Heart failure is a condition where the heart muscle is no longer able to pump as much blood as the rest of your body needs to stay healthy. Over time, heart failure can cause a buildup of fluids that causes an appearance of puffiness, and it can also cause feelings of weakness and shortness of breath.

Heart failure can be caused by many conditions that cause damage to the heart muscle. Some of the most common causes include:

heart attack

coronary artery disease

high blood pressure (hypertension)

uncontrolled diabetes

congenital heart disease (since birth)

infection or inflammation of the heart

illnesses or conditions like rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, hyperthyroidism or lupus

use of certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs

alcohol or drug abuse

diseases or infections of the heart’s valves

irregular heartbeat

disease of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis)

lifestyle factors like high-sodium diets or smoking

Shortness of breath and fluid retention, including swollen feet and ankles, are the most common. Other symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, cough, frequent urination, weight gain, and tiring easily. In the early stages of heart failure, you may have few or no noticeable symptoms.

Treatment depends on the cause of heart failure, the symptoms you’re experiencing, how advanced your disease is (what stage of heart failure you’re experiencing) and your general health. Some options include:

medications to manage symptoms and prevent damage to the heart

lifestyle changes like limiting salt intake, increasing physical activity and losing excess weight

oxygen treatments to reduce shortness of breath and improve ability to perform physical activities

therapy or devices like pacemakers to treat heart rhythm issues.