolic heart failure is when heart failure is caused by the heart not contracting well. The heart can't pump with enough force to push enough blood into the circulation. As a result, blood coming into the heart from the lungs can back up, causing fluid to leak into the lungs.

This is the most common type of heart failure, and the one doctors can treat and understand the best.

Diastolic heart failure is a different disease -- it's the heart not relaxing well. Very often, it's associated with high blood pressure and a thick heart. This form may lead to fluid accumulation, especially in the feet, ankles, and legs. Some patients may have lung congestion. Although doctors can treat blood pressure and fluid volume, there are not as many treatment options for this type of heart failure.

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