The term “heart failure” can be very alarming. While it does not
mean the heart has “failed” or stopped working, it is a serious
condition. Congestive heart failure (CHF) means the heart does
not pump as well as it should to meet the body’s oxygen demands,
often due to heart diseases such as cardiomyopathy or
cardiovascular disease. CHF can result from either a reduced
ability of the heart muscle to contract or from a mechanical
problem that limits the ability of the heart’s chambers to fill
with blood. When weakened, the heart is unable to keep up with
the demands placed upon it; blood returns to the heart faster
than it can be pumped out so that it gets backed up or
congested—hence the name of the disorder. CHF occurs most
frequently in those over age 60 and is the leading cause of
hospitalization and death in that age group. In over 50 percent
of cases, sudden death occurs due to a cardiac arrhythmia, or
irregular heartbeat. Unfortunately, antiarrhythmic medications
may not be effective in controlling arrh