What type of heart failure is characterized by the heart's inability to pump effectively during systole?

Systolic heart failure is defined by the heart's impaired ability to pump blood effectively during the systolic phase, which is when the heart muscle contracts to eject blood into the circulation. This condition is primarily characterized by a decrease in the heart's ejection fraction, meaning the volume of blood that the heart pumps out with each contraction is reduced.

In systolic heart failure, a weakened heart muscle cannot generate sufficient force to maintain adequate blood flow, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention. This form of heart failure is often associated with conditions such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy.

Understanding the nature of systolic heart failure helps to distinguish it from other forms. For example, diastolic heart failure, on the other hand, involves issues with the heart's ability to fill properly during diastole, not its pumping ability during systole. Congestive heart failure is a broader term that can encompass both systolic and diastolic heart failure, referring to the heart's overall inability to function effectively. Acute heart failure pertains to a sudden onset, which can also be either systolic or diastolic in nature.

By recognizing these distinctions, the characteristic