Congestive heart failure occurs with ongoing cardiac disease. Over time, the heart enlarges and the body can no longer compensate for the changes. Eventually, the heart can no longer pump (systolic) or fill (diastolic) adequately resulting in a back up of fluid into the body. This can be fluid in the lungs (as pictured here), around the lungs, in the belly, or even around the heart. Symptoms of congestive heart failure include exercise intolerance, difficulty breathing, weakness, restlessness, fainting (syncope), and even abdominal distennsion

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