Problem: Reply to your peer's post below in 100-150 words and include one reference with the last 5 years.
Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the metabolic demands of the body. In short, the term "describes a heart that cannot keep up with its workload" (American Heart Association, 2025). In this condition, the ventricles of the heart either fail to fill with or pump blood properly. Heart failure can primarily be broken down into three categories including right sided heart failure, left sided heart failure and congestive heart failure. In right sided heart failure, dysfunction of the right ventricle occurs, causing blood to pool in the body and producing symptoms such as "build-up of fluid in the legs, or less commonly in the genital area, organs or the abdomen (belly)" (Informed Health, 2023). In left sided heart failure, dysfunction of the left ventricle occurs and causes blood to pool in the lungs, producing "shortness of breath, trouble breathing or coughing - especially during physical exertion" ( ). Congestive heart failure describes dysfunction of both the right and left ventricle which produces symptoms of both types of heart failure. Prevention of heart failure is very important. There are many interventions aimed to prevent heart failure including the cessation of smoking, diet, exercise and management of other cardiovascular health conditions (Johns Hopkins Medicine, n.d.). This all begins with patient education, acknowledgement and understanding. Once heart failure occurs it can not be cured, but there are many options for treating symptoms and improving health status- medications such as beta blockers and diuretics, supplemental oxygen therapy, monitoring intake and output, etc. Need Assignment Help?
References:
American Heart Association. (2025, May 20). What is Heart Failure?. Heart.
Informed Health. (2023, November 28). Heart failure: Learn More - Types of heart failure. IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care).
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Congestive Heart Failure: Prevention, Treatment and Research.