What condition is the leading cause of heart failure and transplants?

The leading cause of heart failure and transplants is ischemic heart disease. This condition arises when the heart muscle doesn't receive enough blood due to narrowed arteries, typically caused by atherosclerosis. Ischemic heart disease leads to myocardial ischemia, which can impair heart function over time and result in heart failure.

When the heart is unable to pump efficiently due to damage from ischemic events, patients may develop dilated cardiomyopathy as a result. This occurs because the heart muscle stretches and thins, leading to an enlarged heart that struggles to maintain adequate blood circulation.

While other conditions, such as restrictive and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, can lead to heart failure, they are not as prevalent as ischemic heart disease in contributing to the need for heart transplants. The significant prevalence of ischemic heart disease in the population underscores its impact on heart health and its primary role in heart failure and transplants.