Congestive Heart Failure Health Center

Close to 5.7 million people in the United States suffer from some congestive heart failure (CHF), and 300,000 of those patients will ultimately succumb to the condition. There are many ways heart failure can be caused, but the condition results in the heart not being able to pump enough blood to supply the needs of the body. When the heart is too weak to pump blood effectively, it is called systolic heart failure. When the heart muscle is too stiff or rigid to properly fill up with blood, it is called diastolic heart failure. Whenever this backup occurs, the non-moving blood causes fluid to fill up in the lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal tract, and causes these organs to fail.

Review Date: 
April 19, 2012
Last Updated:
June 30, 2013
Source:
dailyrx.com