Final answer:
Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump with sufficient force. Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, lack of exercise, and more. Researchers are studying new ways to increase the strength of cardiac muscle contractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump with sufficient force to transport oxygenated blood to all vital organs. It does not mean that the heart has stopped working but rather that the pumping action of the heart is impaired. This can lead to various health consequences such as kidney failure and other organ failure if left untreated.
Risk factors for heart failure include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood cholesterol, poor diet, depression, and excessive alcohol. Diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms, cardiac stress testing, and imaging tests can help with a proper diagnosis. Researchers have identified a potential new target for developing drugs to increase the strength of cardiac muscle contractions in patients with heart failure. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs that improve the pumping action of the heart.