Risk Factors
Afflicts an Estimated 5 Million Americans
Heart failure is one of the most common reasons why people over the age of 65 go to the hospital. It afflicts an estimated 5 million Americans. Risk factors include:
- Advancing age
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Congenital heart defects
- Excessive alcohol use or illicit drug use
- Obesity
- Chronic lung disease
- Certain types of chemotherapy
- Heart valve disease
- Thyroid disease
- Kidney disease
- Certain viruses
