Heart failure is a condition in which the heart doesn't work like it's supposed to. The heart muscle has become weaker than normal and doesn’t pump like it's supposed to. The heart is unable to pump enough blood and oxygen to meet the body's needs. As the heart strains to do its' work, the heart muscle fibers stretch and the chambers of the heart become enlarged. This further weakens the heart's ability to perform.
Last Reviewed: Jan 28, 2010