What causes Congestive Heart Failure?

Causes include:

• Problems with the heart's valves due to:
  • Rheumatic heart disease
  • Bacterial endocarditis
  • Congenital defects
  • Calcium deposits
• High blood pressure
• Heart muscle damage after a heart attack
• Coronary artery disease
• Cardiomyopathy (weakened, damaged heart muscle) due to:
  • Infection
  • Excess alcohol ingestion
  • Genetic defect
• Certain medications
• Arrhythmias
• Complications from the use of beta-blocking or digitalis-containing medications
• Diabetes
• Emphysema
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Excess salt intake
• Amyloidosis
• Pneumonia
• Kidney and/or liver failure
• Anabolic steroid use
• Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency