Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
05:16

Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Published on: June 10, 2025

Predictors of congestive heart failure mortality in elderly people from the general population

Alberto Mazza1, Valérie Tikhonoff, Edoardo Casiglia

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

International Heart Journal
|July 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This study identified key predictors of congestive heart failure (CHF) mortality in older adults. Factors like age, male gender, and specific health conditions significantly increase the risk of death from CHF in the elderly population.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a significant health concern in the elderly population.
  • Identifying mortality predictors in this demographic is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictors of congestive heart failure (CHF) mortality in individuals over 65 years old who were initially free of CHF.
  • To develop a risk model for CHF mortality in the elderly.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort of 3,282 elderly subjects was followed for 12 years.
  • Multivariate Cox analysis was used to determine relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CHF mortality.
  • Continuous variables were categorized into tertiles for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Key predictors of CHF mortality included: age ≥ 72 years, male gender, coronary artery disease history, pulse pressure ≥ 79 mmHg, heart rate ≥ 81 bpm, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetes, low vital capacity (≤ 81%), low forced expiratory volume in 1 second (≤ 72%), and low serum sodium (≤ 139 mmol/L).
  • Specific relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each predictor.

Conclusions:

  • A model incorporating these predictors can effectively identify elderly individuals at increased risk of death from CHF.
  • Early identification allows for proactive management and potentially improved outcomes for elderly CHF patients.

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart Failure I: Introduction

Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions01:30

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...