What condition is characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively?

The condition characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively is congestive heart failure (CHF). In CHF, the heart's pumping ability is weakened, leading to a reduced cardiac output. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.

In this condition, the heart may be unable to fill adequately (diastolic dysfunction) or may not be able to contract forcefully enough to meet the body's demands (systolic dysfunction). As a consequence, blood may back up in the veins and cause congestion in the lungs and other parts of the body.

Understanding CHF also involves recognizing its progression and potential causes, including hypertension, which can contribute to the development of heart failure by causing the heart muscle to thicken and stiffen. However, CHF is specifically defined by the impaired ability to pump blood effectively. Atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease are related to but do not define the specific condition of heart failure itself.