What is heart failure?

Despite the way it sounds, the term "heart failure" simply means that your heart isn't pumping blood as well asit should. Heart failure doesn't mean your heart has stopped working or that you are having a heart attack (but, people with heart failure often have had a heart attack in the past). Heart failure is also called congestive heart failure, or CHF. "Congestive" means fluid is building up in the body because the heart isn't pumping properly.
What causes heart failure?
Heart failure has many different causes. Sometimes the exact cause can't be found. The most common causes of heart failure are listed below:
Coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels to the heart)
Problems with the heart muscle itself (known as cardiomyopathy)
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension)
Problems with any of the heart valves
Abnormal heart rhythms (also called arrythmias)
Toxic substances (such as alcohol abuse)
Congenital heart disease (a heart problem you were born with)
Diabetes
Thyroid problems
What are the symptoms of heart failure?
Some people with heart failure have few problems or symptoms. The following is a list of problems that people with heart failure might haveShortness of breath (perhaps when walking or climbing stairs)
Shortness of breath when lying down flat in bed
Waking up in the night, suddenly breathless
General tiredness or weakness
Swelling of the legs (usually just the feet or ankles)
Rapid weight gain (1 or 2 pounds a day for 3 days in a row)
Chronic cough
Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you've had heart problems before