The heart muscle ( and the heart is a muscle) has become unable to correctly or adequately pump blood hence the the term heart failure (HF)lso known as cardiac failure (CF); doctors and cardiologists often refer to the condition with either or both terms. There are two stages to heart failure, namely HF, which is the norm or first stage and chronic heart/cardiac failure (CHF/CCF), the later, as the name implies, being more serious. A sufferer may, but not always, flip-flop between the two.
Either condition usually causes shortness of breath and/or fatigue due to a build up of fluid in the lungs and again and/or swelling of the body, especially the legs and/or feet (usually but not always or only) on the left side of the body.
I was diagnosed with CCF and a faulty Aortic Valve about 16 years ago. I have flip-flopped between CF AND CCF ever since with CCF being the norm.
My condition was worsened as I have what is called a blocked branch - one or two of the three nerves controlling the beating of the heart become damaged or ineffective. In my case, two of the nerves were damaged during my open heart surgery to replace my Aortic Valve.
I am on a few medications for the CF/CCF, one of which is Entreso. Amongst other comorbidities like high blood pressure, I am on the maximum dosage for sufferers of hypertension. The only option available if the Entresto stops working is a heart transplant, the latter on my case not being an option due to my comorbidities and what has happened previously.
Two of my other comorbidities are my heart frequently stops beating (I have already had 3 pulesless arrests where my heart stopped beating for between 1 1/2 minutes and 3 minutes) and I suffer from atrial fibralation where the heart flutters so does not pump blood.
To control these I have a 3 lead pace maker to prevent the heart from stopping beating and stop the fibralation. The pacemaker is a reactive device not proactive so can only fix the symptom but not the cause.
If you have CF/CCF, restrict fluid intake (I try limit mine to about 1 litre a day), plus coffee, alcohol, salt (especially processed foods like ham, salami, bologna, crisps) and fatty or fried foods.
Unfortunately their is no cure for CF/CCF but it can be controlled by medication, diet and light excercise - our family take our 2 dogs for a walk every morning and evening (weather permitting) for between 1/2 an hour to 1 1/2 hours.
Every day I wake up, I give thanks to God for giving me another day and if I have learned anything in the last 20 or so years it is not to dwell on what is wrong with my world but on what is right, like family and friends and to take each day as it comes.

I don't know who told you that your condition wasn't serious but your condition is in fact, very serious. Any time your heart in malfunctioning, it's serious. It sounds like you have diastolic heart failure, as am I. I am presently on Entresto and Jardiance to help with my Diastolic Heart Failure. And, of course, this diagnosis can lead to water retention and I also take Torsemide for that. Take Care 🙂

You're so right! Doctors don't know everything. Only God does.
It's been at least 4 years since I was diagnosed and my health just keeps improving by the grace of God.

Great progress, how much longer is grade 1 diastolic dysfunction ? Doctors really can't predict your life expectancy, only God, even though they may be close to the prediction or not. Enjoy each day,😎

I,ve been so weak and dizzy. I,m now 65. Breathing is laboured, I have passed out. I,m still on an urgent list to see a cardiologist.
I,m tired, sleep alot, depressed. A Fib on the right and left top of the heart, a tear from 2 heart attacks and I,ve had 1 mini stroke, CAD,I have felt half here and half lost. Very lonely feeling.
Dr's have made mistakes .....causing worse breathing prob and lots of swelling.
My husband is angry and frustrated with how I,m doing. I still do what I can, but my back stabs me.....have to sit. I feel like I,ve aged 20 yrs since Aug 2022.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I have to trust God is in control.
Wishing you the very best! Linda from BC Canada