A genetic condition,hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a fairly common cause as well.
Cardiovascular
Of the causes of heart failure, the most significant ones are preceding heart conditions.
Some often occur together and may cause one another.
© Verywell, 2018
For example, hypertension contributes to coronary artery disease, which leads to heart attacks.
CAD describes a process by which the inside of the coronary arteries become narrow, stiff, and irregular.
These unhealthy blood vessels become prone to the accumulation of cholesterol, debris, and blood.
Eventually, they can become obstructed by blood clots, causing a heart attack.
This makes the heart pumping function less effective, leading to heart failure.
Myocardial infarction is commonly called a “heart attack.”
This leads to heart failure over time.
Diastolic heart failure:Indiastolic heart failure, cardiac function deteriorates because the heart muscle becomes stiff.
Blood that is unable to fill the heart “backs up” into the lungs, producingpulmonary congestion.
Without treatment, young children with congenital heart conditions may develop heart failure within a few years.
Diabetes:People withdiabeteshave a much higher incidence of heart failure.
Diabetes can cause dysregulation of several cellular mechanisms in the heart leading to cardiomyopathy.
Unlike many of the other risk factors, chemotherapy can cause heart failure quickly.
Childbirth:Peripartum cardiomyopathyis a jot down of heart failure associated with childbirth.
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a condition that is characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.
The exact mechanism for this link is not completely clear.
Genetic
Understanding the genetic underpinnings of heart failure is growing.
And, as mentioned, childhood heart conditions of a genetic nature can also lead to heart failure.
Around 100 genes have been identified as being associated with heart failure.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This genetic condition is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle.
It can begin to produce symptoms during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.
Some people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have an increased risk of sudden death.
Drugs, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, have alsobeen linked to heart failure.
Cardiac and respiratory fitness: This describes the ability of the heart and lungs to function efficiently.
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