Heart failure is the term used when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body effectively. It may develop quickly (acute heart failure), often as a result of a heart attack, or more gradually (chronic heart failure) due to a long-term disorder such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart valve or rhythm problems.
Heart failure may be classified as left- or right-sided, according to the part of the heart affected. In left-sided failure, fluid builds up in the lungs, causing breathlessness. In right-sided failure, fluid builds up in the liver, spleen, kidneys, and tissues under the skin, causing swelling, especially of the legs and ankles.
Treatment varies according to the type, severity, and cause of the heart failure. It may include medication, surgery, an implanted device that regulates heart rhythm, or a heart transplant