Congestive heart disease, otherwise known as heart failure, is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to the other organs. The failing heart continues to work, but not as efficiently or effectively as it should. Heart failure can be caused by several conditions that damage or weaken the heart muscle.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is a cause of congestive heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, coronary artery disease occurs when fatty deposits called plaque, build up on the arteries of the heart. The plaque causes a narrowing of the arteries and the heart does not receive enough blood, and becomes starved for oxygen and nutrients. This can cause chest pain or shortness of breath. Coronary artery disease often develops over decades and isn't identified until the build up of plaque causes a heart attack.
Previous Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the arteries to the heart become blocked and the heart cannot receive enough blood. According to the American Heart Association, when a person has a heart attack, part of the heart muscle dies and does not pump as well as it should. A past heart attack, or myocardial infarction, causing scar tissue that interferes with the heart muscle's normal work, can lead to congestive heart disease.
High Blood Pressure
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one in three Americans has high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the arteries as it circulates through the body. Having high blood pressure raises a person's risk for developing congestive heart disease.
Abnormal heart valves
Disease, infection, or an abnormality at birth can cause the heart valves to function improperly. When this occurs, the heart muscle has to work harder to circulate blood and overtime, which can result in heart failure, according to the American Heart Association.
Other Heart Conditions
According to the American Heart Association, any type of damage to the heart muscle can cause heart failure. Viral infections, as well as alcohol and drug use can damage the heart, and in some cases, there is no explanation as to why the heart muscle is damaged. When the heart beats too fast, too slow or irregularly, the heart does not get the blood, oxygen and nutrients that it needs, resulting in heart failure.
