Multiple health problems can lead to the development of congestive heart failure. These may include: 

  • Coronary artery disease (the narrowing of the arteries)
  • Heart attacks
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Genetic factors / congenital heart conditions
  • Viruses or infections
  • Pregnancy (heart failure that occurs during or after pregnancy) 

Heart failure can occur on the left, right or both sides of the heart, but generally starts on the left side. Left-side failure happens when the heart can’t pump enough oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of the body.

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