There are 2 types of heart failure: Systolic dysfunction – a heart failure wherein the heart muscle becomes weak and the heart enlarges. When the heart muscle is weak, it is not able to pump with enough force during a heartbeat. Therefore, less blood is pumped from the heart. Diastolic dysfunction – a heart failure wherein the heart muscle becomes stiff. When the muscle is stiff, it is not able to relax between heartbeats. The ventricles are unable to fill with enough blood. Therefore, less blood is pumped from the heart. A person may have only one type or both types of heart failure.