October 11, 2008 modified October 27, 2014
Congestive heart failure is the cause of edema. It is a chronic disease of the heart that causes poor blood circulation. Update on congestive heart failure. The heart is a muscle that beats to pump oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the body via the circulatory system. Inside the heart are four chambers which collect blood and then distribute it to the lungs and the body.
Several conditions can hamper the ability of the heart to effectively pump blood. Abnormalities or muscle disease or heart valves can cause failure of the heart to maintain an adequate blood circulation. Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or narrowed or clogged arteries can compromise the blood