I often hear my patient’s family members questioning if heart failure is hereditary. I understand it is scary to see your parent go through heart failure and wonder if you could be prone to the same disease. The good news is that heart failure is not hereditary. However, many diseases that can ultimately lead to heart failure can be hereditary. It is always best to consult a physician before jumping to any conclusion! The three following heart diseases have been known to lead to heart failure.
- Heart Valve Abnormalities occurs if one or more of your heart valves don’t work well. These valves have tissue flaps that open and close with each heartbeat. The flaps make sure blood flows in the right direction through your heart’s four chambers and to the rest of your body.
- Coronary Artery Disease happens when the arteries that supply blood to your heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. This is due to the buildup of cholesterol and other material (plaque) on their inner walls.
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is a when the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. This requires the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels.
Heart failure can cause shortness of breath, leg swelling and the inability to exercise. Treatment is most commonly a lifestyle change, such as quitting smoking, changes in diet, medication or with the installation of a pacemaker.
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