HOSA Physical Therapy Assessment 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The condition characterized by the heart muscle's inability to effectively move blood volume is congestive heart failure (CHF). This condition occurs when the heart becomes weak and cannot pump blood sufficiently to meet the body's needs. In CHF, the heart can be enlarged or thickened, which leads to fluid accumulation in the lungs and other parts of the body, resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and ankles.

Congestive heart failure can arise from various underlying causes, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or previous heart attacks, all of which can damage the heart muscle over time. The inefficiency in blood movement means that organs and tissues do not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients, contributing to the progressive nature of the condition.

While coronary artery disease affects the blood vessels supplying the heart, cystic fibrosis primarily affects the lungs and digestive system, and arteritis is inflammation of the blood vessels, these conditions do not directly involve the heart's pumping ability like CHF does. Thus, congestive heart failure is the most fitting description for the symptoms and mechanics outlined in the question.