What Causes Heart Failure?

Heart failure is caused by other diseases or conditions that damage or overwork the heart muscle. Over time, the heart muscle weakens and is not able to pump blood as well as it should.

The leading causes of heart failure are:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes

CAD, including angina (AN-ji-na or an-JI-na) and heart attack is the most common underlying cause of heart failure. People who have a heart attack are at high risk of developing heart failure.

Most people with heart failure also have high blood pressure, and about one in three has diabetes.

Other Causes of Heart Failure

Other heart diseases and conditions that can lead to heart failure are:

• Cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle)
• Diseases of the heart valves
• Abnormal heartbeats or arrhythmias (a-RITH-me-as)
• Congenital heart defects (a heart defect or problem you are born with)

Other conditions that may injure the heart muscle and lead to heart failure include:

• Treatments for cancer, such as radiation and certain chemotherapy drugs
• Thyroid disorders (having either too much or too little thyroid hormone in the body)
• Alcohol abuse
• HIV/AIDS
• Cocaine and other illegal drug use