What condition occurs when the heart cannot pump effectively?

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump effectively to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. This condition can result from various underlying issues, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or previous heart damage. When the heart's pumping ability is compromised, it can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention.

While myocardial infarction refers to a heart attack, where the heart muscle is damaged due to lack of blood flow, it is not a chronic condition characterized by ineffective pumping. Arrhythmia involves irregular heartbeats that may affect the heart's ability to pump effectively but does not inherently describe a state where the heart is unable to pump blood overall. Angina pectoris is chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart, which does not equate to the heart's overall pumping efficacy. Thus, heart failure is the condition directly associated with the heart's inability to pump effectively.