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What causes heart failure?
Several conditions can cause heart failure. Any condition that overworks and/or damages the heart
muscle can contribute to heart failure, including:
- High blood pressure (hypertension). Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against
blood vessel walls. Therefore, high blood pressure means the pressure in the arteries is
above the normal range.
- Valve disease. A heart valve that is not working properly and is either leaking or blocking
the normal flow of blood.
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Coronary artery disease. A disease of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart
muscle. This occurs when the normal lining of the arteries breaks down, the walls of the
arteries thicken and deposits of fat and plaque block the flow of blood through the arteries.
The arteries supplying blood to the heart become severely narrowed and the heart can no
longer respond to increased activity. Extra strain on the heart may result in chest pain
(angina pectoris) and other symptoms of heart disease.
- Heart attack. Occurs when a coronary artery becomes suddenly blocked, stopping the flow
of blood to the heart muscle and damaging it. Part of the heart muscle becomes cut
off from its supply of oxygen. A heart attack can damage the heart muscle, resulting in a
scarred area which does not function.
- Cardiomyopathy. A condition brought about by damage to the heart muscle from causes
other than artery or blood flow problems. Causes include infections, alcohol or drug abuse.
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