Heart failure 101

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Risk Factors

Though heart failure can affect anyone, there are some factors that increase your risk. Risk factors you can’t control include:

• Congenital heart problems: Individuals with congenital heart disease or congenital heart defects have a higher risk.

• Age: People over the age of 65 are at an increased risk of heart failure.

• Race: African-Americans have a higher risk.

• Diabetes: People with diabetes have an increased risk of heart failure.

• Diseases of the heart valves: Heart valve problems can increase heart failure risk.

• Irregular heartbeat: A heartbeat that is irregular can increase heart failure risk.

• Sleep apnea: Individuals with sleep apnea have a higher risk.

• Heart attack: People who have had a heart attack have a higher risk of heart failure.

• Kidney damage: People with kidney damage have a higher risk of heart failure.

Risk factors for heart failure that you can control include:

• High blood pressure: Hypertension taxes the cardiovascular system, increasing heart failure risk.

• Coronary artery disease: Blocked or clogged arteries reduce blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of heart damage and heart failure.

• Certain viruses: Some viruses, such as strep, can damage the heart muscle, increasing the risk of heart failure.

• Excessive alcohol use: Too much alcohol can tax the cardiovascular system, increasing heart failure risk.

• Illegal drug use: Illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines can cause heart damage, increasing heart failure risk.