Risk Factors

• Coronary artery disease or a heart attack* • Diabetes* • High blood pressure* • Overweight and obesity* • Age — heart failure is more common in those over age 65 • Race — heart failure occurs more frequently in blacks • Alcohol or drug abuse • Valve disorders • Irregular heartbeats • Infections of the heart • Congenital heart defects Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute *See previous issues of Be Healthy for additional information.