Which condition describes the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, often leading to edema and shortness of breath?

Which condition describes the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, often leading to edema and shortness of breath?

• A. Hypothermia
• B. Congestive heart failure
• C. Myocardial infarction
• D. Atrial fibrillation

Answer: (B)

When the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, the result is congestive heart failure. In this condition, reduced cardiac output triggers fluid-retention and backup of blood in the venous system. That buildup causes edema—often in the legs or abdomen—and, if fluid backs up into the lungs, shortness of breath. The problem stems from a weakened heart, valve issues, long-standing high blood pressure, or prior heart damage, all of which impair the heart’s ability to circulate blood effectively. Other conditions describe different problems: a heart attack is a blockage that damages heart muscle; an irregular heartbeat like atrial fibrillation is a rhythm issue that can weaken pumping but isn’t defined by edema and breathlessness; hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature, not about the heart’s pumping capacity.

When the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, the result is congestive heart failure. In this condition, reduced cardiac output triggers fluid-retention and backup of blood in the venous system. That buildup causes edema—often in the legs or abdomen—and, if fluid backs up into the lungs, shortness of breath. The problem stems from a weakened heart, valve issues, long-standing high blood pressure, or prior heart damage, all of which impair the heart’s ability to circulate blood effectively.

Other conditions describe different problems: a heart attack is a blockage that damages heart muscle; an irregular heartbeat like atrial fibrillation is a rhythm issue that can weaken pumping but isn’t defined by edema and breathlessness; hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature, not about the heart’s pumping capacity.