What happens in the body with congestive heart failure?

Fluid buildup: In a healthy patient, the heart and kidneys work together to maintain the appropriate amount of salt and water in the body. In the patient with congestive heart failure, this equilibrium is upset. Salt and water accumulate resulting in shortness of breath, swollen legs, and inability to exercise. This can be the result of problems with the kidney or the heart.

Heart pump is weak.: Heart failure occurs with pump failure for whatevere reason. When the heart fails to pump enough blood out on the left side it is systolic dysfunction and the ejection fraction is less than 40%. When the heart muscle is stiff they call this diastolic dysfunction because it does not fill properly. With pump failure, oncotic pressue increases in the vascular system forcing fluid out- lung/feet.