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Heart Failure

What is heart failure?
If you have heart failure, your heart doesn't pump as strongly as it should. The word "failure" may be frightening, but it doesn't mean that your heart has stopped working or is about to break down. With treatment and careful attention, many people can manage their condition and still be active and energetic.
Heart failure is common, and the number of patients continues to grow. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 5 million Americans -- mostly seniors -- have the condition. Another 550,000 cases are diagnosed every year. Heart failure is more common among ethnic groups that are especially susceptible to heart disease, including people of African ancestry.
Most people with heart failure have weakness on the left side of their heart, which is the side that pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body. As the left side loses strength, blood and other fluids can back up into the lungs. If the failure occurs on the right side of the heart, the side that pumps blood to the lungs, fluids build up in the veins, especially in the legs and feet. Some people have weakness on both sides of their heart, which means fluids build up in both their lungs and veins.