Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic, progressive condition where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently to meet the body's needs. This leads to a buildup of fluid in various parts of the body such as the lungs, feet, legs, and other organs, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling (edema), and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
. CHF occurs because the heart muscle becomes weakened or stiff and cannot fill or pump blood properly. It can affect the left side, right side, or both sides of the heart. The most common cause is coronary artery disease, but it can also result from high blood pressure, heart attacks, infections, valve diseases, or other conditions that damage the heart muscle
. There are different stages and classes of CHF, ranging from high risk without symptoms to advanced heart failure with severe symptoms even at rest. While there is no cure, treatments including medications, lifestyle changes, surgery, or transplantation can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life
. In summary, CHF is a syndrome of heart dysfunction leading to inadequate blood circulation and fluid congestion in the body, requiring medical management to slow progression and alleviate symptoms
