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.
What is heart failure?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a progressive condition in which the heart cannot effectively fill with or pump blood. It is categorized into 4 stages; most diagnoses occur at stages C (symptomatic heart failure) or D (advanced heart failure).