Key Points

• Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can't pump blood the way it should. In some cases, the heart can't fill with enough blood. In other cases, the heart can't send blood to the rest of the body with enough force. Some people have both problems.
• "Heart failure" doesn't mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. However, it's a serious condition that requires medical care.
• The leading causes of heart failure are diseases that damage the heart. These include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Heart failure develops over time as the pumping action of the heart grows weaker.
• Heart failure is a common condition. About 5 million people in the United States have heart failure, and it results in about 300,000 deaths each year. Heart failure is more common in people who are 65 or older, African American, or overweight or obese. Men have a higher rate of heart failure than women.
• Common signs and symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fatigue (feeling tired), and swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and, rarely, the veins in the neck. All of these symptoms are due to fluid buildup in your body.
• Your doctor will diagnose heart failure based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and tests. He or she must rule out other causes for symptoms and find out whether you have a disease or condition that's causing heart failure. He or she also will check whether your heart is damaged and how well it pumps blood.
• Heart failure treatment may include lifestyle measures, medicines, ongoing care, and using a medical device or having surgery. The sooner you start treatment, the better off you're likely to be.
• You can take steps to prevent heart failure by having a healthy lifestyle, preventing and treating conditions that can lead to heart failure, and taking medicines as your doctor prescribes.
• Heart failure can't be cured. You will likely need to take medicine and follow a treatment plan for the rest of your life. Despite treatment, your symptoms may get worse over time. Following your treatment plan, taking steps to prevent heart failure from getting worse, and planning ahead can help you stay healthier longer.
• Researchers are finding and testing new treatments for heart failure. These treatments offer hope for the future. Talk to your doctor about whether research studies may benefit you.