If I Have A Heart Attack Does That Mean I Have Heart Failure Or That I Will Get Heart Failure?

William T. Abraham, M.D., Director, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Ohio State University
February 6, 2008

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Question: If I have a heart attack does that mean I have heart failure or that I will get heart failure?

Dr. Abraham answers the question: 'Do Heart Attacks Lead To Heart Failure?'

Answer: The most common cause of heart failure in the United States is heart attack, however, not everyone that has a heart attack has heart failure.
Only a percentage of patients -- about 20 to 30 percent of patients -- who have heart attacks will subsequently develop heart failure within the next five years.

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