What condition is defined as the heart's inability to pump enough blood to satisfy the needs of the body?

The condition described as the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs is known as heart failure. This condition can develop when the heart is unable to fill with enough blood or pump sufficient blood to the rest of the body, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. Heart failure does not refer to a total cessation of heart function, nor does it denote a specific heart rhythm problem.

The term encompasses a range of conditions that affect the heart's efficiency, making it a comprehensive label for this syndrome. While congestive heart failure is a specific type of heart failure characterized by fluid accumulation, heart failure as a broader term captures all aspects of the heart's diminished capability to function effectively. Other options such as cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation refer to acute and critical conditions where the heart stops or beats irregularly, respectively, and are distinct from the chronic condition represented by heart failure.