heart failure means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. with heart failure blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate and pressure in the heart increases. as a result the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. the chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body. in time the heart muscle walls weaken and are unable to pump as strongly. as a result the kidneys often respond by causing the body to retain fluid (water) and sodium. if fluid builds up in the arms legs ankles feet lungs or other organs the body becomes congested. congestive heart failure is the term used to describe this condition.
what is heart failure?