En Español (Spanish Version)
by Badash M
Risk Factors for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop congestive heart failure with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing congestive heart failure. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.
Risk factors for congestive heart failure (CHF) include:
The following medical conditions put you at increased risk for developing CHF:
These lifestyle factors can increase your risk of developing CHF:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Long-term use of anabolic steroids
CHF is most common in people who are older; most people who have CHF are age 65 or older. CHF is the leading cause of hospital admission in patients older than 65.
Both men and women can develop CHF. However, men are at a slightly higher risk of developing CHF.
References
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine
. 15th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2001.
Heart Failure Online website. Available at:
http://www.heartfailure.org
.
Accessed January 30, 2007.
Mayo Clinic heart Center
website. Available at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-failure/HB00061
. Accessed January 30, 2007.