systolic heart failure

Systolic heart failure is a condition in which the heart pumps with decreased strength and the pumping chambers become thin, large and floppy. Because blood cannot be pumped out efficiently, it backs up into organs, causing swelling in the body and congestion in the lungs. As the disease progresses, the heart is unable to pump enough blood for the body to meet its needs. This type of heart failure is caused by conditions such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, valvular heart disease and idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

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