Heart Failure

Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, occurs when your heart doesn't pump enough blood for your body's needs. This can be due to the heart not filling up with enough blood or being too weak to pump properly. It's important to understand that "heart failure" doesn't mean your heart has stopped, but it's still a serious condition needing medical care.

Signs & Symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.

  • Fatigue and weakness.

  • Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.

  • Reduced ability to exercise.

  • Wheezing.

  • A cough that doesn't go away or a cough that brings up white or pink mucus with spots of blood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 6 million adults in the United States have heart failure.

Nearly half of all patients with heart failure have a normal ejection fraction (EF). EF is a measurement, expressed as a percentage, of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. An ejection fraction of 60 percent means that 60 percent of the total amount of blood in the left ventricle is pushed out with each heartbeat. A normal heart’s ejection fraction is between 55 and 70 percent.

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a clinical syndrome in which patients have signs and symptoms of Heart Failure as the result of high left ventricular (LV) filling pressure despite normal or near normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF; ≥50 percent). Most patients with HFpEF also display normal LV volumes and an abnormal diastolic filling pattern (ie, diastolic dysfunction).

The prevalence of HFpEF continues to increase in the developed world, likely because of the increasing prevalence of common risk factors, including older age, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.

Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a clinical syndrome in which patients have signs and symptoms of Heart Failure as the result of impaired left ventricular (LV) systolic (pump) function, resulting in a reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF; typically, <40 percent). Patients with HFrEF often present with enlarged LV volumes and reduced cardiac output, reflecting the diminished contractile capacity of the heart. 

The prevalence of HFrEF remains significant worldwide, influenced by common risk factors such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and prior myocardial infarction. Advances in medical and device-based therapies have improved outcomes, but the burden of HFrEF continues to impact healthcare systems globally. 

If you are concerned about your personal health, please speak to a specialist or your healthcare provider urgently.