02/10/2026
February is Heart Month, and it’s an important time to focus on heart health and share clear, reliable information. One topic that often causes confusion or concern is heart failure.
Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as the body needs.
There are several ways heart failure can present. In some people, the heart muscle becomes weaker and cannot pump effectively. In others, the heart becomes stiff and cannot fill properly. Heart failure can also involve different sides of the heart and may develop gradually or more suddenly. While the causes and patterns may differ, the goal of care is the same: to reduce symptoms, protect the heart, and help patients feel better and stay active.
Common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs or abdomen, rapid weight gain from fluid retention, and changes in exercise tolerance. Because these symptoms often develop slowly, they are sometimes mistaken for normal aging or simply “slowing down.”
The encouraging news is that heart failure is very treatable. With early evaluation, appropriate testing, and a personalized treatment plan, many patients experience meaningful improvement in both symptoms and quality of life.
If something doesn’t feel quite right, listen to your body and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Your heart deserves attention and care.
