What does the term "systolic dysfunction" describe?

Systolic dysfunction refers specifically to the heart's inability to contract effectively and pump blood out to the body efficiently during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. This condition often arises from conditions such as ischemic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, or hypertension, which can weaken the heart muscle and impair its ability to generate enough pressure to effectively circulate blood.

In contrast, inadequate filling of the heart is described by diastolic dysfunction, where the heart struggles to fill properly during the diastolic phase. Conditions characterized by an excessive heart rate do not inherently relate to the heart's contraction capabilities and instead focus on timing. Increased ventricular volume may be indicative of several cardiac issues, including heart failure, but it does not directly define systolic dysfunction itself. Thus, the emphasis on the inability to contract effectively is what distinguishes systolic dysfunction as a unique type of heart failure.