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A healthy heart, as seen here,

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beats approximately 
60 to 100 times a minute,

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providing oxygen-rich blood 
to the rest of the body.

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The lower left chamber of the heart, 
called the left ventricle,

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is the main pumping chamber.

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There are many different 
conditions that can lead

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to Congestive Heart Failure, 
including a prior heart attack,

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high blood pressure, 
and Coronary Artery Disease.

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Any of these can prevent the heart
from efficiently

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pumping blood 
to the rest of the body.

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As a result, the heart may beat faster

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and the ventricle may increase in size, 
becoming an even less effective pump.

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When the kidneys sense 
the reduced blood flow,

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they attempt to compensate 
by retaining more water and salt.

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This excess fluid retention 
often causes congestion in the tissues

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and results in swelling 
and in increased strain

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on an already weak heart.

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The progressive effect of the heart 
failing to properly circulate blood

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and congestion due to fluid retention,

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is known as Congestive Heart Failure.