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Maryland Heart Center

Heart Failure


Causes & Risk Factors

Heart failure has many causes and can evolve in different ways. It can be a direct, last-stage result of heart damage from one or more of several heart or circulation diseases. It can occur over time as the heart tries to compensate for abnormalities caused by these conditions, a condition called remodeling.

In all cases, the weaker pumping action of the heart means that less blood is sent to the kidneys. The kidneys respond by retaining water and salt. This in turn increases edema (fluid buildup) in the body, which causes widespread damage.

The most common causes of heart failure are hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease. Here's more information on these and other common causes of heart failure:

Other risk factors include:


Please call if you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about our services. Patients dial 1-800-492-5538 or 410-328-5842, physicians dial 410-328-6622 or 1-800-318-1019.