Causes and Risks for Heart Failure

Who develops heart failure (HF) and why?

Heart failure is a serious, long-term (chronic) condition. It’s more likely to happen as you age, but anyone can develop heart failure. Still, if you have heart failure, you can live a full and active life with the right medical treatment and lifestyle.

Understand the causes and conditions leading to HF

Most people who develop heart failure have (or had) another heart condition first. The most common conditions that can lead to heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and previous heart attack. If you’ve been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it’s critical that you manage it carefully to help prevent the onset of heart failure.

The American Heart Association is here to help. The best thing you can do for yourself is to follow all of your healthcare provider’s instructions and make any needed changes in diet, physical activity and lifestyle. This will help give you the highest possible quality of life.

Learn more about the numbers and understand your risk

The most important thing to remember if you are living with HF is that you’re not alone. More than 6 million Americans are living with heart failure, and over 900,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. You can manage this condition.

Learn more about the risks and costs associated with HF.

Explore resources on our website and visit the Support Network to connect with others living with heart failure.