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Severe Heart Failure

Meaning

Severe Heart Failure, often classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV, is a debilitating clinical syndrome characterized by the heart’s inability to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s metabolic demands, even at rest or with minimal exertion. This advanced stage of cardiovascular dysfunction results in profound symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, significantly impacting quality of life and longevity. In endocrinology, the severe reduction in cardiac output can disrupt the entire neurohormonal axis, profoundly affecting the metabolism of thyroid hormones, growth hormone, and sex steroids, necessitating a highly cautious and integrated approach to any hormonal therapy.