Cardiac Failure Heart Failure The presence of an abnormality of cardiac function that is responsible for the failure of the heart to pump blood at a rate that is commensurate with the needs of the tissues or a state in which abnormally elevated filling pressures are required for the heart to do so. Heart failure is frequently related to a defect in myocardial contraction. Congestive Heart Failure CHF Sufficient HP:0001635 SCDO:0004877 Cardiac Insufficiency, Abnormal Cardiovascular System Physiology