Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The term "congestive" refers to fluid buildup in the body due to the heart not pumping correctly. MayoClinic.com notes that once congestive heart failure occurs, the process cannot be reversed; however, treatment may reduce the symptoms associated with the condition to prolong quality of life. Taking precautions to reduce the risk of congestive heart conditions means making wise lifestyle choices, getting regular check-ups and understanding controllable causes that weaken the heart over time.
Arterial Damage
The coronary arteries supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. Cholesterol, fat and calcium or plaque causes a blockage in the arteries, which leads to coronary artery disease. The American Heart Association explains that plaque initially narrows the arteries and, over time, this narrowing increases the risk of blood clots forming. Once blood flow is completely blocked, chest pain and heart attack occur. Artery damage in this form is the most common yet preventable congestive heart problem, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Simple lifestyle changes such as taking cholesterol-lowering medications, eating healthier foods and engaging in regular mild exercise contribute to decreasing the risk of narrowing of the arteries.
Blood Pressure
The force of blood pumped from the heart to the arteries impacts how hard the heart works. High blood pressure forces the heart to over-exert in order to pump the right amount of blood to the rest of the body. The heart muscle thickens over time to compensate for over-exertion, which leads to an enlarged heart. MayoClinic.com explains that prolonged high blood pressure weakens the hearts ability to pump blood effectively, causing congestive heart problems. High blood pressure is a controllable condition maintained by medications, changes in activity level and nutritional habits.
Congenital Conditions
Congenital heart problems are those that exist at birth. Congenital defects occur while a baby's organs are forming during pregnancy for a variety of reasons. In the event of a congenital heart condition, the child is at greater risk for ongoing heart problems. The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine notes that the weakened heart is susceptible to worse vulnerability when triggers such as fever, lung infection or overexertion occurs. However, people with congenital heart defects can live fulfilling and healthy lives with physician monitoring and treatment.
Additional Causes
Inflammation of the heart muscle caused by a virus can lead to congestive heart problems. MayoClinic.com notes that faulty heart valves may also contribute to this condition. Faulty heart valves are often formed due to a birth defect or as a result of arterial damage. A damaged valve causes the healthy heart valves to redirect blood flow, which eventually overworks the muscle. Additional damage to the heart is caused by drug and alcohol abuse or co-occurring medical conditions such as those associated with the thyroid.
