Congestive heart failure is a common medical condition and the leading cause of death in the nation. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump a sufficient amount of blood due to damage, weakening, or stiffening of the heart muscle.
The disease is concerning because it is chronic and progressive, which means it is incurable and worsens over time. However, there are medications you can take and lifestyle changes you can make to relieve unpleasant symptoms, slow down progression, and improve quality of life.
Whether or not heart failure can be inherited depends on how important genetics are to the disease. While congestive heart failure itself is not genetic, several conditions that can cause it, are. Conditions that are hereditary and can cause congestive heart failure include hypertension (high blood pressure), CAD (coronary artery disease), cardiomyopathy (damage of the heart muscle), and heart valve abnormalities.
If you are someone who is at risk of having a medical condition that can lead to heart failure, it is important to discuss your options with your doctor about how to live a healthy life. Because your environment combined with a hereditary condition can increase your risk of heart failure, your doctor will probably recommend lifestyle changes and prevention methods to reduce your risk.
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