** Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern 1. heart failure doesn t means that heart has stopped working,it implies that heart s pumping power is weaker than normal causing the body to retain fluid [water] & salt and resulting pathology. 2. Since there is history of CABG and valve repair which means that heart muscle are/were weak thus check with a Cardiologist for physical examination who will determine the cause and severity of heart failure [like blood test, EKG, chest X-ray,cardiac catheterization,stress test] 3. As you are in Stage B [CABG/Valve repair]: thus usual protocol is: . exercise regularly,quit smoking,restrict sodium/fluids . treat high blood pressure/abnormal lipid level [if any] . all patient[s] should receive an ACE inhibitor or ARB II blocker 4. Patient with heart failure and presence of advanced symptoms after recieving optimum medical care should be evaluated to determine of the following available options: heart transplant, ventricular assist devices, surgery options, research therapies, continuous infusion of intravenous inotropic drugs and end-of-life (palliative or hospice) care