Heart failure is confirmed when the physician links the symptoms with a heart condition. These conditions include:

• Myocardial systolic dysfunction: The heart fails to contract properly
• Severe valvular disease: The valves fail to operate properly
• Pericardial disease: The pericardial sac surrounding the heart becomes rigid or fills with fluid, affecting heart function
• Congenital heart disease: A defect present from birth may cause dysfunction