Heart Failure

Course overview

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition affecting blood movement within the circulatory system of the body. At times, as with heart failure, the heart is unable to fill with enough blood so it can be pumped throughout the body to transport needed oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, if the heart can adequately fill with blood but the heart muscle is too weak to pump it out to the body, the body will not receive the needed oxygen and nutrients. Either way, there is a decreased transport of oxygen and nutrients to the body for health sustainability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 6 million adults in the United States that have heart failure. 50% of those individuals diagnosed with heart failure only have a 5-year life expectancy and 90% of those diagnosed with advanced-stage heart failure will die within a year. Those in the moderate stage of heart failure could live an average of 10 years with appropriate medical attention and lifestyle choices.