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CHF Risk Factors

Congestive heart failure, also referred to as CHF, is a medical condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body. CHF can happen gradually or it can happen rather quickly if there has been any traumatic injury to the heart. Congestive heart failure can be caused by a variety of heart-related issues, such as high blood pressure or coronary artery disease. It is important to recognize the risk factors that can put an individual at risk for developing CHF.

  1. Condition-Based Risk Factors

    • There are several medical conditions that can put a person at risk for developing CHF. The most common causes for congestive heart failure are high blood pressure (hypertension) and CAD (coronary artery disease). Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, other heart disease and hyperthyroidism can increase the risk of developing congestive heart failure.

    Age and Sex Risk Factors

    • CHF is commonly seen in people who are over the age of 65. Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with CHF as well, however it is not uncommon for women to have congestive heart failure. CHF is seen more in men because they statistically are more likely to suffer from the risk factor medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

    Lifestyle Risk Factors

    • Outside influences can also contribute to the development of CHF. Smoking has the potential to lead into CHF because it can damage to lungs and also put a person at an increased risk for developing hypertension or coronary artery disease, which are the primary causes for congestive heart failure. In addition, alcohol use can weaken the heart and not make it contract as it should, thus creating the potential for damage to the heart, or heart disease.

    Prevention

    • It is possible to deter or even delay the development of congestive heart failure. In fact, exercise and a properly managed diet can decrease the risk of developing CHF by minimizing the obesity factor. Also, quitting smoking or limiting the amount of alcohol that you drink can also help from developing other medical conditions that are leading risk factors into the development of CHF.

    Considerations

    • If you have been recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure, it is important to note that you can still work at minimizing the risk factors in order to make the CHF more tolerable. Maintaining a workout routine and a well-balanced diet can help make your condition more manageable. In addition, you can check with your local hospital to see if there are any support groups that deal with congestive heart failure patients.

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