A 58-year-old man comes to the cardiology clinic because of a 6-month history of progressively worsening shortness of breath when climbing stairs and walking uphill. He now needs to use three pillows to sleep comfortably at night. Two years ago, he had a heart attack that affected the front wall of his heart and was treated with a stent. He has hypertension and smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years but quit after his heart attack. His current medications include aspirin, atorvastatin, metoprolol, and lisinopril. His temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 88/min, respirations are 18/min, and blood pressure is 128/78 mm Hg. Physical examination shows jugular venous distension to the angle of the jaw at 45 degrees. Crackles are heard at both lung bases. The point of maximal impulse is displaced to the left of the midclavicular line. There is 2+ pitting edema extending to the mid-shin bilaterally. Echocardiography shows a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30%, increased left ventricular chamber size, and thinned ventricular walls.
Which of the following best describes the underlying cardiac pathophysiology in this patient?