and systolic dysfunction,
in particular, accounting for 60 to 75% of all cases in industrialized
countries. Both hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes
interact with a genetic predisposition augmenting the development of
CAD, as does dyslipidemia. Other etiologies include nonischemic
idiopathic cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, myocarditis, alcohol,
and drugs. Rheumatic fever remains a leading cause of heart failure in
Africa and Asia, particularly in the young population