What is heart failure?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    Heart failure is a progressive condition that occurs when the heart is not able to fully fill with blood and/or pump blood effectively. It is also known as “congestive heart failure”. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have jointly identified four stages of heart failure. Stage A (at risk for HF) and stage B (pre-HF) occur when the heart begins to structurally and functionally change without symptoms. Most people are diagnosed with heart failure when the disease has progressed to stages C (symptomatic HF), when symptoms start to occur, or D (advanced HF).[1] The most common risk factors for heart failure are metabolic syndrome, obesity, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.

    References

    1. ^Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, Allen LA, Byun JJ, Colvin MM, Deswal A, Drazner MH, Dunlay SM, Evers LR, Fang JC, Fedson SE, Fonarow GC, Hayek SS, Hernandez AF, Khazanie P, Kittleson MM, Lee CS, Link MS, Milano CA, Nnacheta LC, Sandhu AT, Stevenson LW, Vardeny O, Vest AR, Yancy CW2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation.(2022-May-03)