Understanding heart failure and asynchrony
Heart failure is characterized by a reduced ability of the heart to pump blood efficiently to the body. In its most common form:
- The left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) becomes weakened
- Cardiac output decreases, causing shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling
This situation can be worsened by an electrical conduction disorder called left bundle branch block, which disrupts the synchronization of heart contractions:
- The two ventricles no longer contract in a coordinated way
- The heart loses efficiency and power
- Heart failure symptoms intensify
While medication can improve overall heart function, it does not correct this electrical and mechanical asynchrony.