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HFpEF

Meaning

HFpEF, an acronym for Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction, is a complex clinical syndrome where the heart muscle contracts normally, but the left ventricle is stiff and unable to relax fully during diastole. This impaired relaxation prevents the ventricle from filling adequately with blood, causing a buildup of pressure and fluid congestion in the lungs and body. It represents a major form of heart failure, often strongly associated with chronic conditions like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, all of which have significant hormonal and metabolic underpinnings.