Causes of HF
Heart failure usually happens when another problem makes the heart muscle weak. HF gradually worsens over time. HF can be caused by the following:
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is a buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits in the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood. As these arteries become clogged, less blood reaches the heart muscle. Some damage of the heart muscle can occur. When there is damage to large areas of the heart, it cannot pump all the blood that your body needs. Heart failure can be the result.
High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force pushing blood through the blood vessels. When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder. This causes the heart’s muscle walls to thicken and some of the chambers may enlarge. These changes put extra strain on the heart, and the heart muscle eventually stretches and weakens.
Abnormal Heart Valves
Abnormal heart valves are those that do not open or close completely during each heartbeat. The problem can be present at birth or an infection such as rheumatic fever can damage heart valves.
The valves between the chambers of your heart keep blood moving forward. If a valve does not open fully, your heart has to work harder to push blood through the smaller opening. If the valve does not close tightly, blood may leak back into the chamber. This makes the heart pump the same blood through the valve over and over again. Over time, this extra work can weaken the heart. Surgery may be needed to repair the valves.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is damage to the heart muscle from causes other than artery or blood flow problems. Viruses and the effects of alcohol or unknown agents can cause this. A stretched heart muscle does not pump as well as it should. It is like a rubber band that has lost its snap. Idiopathic cardiomyopathy means the cause of the stretched muscle is unknown.
Severe Lung Disease
Severe lung disease increases the work load of the heart in three ways:
- Lung disease may reduce the amount of oxygen that can get from the lung’s air sacs to the blood. The heart then pumps faster and harder to get the available oxygen to the body.
- High pressure in the blood vessels going from the heart to the lungs makes it harder for the heart to pump.
- Lung disease can sometimes cause the body to produce too many red blood cells. This makes the blood thicker and harder to pump.
If you have a chronic lung disease, treatment for it is very important. As your breathing improves, it is easier for the heart to pump blood to the lungs and body.
Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease refers to defects that occur when the heart and its chambers are formed. These are present at birth. If they greatly increase the work of the heart, heart failure can result. Sometimes surgery can correct these defects.
Low Red Blood Cell Count
“Anemia” refers to not having enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. Your doctor might call this a low hemoglobin or low red blood cell count. The heart tries to move the small number of red blood cells at a faster rate. It can become very tired from the effort. Giving the person iron tablets and sometimes a blood transfusion is likely to allow the heart to slow down and improve the pumping effort.
Overactive Thyroid
An overactive thyroid gland causes the body to work at a rapid pace. The heart can get overworked trying to keep up with the needs. When the thyroid hormone is at normal levels, the heart is likely to pump at a normal speed.
Abnormal Heart Rhythm
Normally, the heart beats about 80 times a minute. When the heart beats too fast or too slow, it may not be able to pump enough blood for all of the body. This can cause strain or heart failure.
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