Unlike a heart attack, which is considered an episodic event, HF is generally considered to be a chronic condition. This means that it won't go away and therefore requires ongoing management. A heart attack may be one of the causes of HF.

When you have HF, the pumping ability of the heart is decreased, which results in less blood returning to the heart. This, in turn, causes fluid to build up in the tissues, which results in swelling.

Canned food often contains high amounts of salt, which can cause the body to retain water and make some HF symptoms worse. For this reason, people with HF should try to stay away from foods high in salt.

Feeling short of breath, especially at night when lying down, is a common HF symptom. Since the heart's pumping ability is decreased when you have HF, blood that normally travels from the lungs to the heart can back up. This causes fluid to build up in the lung tissues, which results in shortness of breath.

While some people with HF may not be healthy enough for exercise, daily physical activity can be an important part of many HF treatment plans. If you have HF, talk to your doctor about what kinds of activities might be right for you.