What is heart failure, and what are its symptoms?

Heart failure generally refers to the condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood is impaired. It is a progressive cardiovascular disease that affects the heart muscle's pumping function. Common symptoms include chest pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The specific symptoms experienced by patients may vary depending on the stage of the disease. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs. The causes of this condition are complex and varied, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others. In the early stages, patients often do not exhibit significant signs or symptoms. As the disease progresses, individuals may gradually develop adverse symptoms such as shortness of breath during physical activity or when lying down, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chronic chest pain, and swelling in the limbs.

Heart failure is an irreversible cardiovascular condition. Patients experiencing the aforementioned symptoms should seek thorough medical evaluation at a hospital as early as possible and strictly follow medical advice for standardized treatment to prevent further deterioration of the condition.