Cardiac Failure, Chronic Inflammation and Iron

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome characterised by the heart’s inability to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s metabolic demands. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is increasingly recognised as a systemic condition rather than a purely cardiac disorder. Chronic heart failure involves multiple interacting pathways, including neurohormonal activation, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammatory processes. Chronic inflammation plays a central role in the progression of heart failure. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha contribute to myocardial dysfunction, vascular changes, and worsening clinical outcomes. This inflammatory state creates a cycle that exacerbates disease progression.