The left ventricle's ability to fill is called the diastolic function. When that ability is impaired, it is called diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction can be caused by:

• High blood pressure.
• Coronary artery disease.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of heart muscle).
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy (stiffening of the heart muscle).
• Metabolic problems, such as diabetes or thyroid disease.
• Some diseases of the heart valves.
• Heart defects present at birth (congenital).
• Pericardial tamponade or constrictive pericarditis, problems with the sac surrounding the heart.
• Lung disease, such as emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, or cystic fibrosis. However, this is uncommon.