What causes heart failure?
Heart failure has many different causes. Sometimes the exact cause cannot be found. The most common causes of heart failure are listed below:
- Coronary artery disease (when the blood supply to the heart is partially or completely blocked); with or without a heart attack in the past
- Problems with the heart muscle itself (cardiomyopathy)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Problems with any of the heart valves
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- The use of toxic substances (such as alcohol or drug abuse)
- Congenital heart defect (a heart problem you were born with)
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
Source
Reducing Readmissions for Congestive Heart Failure by RE Hoyt, CAPT, MC, USN, and LS Bowling, LTCR, MC, USN (American Family Physician May 15, 2001, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010415/1593.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 11/10
Created: 09/00