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Condition5 min read

Heart failure

HFCHF

Organ or systemHeartOrgan
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Heart failure means the heart cannot pump blood well enough for the body's needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped. It causes breathlessness, tiredness and swelling, and is managed with medicines, devices and lifestyle.

It often develops gradually after conditions such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, and it may occur suddenly after a heart attack or infection. There is currently no cure according to the NHS, but treatment eases symptoms and improves quality of life.

Tests include blood and urine tests, an ECG, a chest X-ray, an echo and MRI, and a BNP test is used to help. Management includes medicines (diuretics, vasodilators, beta blockers), devices (a pacemaker, an implantable defibrillator), surgery (repair of arteries or valves, ventricular assist devices, heart transplant) and cardiac rehabilitation.

In one minute12

What is it?
A condition in which the heart does not pump blood efficiently enough for the body's needs.
Who is usually affected?
Often develops after high blood pressure, coronary artery disease or a heart attack.
Acute or chronic?
Chronic; there is currently no cure according to the NHS, but treatment eases symptoms.
Main symptoms
Shortness of breath, tiredness, swelling, sudden weight gain and night cough.
Red flags?
Yes: severe difficulty breathing, blue discolouration or loss of consciousness.
Preventable?
Control the underlying diseases, healthy nutrition, activity and quitting smoking.

What is it?

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood properly to meet the body's needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped or will stop.

There is currently no cure according to the NHS.

Sources12

Causes

It may occur suddenly after a heart attack or infection, or develop from long-term strain due to high blood pressure or coronary artery disease.

Other causes: valve diseases, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, kidney diseases, anaemia, iron overload disease (haemochromatosis), and thyroid disorders. MedlinePlus adds diabetes, obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Sources12

Symptoms

Shortness of breath in daily activities, weakness and tiredness, dizziness, swelling of the limbs or abdomen, sudden weight gain, night cough, and pink frothy phlegm.

MedlinePlus also lists difficulty sleeping lying down and frequent urination.

Sources12

How is it diagnosed?

Blood and urine tests, an ECG, a chest X-ray, an echo, MRI, and breathing tests. A BNP test helps detect heart failure.

Sources12

Treatment

The treatment categories usually used are listed here; this is not a prescription. The doctor chooses the plan according to each person's condition; do not change any medicine or dose without a specialist.

Medicines (diuretics, vasodilators, beta blockers), implantable devices (a pacemaker, a defibrillator), surgery (artery repair, valve replacement, left ventricular assist devices, heart transplant), and rehabilitation with exercise and nutritional counselling. No doses are given.

MedlinePlus adds restricting sodium and fluids when needed, quitting smoking, and managing stress.

Strength of evidence: Moderate evidence

Why this rating: Based on guidance pages from major health bodies (WHO, NHS and NIH) that have not been systematically appraised here; it will be reviewed with a medical reviewer before the grade is raised.

The true effect is probably close to the estimate, but new research could change it.

Sources12

Prevention

Control the underlying diseases, healthy food, physical activity, and avoid smoking.

Strength of evidence: Moderate evidence

Why this rating: Based on guidance pages from major health bodies (WHO, NHS and NIH) that have not been systematically appraised here; it will be reviewed with a medical reviewer before the grade is raised.

The true effect is probably close to the estimate, but new research could change it.

Sources2

Living with it

Monitor symptoms continuously and take part in cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

Sources21

When do you need urgent help?

Call emergency services now 998

  • Severe difficulty breathing, or pallor/blue discolouration of the skin, or loss of consciousness, or chest pain.12

Get urgent care today

  • Shortness of breath when lying down, or pink frothy phlegm, or sudden weight gain.1

See your doctor within days

  • Gradual tiredness or swelling or shortness of breath on exertion without assessment.1

Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.

Common questions

Does heart failure mean the heart will stop?

No. The NHS stresses that the term does not mean the heart has stopped or will stop working, but that it is not pumping blood as it should.1

Questions for your doctor

  • What is the cause of my heart failure?
  • What are my echo result and ejection fraction?
  • What fluid and salt limits suit me?
  • How do I track my weight and symptoms daily and when do I call the doctor?
  • Do I need an implantable device or a rehabilitation programme?

References

  1. 1 Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-05
  2. 2
    MedlinePlus / NLM. Heart Failure. medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html
    Health agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-05

Review status: Edited content · Last updated:

Change log
  • — Page created.

Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.

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Emergency numbers

This platform is educational and must not be relied on in emergencies. If a situation is serious, call emergency services now.

UAE numbers (Police 999, Ambulance 998, Civil Defence 997) are from the official UAE Government portal, checked on 7 October 2026: u.ae. For other countries, confirm the official number where you are; numbers can vary by region.

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