{"id":3029,"date":"2019-01-18T05:33:54","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T05:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3029"},"modified":"2021-03-22T20:48:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T20:48:22","slug":"15-causes-of-congestive-heart-failure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-causes-of-congestive-heart-failure\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Causes of Congestive Heart Failure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Congestive heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood into the body to meet the metabolic needs. Congestive heart failure is a common syndrome that is characterized by several symptoms. Some of these symptoms include swelling of the legs, feet, and ankles, fatigue, and shortness of breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can occur on the left of the right side but is more common on the left side. Heart failure on the left side may be the result of dysfunction of heart contractions or heart relaxation. Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition and is characterized by the symptoms suddenly and abruptly becoming worse.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several things that may cause a person to experience congestive heart failure. It is important to know the causes of heart failure so that you can lead a healthier lifestyle and try to avoid this chronic condition. Here are 8 common causes of congestive heart failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Coronary Artery Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coronary artery disease<\/a> occurs when fatty plaque accumulates on the walls of the arteries in the heart. Most often it is simply referred to as heart disease. Cardiac ischemia occurs when the fatty plaque blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. If this lasts for a long time, the heart muscle starts to die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is called a heart attack. A person who is having a heart attack may experience chest pain and they may not. Heart attacks result in a scarred area of the heart that will not function properly. There is not a diagnostic test for coronary artery disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk factors for developing coronary artery disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, as well as simple genetics. The buildup of plaque in the arteries is one of the leading causes of congestive heart failure, which is the number one cause of death among people in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Hypertension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

High blood pressure<\/a> is another leading cause of congestive heart failure. High blood pressure is when the blood that is flowing through the arteries in the body are at elevated pressures. When the heart is contracting, blood pressure is at its highest. This is when the systolic blood pressure goes up. Between beats, the heart relaxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This causes the blood pressure to fall and makes the diastolic blood pressure rise. The systolic blood pressure is the number on top and the diastolic blood pressure is the number on the bottom when you get your blood pressure taken. Normal blood pressure is lower than 120\/80. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a person is under the age of 60, blood pressure is considered to be high at anything greater than 140\/90. If a person is over the age of 60, high blood pressure is anything greater than 150\/90. A person with consistently high blood pressure is at a greater risk of developing congestive heart failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Dilated Cardiomyopathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dilated cardiomyopathy <\/a>is a disease that affects the heart muscle. There are two upper chambers of the heart muscle. These are called the atria. The two bottom chambers of the heart are called the ventricles. Dilated cardiomyopathy is caused by ventricular enlargement. This is the third most common cause of heart failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also the most common reason for a person to need a heart transplant. Enlargement of the ventricles can cause an increase in cardiac dysfunction, which results in heart failure. Genetic inheritance, toxins, and infections are the three most common causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most commonly it will be recommended that a person with dilated cardiomyopathy will be told to limit water intake and lower the amount of sodium they consume. Controlling blood pressure is important for effectively treating dilated cardiomyopathy. In some cases, a blood thinner may be prescribed to help with blood flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Thyroid Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The thyroid <\/a>is located in the neck. It is below the collarbone and Adam\u2019s apple. The thyroid has 2 lobes that are connected by a bridge. The thyroid cannot typically be felt through touch. It is an endocrine gland and secretes hormones. The primary hormone secreted by the thyroid is thyroxine, which is responsible for controlling the metabolism of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyperthyroidism is caused by an excessive amount of thyroxine. This can cause weight loss, heat intolerance, nervousness, weight gain, slow heart rate, cold intolerance, as well as many other symptoms. When there is too much thyroxine being produced in the body it can cause a person to develop congestive heart failure because of the weight gain or loss. A person that has been diagnosed with thyroid disease needs to also be on alert for other health issues including diseases of the heart including congestive heart failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of congestive heart failure is diabetes. The reason for this is because people who suffer from diabetes, especially diabetes that is poorly controlled, will typically experience the blood becoming thicker. The presence of excess glucose is the cause of this thickening of the blood. When the blood is thicker the heart has more difficulty pumping the blood through to the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This strain on the heart can cause all types of damage and the damage and strain <\/a>that is put on the heart can lead to a person experiencing congestive heart failure. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes it is important to keep it under control as much as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating a diet that is low in carbohydrates is important. It is also important to take your insulin as prescribed and to check your sugar regularly. Controlling your diabetes can help decrease the risks of developing other health issues such as congestive heart failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Smoking Cigarettes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Everyone knows the dangers of smoking cigarettes<\/a>. There are numerous studies that link smoking tobacco problems to many different health issues such as lung cancer, angina, breathing disorders, and more. Smoking cigarettes can also cause a person to develop congestive heart failure. This is because when a person smokes it constricts the blood vessels. This includes the blood vessels that lead from the heart and to the heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can interfere with the ability of the heart to get enough oxygen and blood. This results in the pain that is associated with having congestive heart failure The good news is that as soon as a person stops smoking the blood vessels will start to immediately repair themselves. The blood vessels will almost always go back to their original capacity. If you are a smoker and experiencing heart issues, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to quit smoking as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Obesity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being overweight <\/a>can cause a person to have numerous health issues. One issue that people who are overweight may develop is congestive heart failure. When a person is overweight it makes the heart work harder in order to pump blood throughout the body. This strain on the heart can cause the heart to weaken. A weakened heart in combination with clogged arteries can cause a person to experience chest pain that is associated with congestive heart failure. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have the symptoms of congestive heart failure, eating a healthy diet and losing even just a little bit of weight can greatly reduce the risk of developing congestive heart failure. Moderate exercise is also important as it can help strengthen the heart. Discuss different heart-healthy diets with your doctor to determine what is best for your particular condition. Any symptom of congestive heart failure should be taken seriously as it can be life-threatening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. High Cholesterol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is important to have your cholesterol <\/a>checked at least once a year, especially if you are over the age of 40. A person who suffers from high cholesterol is at risk of developing congestive heart failure. The reason for this is because there are some types of cholesterol that clog the arteries of humans. In addition, this type of cholesterol will also cause the blood to become thicker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thicker blood is more difficult for the heart to pump through the body. For this reason, the hearts of people who suffer from high cholesterol have to work harder in order to distribute blood around the body. This can cause damage to the heart as it becomes overworked. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol it is important to follow the diet recommended by your doctor. Lowering the amount of bad cholesterol in your body can greatly reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
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