What Is Heart Failure?
Heart failure is a complex condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for oxygen and nutrients. It’s not that the heart has stopped working — rather, the heart’s pumping ability is weakened or its ability to fill properly is compromised. As a result, blood can back up in the lungs and other parts of the body, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid buildup.
Symptoms of Heart Failure
- Heart failure symptoms can develop slowly over time (chronic) or appear suddenly (acute). Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during activity or while lying down
- Fatigue, weakness, or decreased exercise tolerance
- Swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, abdomen or hands
- Persistent cough or wheezing
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Sudden weight gain from fluid retention
- Reduced appetite or nausea
Prompt recognition of these symptoms helps guide appropriate care and improves outcomes.
Types of Heart Failure
Understanding the different classifications of heart failure can help patients and caregivers recognize symptoms and tailor care plans.
Left-Sided Heart Failure
Left-sided heart failure affects the left ventricle — the heart’s main pumping chamber that sends oxygen-rich blood to the body. When it’s weakened, blood backs up into the lungs, causing shortness of breath and coughing.
www.heart.org
Within left-sided failure there are two key subtypes:
Systolic heart failure (Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction – HFrEF)
The heart muscle can’t contract with enough force, reducing the amount of blood the heart pumps out.
Diastolic heart failure (Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction – HFpEF)
The heart muscle becomes stiff and can’t relax normally between beats, limiting its ability to fill with blood.
Right-Sided Heart Failure
Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle cannot pump blood effectively to the lungs. As a result, blood backs up in the veins, often causing swelling in the legs, feet, abdomen, and other parts of the body. Right-sided failure frequently develops as a result of left-sided failure.
Biventricular Heart Failure
This term describes dysfunction in both the left and right sides of the heart, combining symptoms of both types and often indicating more advanced disease.
Chronic vs. Acute Heart Failure
Heart failure may progress slowly over time — known as chronic heart failure — usually due to long-standing conditions such as hypertension or coronary artery disease. In contrast, acute heart failure occurs suddenly, often after a heart attack or new arrhythmia, and requires urgent medical care.
Causes & Risk Factors
Heart failure can be triggered by a range of underlying heart and systemic conditions, such as:
- Coronary artery disease and prior heart attack
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart valve disease
- Cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle)
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Diabetes and kidney disease
- Chronic lung disease
A combination of conditions often contributes to worsening heart function over time.
Diagnosis & Tests
Your cardiology team may use several tools to evaluate heart failure, including:
- Echocardiogram – ultrasound imaging of the heart’s structure and function
- Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) – measures heart rhythm
- Chest X-ray – evaluates heart size and lung congestion
- Blood tests – check for markers of heart strain and other causes
- Cardiac catheterization or stress testing when needed
These tests help guide treatment planning and monitor response to therapy.
Treatment & Management
Heart failure care is personalized based on the type, severity, and underlying causes. Common approaches include:
- Lifestyle changes — heart-healthy diet, exercise, sodium restriction, weight management
- Medications — ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, diuretics, and other agents
- Cardiac devices — pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, or ventricular assist devices when appropriate
- Advanced therapies — surgical options or heart transplant for selected patients
With appropriate management, many people live active lives and experience improvements in symptoms and quality of life.
Living With Heart Failure
Ongoing monitoring and lifestyle management are key. Patients benefit from regular cardiology follow-up, symptom tracking (e.g., weight changes or shortness of breath), and adherence to prescribed therapies. Early recognition of worsening symptoms can prevent complications.
When to Seek Immediate Care
Call your cardiology team or seek emergency care if you experience:
- Severe shortness of breath at rest
- Chest pain or fainting
- Rapid weight gain with swelling
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
Why Choose Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Cardiology
At Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health, our expert team of cardiologists provide expert heart failure care, offering advanced diagnostics, individualized treatment plans, and compassionate support to help you manage your heart health at every stage.
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