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The human heart works like a pump.
It has four sections, or chambers, that receive blood that flows in from the body and the lungs.
When the heart muscle contracts, it moves blood through the four chambers and back out into the arteries.
In heart failure, the heart has lost some ability to pump blood.
This can happen after other conditions have damaged or weakened the heart.
As a result, the heart pumps out the blood with less force. When this happens, some organs don’t get the blood they need to stay healthy.
Blood returning to the heart through the veins backs up. This can cause fluid to build up in some parts of the body. The kidneys retain excess water and sodium.
Common places for fluid to build up are the lungs, legs, and arms.
This fluid buildup is the result of congestive heart failure.
Heart failure is serious, but there are many treatments that may help you feel better.
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