Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump blood through the body as it should. Heart failure has no cure, but it can be managed with medications, diet and other lifestyle changes.

According to the American Heart Association, heart failure can involve the heart's left side, right side or both sides. However, it usually affects the left side first.

Each side is made up of two chambers, the atrium, or upper chamber; and the ventricle, or lower chamber. The atrium receives blood into the heart, and the ventricle pumps it where it needs to go. Heart failure occurs when any of these chambers lose their ability to keep up with the amount of blood flow.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common form of heart failure that results from swelling and fluid retention in the legs, ankles, abdomen, and the lungs.

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