Causes may include:

• Coronary artery disease, often known as CAD, is a condition in which there is a decreased blood flow to the heart muscles because of blocked or restricted arteries.
• A heart attack occurs when a disruption in the blood flow to the heart muscles is wholly cut off, permanently damaging them.
• Cardiomyopathy is damage to the heart muscles caused by an infection, excessive use of alcohol or drugs, or both.
• Overwork of the heart may be caused by factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, renal disease, diabetes, congenital heart abnormalities, faulty heart valves, kidney disease, and diabetes.
• Ethnicity may also be a reason for CHF – something that is typical of African Americans.

Some of the major risk factors include:

• Uncontrolled hypertension 
• Diabetes that is not under the control
• Certain pharmaceuticals, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) and antiarrhythmic therapies, have increased heart failure risk.
• Sleep disorders
• Infection of the cardiac muscles caused by a virus
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• The abnormal rhythm of the heart

Heart failure may exist without symptoms or can vary from mild to severe. Symptoms might be present all the time or just sometimes and include:

• Lung congestion refers to fluid in the lungs, which may cause shortness of breath, dry coughing, or wheezing.
• A diminished blood flow to essential organs may cause symptoms such as lightheadedness, fatigue, weakness, and disorientation.
• When there is a reduction in the blood flow to the kidneys, fluid and water retention may occur. It can cause swollen ankles, legs, and belly (body swelling), as well as weight gain, an increase in the frequency of urine throughout the night, lack of appetite, or nausea.
• When you feel pain in the chest.
• Abnormally fast or erratic heartbeats
• Inability to eat something
• In extreme circumstances, passing out.
• Unexpected weight gain 

In children, below is a list of symptoms associated with heart failure:

• An excessive amount of sweat
• Having trouble with one’s breathing

Complications you might face:

• Damage to the kidneys or renal failure results from decreased blood flow.
• Issues in the heart’s valves
• Irregular cardiac rhythm or arrhythmias.
• Liver damage

Preventions to be taken:

• Be mindful of your blood pressure at all times.
• Acquire the knowledge necessary to recognize the signs of heart failure and closely watch those symptoms.
• Seek out help if you need support on an intellectual, sentimental, or psychological level.
• Keep your height and weight in the proper proportions.
• Always take your prescription as directed and at the correct time.
• Visit your doctor frequently.
• Stop smoking cigarettes and putting tobacco in your mouth; it’s a bad habit.
• Inform your primary care physician if you are taking any additional medications, particularly those for acid reflux or diabetes.

Here is the list of what you can eat if you are suffering from CHF:

• Eat a diet that is both healthful and nourishing.
• Include foods high in fiber.
• Reduce your consumption of foods that are heavy in sugar and fat.
• Include in your diet items that are very low in fat or fat-free.
• Limit your salt and sodium consumption
• Quit alcohol
• Food should not be high in cholesterol, salt, and sugar