Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body's metabolic demands. It may result from structural or functional cardiac abnormalities and is categorized by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) into:
- HFrEF (LVEF ≤40%)
- HFmrEF (LVEF 41–49%)
- HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%)
HF can be chronic or acute and is associated with a high risk of hospitalization, reduced quality of life, and mortality.
Types of Heart Failure
- HFrEF: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
- HFmrEF: Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction
- HFpEF: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
- Advanced HF: Refractory symptoms requiring mechanical circulatory support or transplantation
Symptoms of Heart Failure
- Ischemic heart disease
- Hypertension
- Cardiomyopathy (dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive)
- Valvular heart disease
- Arrhythmia (e.g., atrial fibrillation)
- Diabetes mellitus, CKD
- Alcohol, toxins, or drugs
- Genetic mutations