Congestive heart failure treatment of underlying causes
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Treatment of the underlying cause of heart failure including ischemic heart disease, hypertension, renovascular disease, or valvular heart disease is critical in the management of the patient with congestive heart failure.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Underlying ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of chronic congestive heart failure and is the underlying cause of heart failure and 50 to 75% of patients. Ischemic heart disease results in systolic dysfunction of the heart due to irreversible damage of the left ventricle if there has been a prior MI. There can also be viable tissue that is stunned or hibernating as a cause of heart failure.