These causes will change the heart significantly. The pathophysiology of heart failure is variously described as: (1) an edematous disorder, whereby deviations in renal hemodynamics and excretory capacity lead to salt and water retention; (2) a hemodynamic disorder, considered peripheral vasoconstriction and decreased cardiac output; (3) a neurohormonal disorder, mainly due to stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the adrenergic nervous system; (4) an inflammatory syndrome, related to the amplification of local and circulatory proinflammatory cytokines; (5) a myocardial disease, starting with damage to the heart followed by pathological ventricular transformation. In heart failure, the heart suffers sudden or long-lasting structural damage. When damage occurs, sequences of initially compensatory, but subsequently maladaptive mechanisms follow one another (Henry & Abraham, ). Many compensatory mechanisms are stimulated in heart failure. These mechanisms involve increasing ventricular preload, or Frank-Starling mechanism, through ventricular dilation and volume expansion, peripheral vasoconstriction to first support perfusion to significant organs, myocardial hypertrophy to protect wall tension as the heart expands, retention of sodium and water in the kidneys to improve ventricular pressure. preload and initiation of the adrenergic nervous system, which increases heart rate and contractile function. Activation of neurohormonal vasoconstrictor systems, which include RAAS, the adrenergic nervous system, and non-osmotic release of vasopressin, will control these compensatory mechanisms (Henry & Abraham). These mechanisms contribute to the signs and symptoms of heart failure. However, the manifestations are not specific and... middle of paper... the illusion is widespread among older populations and in developing countries. As individuals age, they are more prone to hypertension, atrial fibrillation, CAD, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction and obesity, etc., which lead to heart failure. Cardiac function abnormalities increase with increasing decade of life, particularly from the age of 50. Furthermore, comorbidities occur more in developed countries due to different lifestyles. In developing countries more and more people are obese, diabetic and live longer, etc. All of these problems stress the heart and ultimately lead to heart failure (Krum & Abraham, ). Heart failure is a common condition with many diseases and conditions. Knowing the diseases and conditions that can cause heart failure will reduce your chance of suffering from it. Treating and controlling conditions and diseases can further reduce the onset of heart failure.