Congestive Heart Failure (cont.)

Prevention

Congestive heart failure can be the ultimate result of a number of diseases, or lifestyle choices, that damage the heart. Some of these can be prevented. Others cannot be prevented but can be treated successfully.

Some examples of illnesses or lifestyle choices that can lead to congestive heart failure are as follows:

• Coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease), including heart attack
  
  
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• Uncontrolled high cholesterol
  
  
• Diabetes
  
  
• Congenital heart disease (a heart condition that one is born with)
  
  
• Infection (particularly some common viruses that can rarely severely affect the heart and cannot be reliably predicted or prevented)
  
  
• Damage to the heart valves (possibly from IV drug use)
  
  
• Alcoholism
  
  
• Smoking

In some cases, a family history of heart failure can be present. Many cases are a combination of factors, and in other cases, the cause is unknown. 

If you have congestive heart failure, you are at increased risk of developing pneumonia. You probably should receive both the pneumonia vaccination and annual flu shots. Ask your health care provider to be sure.

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