Written By: Muskan Gupta | Updated : January 8, 2026 2:24 PM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr Shrirang Ranade
For many years, diabetes, ageing, and tobacco use were thought to be the main risk factors for heart failure. Even though these are still risk factors, the clinical landscape is changing; an increasing number of patients with heart failure who do not have diabetes or a history of tobacco use are being seen. The issue, "Why is heart failure becoming more common among those considered low risk?" is raised by the increase in heart failure patients without conventional risk factors.
Heart failure is a regular consequence of several cardiac and systemic disorders rather than a distinct condition. The causes of heart failure will change along with our surroundings, habits, and life expectancies.
According to Dr Shrirang Ranade, Consultant - Cardio Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, "High blood pressure, or hypertension, has continued to be one of the most dangerous yet commonly ignored causes of heart failure, considering that most patients do not experience symptoms for an average of ten years after the condition first manifests. The heart's capacity to relax and function effectively will be affected by chronic, poorly managed hypertension, which will thicken and stiffen the heart muscle. Even those without any associated co-morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes or a history of smoking, might get heart failure because of excessive blood pressure."
The doctor explains that a new paradigm with people having mostly sedentary lives emerges with the surge in sedentary lifestyles among many adults with normal blood sugar levels and those who have never smoked. Obesity, especially central or abdominal obesity, which is an inflammatory and metabolically active form of obesity, is exacerbated by physical inactivity.
Excess visceral fat, or fat around the belly, puts more strain on the heart. This increased workload has a detrimental effect on hormones, which over time causes structural abnormalities in the heart. Younger people who are showing early indicators of heart malfunction tend to show this pattern.
Food culture of the past generations is changed.An overprotection of the cardiovascular system is caused by high food processing, excess salt, processed carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.The aftermath of sodium high levels impacts on pressure and fluid retention causes a greater burden to the action of the heart.Hence, although an individual does not appear to be in danger, according to the traditional indicators of health condition, unhealthy diets may create some unannounced threats that will ultimately backfire.
Viral myocarditis, in which certain viral infections are known to induce inflammation in the heart muscle, is another emerging cause of heart failure. During an early phase, the inflammation may show very few symptoms; but, over time, the inflammation may weaken the heart and eventually cause dilated cardiomyopathy. This reason is often ignored in professional settings because to how few people remember about their prior diseases.
The number of persons surviving heart attacks and other cardiac problems is rising due to today's aging population. Due to better cardiology treatment choices, more people are surviving these occurrences, which is fantastic news for cardiac patients. However, as people continue to live longer, the number of people with heart failure has also grown. Also, even in individuals who are less impacted by conventional risk factors, age-related modifications in the heart and circulatory system are becoming more common as life expectancy increases.
Genetics have a lot to do with heart failure than it used to be considered. More individuals inherit a genetic inclination towards heart disease, or dysfunctional cardiac responses to stress. These genetic tendencies will eventually lead to the condition of a heart failure on the part of a patient even though they may not manifest themselves until triggered by a hormonal, infection or lifestyle modifications.
Numerous of the preliminary signs of heart dysfunction, like fatigue, lack of exercise, slight dyspnea or ankle and foot swellings, are prone to be linked with old age, workforce pressures or insufficient conditioning. The development of heart failure process is generally already established and most often cannot be repaired by the time when an individual attends the doctor with his/her ever-increasing heart issues.
