WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE?
The causes of heart failure vary from one person to another. The causes have one thing in common – they damage the heart muscle so that it no longer pumps as well as it should. Nearly any form of heart or blood vessel disease can lead to heart failure. Here are some of the factors that cause heart failure: • coronary artery disease (CAD) puts you at higher risk for heart attack. If you have had a heart attack, you are five times more likely to develop heart failure. • hypertension • Diabetes • Aging • Alcohol abuse • Viral infections • Heart Valve Disorders • Thyroid disorders An enlarged heart itself can have a number of causes: • Alcohol or drug abuse • High blood pressure makes you twice as likely to develop heart failure • Heart valve disease • A viral infection in the heart • A congenital heart problem (present at birth) In addition, all of the risk factors that you can control (such as eating habits, exercise, and smoking) make a difference in how likely you are to have a heart c
