Myocardial hypoxia then leads to impaired function . Another common cause of heart failure is myocardial infarction . Infarcted tissue does not contribute to the generation of mechanical activity so non-infarcted regions must compensate for the loss of function. Valvular disease and congenital defects place increased demands upon the heart that can precipitate failure. Myocarditis can have a similar effect.
Chronic arrhythmias can also precipitate failure.