Heart failure has many causes.
Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart failure among adults in the United States. In coronary artery disease, narrowed arteries prevent the heart from getting adequate blood supply, and this prevents the heart muscle from squeezing properly. A previous heart attack, known as a myocardial infarction, can leave the heart muscle scarred. Because scar tissue does not function properly, any scarred area of the heart can't squeeze normally. This makes the overall function of the heart less efficient.