What is heart failure?

Heart failure is defined as a condition in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's requirements for oxygen and nutrients. This can occur due to various underlying issues, such as weakened heart muscle (systolic heart failure) or stiffening of the heart muscle (diastolic heart failure), both of which prevent the heart from functioning effectively.

The impact of heart failure can be significant, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation in various parts of the body. Management of heart failure often involves lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes medical procedures to improve heart function and alleviate symptoms.

The other options describe different aspects of cardiovascular health but do not accurately define heart failure. For instance, a temporary pause in heart activity is more aligned with arrhythmias rather than heart failure, while the assertion that heart disease affects only arteries is misleading, as heart failure can result from various cardiac issues, including conditions that affect the heart muscle itself. Lastly, heart valve malfunctions can lead to heart failure, but they represent a specific cause rather than encompassing the broad definition of heart failure as a condition.