Which condition describes the heart muscle being compromised so it cannot pump blood efficiently enough for the body’s needs?
Heart failure
Heart failure is a complex chronic condition where the heart muscle has been compromised to such an extent that it loses its functional capacity to pump blood effectively throughout the circulatory system. The key defining characteristic is that the heart cannot meet the body's metabolic demands for oxygen and nutrients. This inefficiency can stem from various causes, including previous heart attacks or chronic hypertension. While cardiomyopathy involves changes to the muscle structure itself, and CAD involves blocked supply lines, heart failure describes the resulting functional state where systemic output is inadequate. Managing this involves continuous assessment, often tracking metrics like LVEF, and optimizing drug regimens to support the weakened pumping action.
