What condition results from the heart's inability to effectively pump blood, leading to fluid buildup?

Congestive heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart's muscle is unable to pump blood effectively, which can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and other parts of the body. This ineffective pumping action means that the heart cannot meet the body's demands for blood and oxygen, which can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and abdomen.

The underlying mechanisms might involve either a weakening of the heart muscle due to damage (such as from a heart attack) or a stiffening of the heart which can prevent it from filling with enough blood. In both scenarios, the result is a failure to maintain proper circulation and fluid balance, leading to congestion in various body tissues.

Understanding this condition helps clarify its distinction from other heart issues. For instance, a heart attack refers to a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, damaging it and potentially resulting in heart failure, but it is not synonymous with congestive heart failure itself. Similarly, aortic stenosis involves the narrowing of the aortic valve, which can complicate heart function but is a specific structural issue rather than a broad term for the heart's pumping ability. Arrhythmia represents irregular heartbeats that may or may not affect heart efficiency, yet