Heart disease-This is when blood vessels become narrow or clogged so that not enough blood reaches the heart.  This could damage the heart and affect its pumping ability.

Past heart attack-This results when an artery that provides blood to the heart is blocked and part of the heart is damaged.  The healthy part of the heart must work harder to pump blood.  This extra work may weaken the pumping action of the heart. 

Heart beat disorders-If the heart beat is too fast, too slow, or irregular, it may not pump well enough to meet the body's needs.  If this occurs, the problem can be treated before major damage occurs.

Alcohol and drug abuse-These drugs can damage the heart leading to CHF.  Restrict alcohol to 1 or less glasses of wine a day.

Abnormal Heart Valves-if the valves do not work correctly, the heart has to work harder to keep the blood moving.

Heart Muscle Disease- This can occur at birth, or from drug and alcohol abuse, infections, or unknown reasons.

Heart Defects-This is present at birth.  The defect occurs when the heart doesn't form correctly and the heart must work harder forming stress on the heart.

Diabetes- People with diabetes have risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  If uncontrolled these factors can lead to heart damage, then to heart failure.

High Blood Pressure-Blood pressure that is not controlled doubles a person's risk of developing CHF.  High blood pressure makes the heart pump harder to keep the blood flowing.  This can cause the heart muscle to thicken and affect the pumping action of the heart. 

Severe low number of red blood cells (RBCs)-Because RBCs carry oxygen to call areas of the body, a low number of RBCs makes the heart pumps faster to get the oxygen to where it needs to go.  Overtime, this can damage the heart.

Fast thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)- The thyroid works to break down food and other nutrients for the body.  If a thyroid works too fast, the entire body is working faster.  This makes the heart work faster to keep up with the rest of the body, which can cause heart damage over time.

Cigarette Smoking-With each puff of a cigarette, the heart rate and blood pressure rise.  There is also less oxygen in the blood.  Smoking causes the blood vessels to stick together. By not smoking, people with CHF are more likely to see there symptoms improve.  For tips to quit smoking go to http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1562

Family history and high cholesterol can contribute to the risk of CHF

Not staying active-Not exercising can actually result in your CHF getting worse.  Allow fro frequent rest periods, but try to stay active.  It keeps the heart stronger.