Meaning of CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

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WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[n]  inability to pump enough blood to avoid congestion in the tissues
	See Also:		coronary failure, heart failure
Medical Dictionary
	Definition:		Weakness of the heart muscle that leads to a buildup of fluid in body tissues. Condition caused when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body; also characterized by fluid collecting in various parts of the body (such as legs, lungs, liver).
Biology Dictionary
	Definition:		Heart failure caused by loss of pumping power by the heart, resulting in fluids collecting in the body. Congestive heart failure often develops gradually over several years, although it also can happen suddenly. It can be treated by drugs and, in some cases, by surgery. Congestive heart failure is the disorder in which the output of the heart (cardiac output) cannot meet the circulatory and metabolic needs of the body. It can be caused by atherosclerotic heart disease (myocardial ischemia or infarction), congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, systemic hypertension and valvular heart diseases. The three cardinal signs of congestive heart failure are: cardiomegaly (enlarged heart) tachypnea (rapid breathing; occurs in the case of left side failure) hepatomegaly (enlarged liver; occurs in the case of right side failure)