Why called congestive heart failure

The right atrium takes in oxygen-depleted blood from the rest of the body and sends it through the right ventricle where the blood becomes oxygenated in the lungs. Oxygen-rich blood travels from the lungs to the left atrium, then on to the left ventricle, which pumps it to the rest of the body.

For the heart to function properly, the four chambers must beat in an organized way. Watch an animation of heart failure. Heart failure continues and worsens until these compensating processes no longer work. It's also a good reason to have a regular checkup with your doctor.

However, it usually affects the left side first. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers.

See our editorial policies and staff. Heart Failure. What is Heart Failure? Causes and Risks. Warning Signs of Heart Failure. Enlarged heart, in heart failure As the heart weakens, as it can with heart failure, it begins to enlarge, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood on to the rest of the body.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Heart failure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Oct. Ferri FF. Heart failure. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Colucci WS. Determining the etiology and severity of heart failure or cardiomyopathy.

Evaluation of the patient with suspected heart failure. Heart failure HF. Merck Manual Professional Version. Vasan RS, et al. Epidemiology and causes of heart failure. Goldman L, et al. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Warning signs of heart failure. American Heart Association. Rakel D, ed. In: Integrative Medicine. Borlaug BA, et al. Treatment and prognosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Allen L. Palliative care for patients with advanced heart failure: Decision support, symptom management, and psychosocial assistance. The dying patient. Brown AY. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Mancini D. Heart transplantation in adults: Indications and contraindications. Mayo Clinic; Armstrong PW, et al. Vericiguat in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. The New England Journal of Medicine. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of the oral soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. See, Play and Learn No links available. Resources Reference Desk Find an Expert. The weakening of the heart's pumping ability causes Blood and fluid to back up into the lungs The buildup of fluid in the feet, ankles and legs - called edema Tiredness and shortness of breath Common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease , high blood pressure and diabetes.

Start Here. Diagnosis and Tests. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Prevention and Risk Factors. Treatments and Therapies. Living With.