Heart failure causes shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, and swelling in the ankles, feet and legs. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working or is about to stop working, but it is a serious condition that requires treatment. Lifestyle changes – along with medications and ongoing care – are key to managing heart failure.

See lifestyle changes that can help manage heart failure.

Learn about medications for heart failure.

For more information, see “Heart Health,” an Age Page from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at NIH.

The information on Heart Failure was developed for NIHSeniorHealth by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at NIH.

Contracted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Qsource works with healthcare providers and patients to ignite powerful change by improving cardiac health and preventing hospital readmissions caused by heart failure.