India, Nov. 9 -- Heart failure, once considered a progressive and fatal disease with a five-year survival rate similar to many cancers, is now a potentially manageable and even reversible condition. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. The most common cause is damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack, which is responsible for about half of all cases. Other causes include viral infections, sepsis, chronic kidney disease, abnormal heart rhythms, and systemic illnesses such as sarcoidosis or amyloidosis. Rarely, it may result from pregnancy-related complications or congenital defects, which can sometimes cause sudden death in young adults. Long-standing high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity can also lead to heart failure, even when the heart's pumping function appears normal. Modern medicine has now transformed outcomes. Effective heart failure medications and advanced treatments like angioplasty (stents), bypass surgery, pacemakers, AICD, CRT-D, and radiofrequency ablation have significantly improved recovery. Open-heart surgery is much safer, and many patients can undergo valve replacement without surgery using TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) or MitraClip procedures. Many heart holes can also be closed without surgery through catheter-based devices. Early detection with echocardiography, stress testing, and coronary angiography allows timely intervention and better outcomes. Equally important are lifestyle changes - controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight, along with regular exercise, healthy eating, and stress reduction. These measures help reverse heart failure and prevent its progression. For advanced cases, heart transplantation remains a life-saving option. Greater public awareness and support for organ donation can help provide new hope for patients with end-stage heart failure....