Can heart failure be prevented?
Most often, heart failure is caused by preventable conditions like high blood pressure and arterial vascular disease or coronary artery disease. If you can identify and minimize your risk factors for heart failure you may prevent the disease. Controlling high blood pressure is one example of managing a condition that may otherwise lead to the development of left ventricular enlargement (abnormally thickened heart muscle) and left ventricular dysfunction (heart failure). Patients who experience heart attacks have an 8 - 10 fold increased risk for developing subsequent heart failure. Other treatable conditions that contribute to the development of heart failure include diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, and thyroid disease, all of which may be minimized by maintaining healthy lifestyle patterns. Eating well, exercising regularly, and getting routine medical check-ups can help prevent these conditions that cause heart failure. Learn more ways to reduce your risk for heart disease.
