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Causes of Heart Failure
Heart failure usually occurs when another problem makes the heart weak or stiff so it doesn't pump or fill normally. A common cause of heart failure is heart attack. The medical term your doctor may use for this cause of heart failure is ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Other causes include high blood pressure, infection of the heart muscle, lung disease, diabetes, and problems with the heart valves. Drinking too much alcohol for a long time also can cause heart failure.
Sometimes the exact cause of heart failure is not known. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a medical term for this type of heart failure.
Ask your doctor for the cause(s) of your heart failure. There may be special things you can do to care for yourself, based on the specific reasons for your condition.
My heart failure is caused by:
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