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Heart failure-related hospitalization in the U.S., 1979 to 2004

Jing Fang1, George A Mensah, Janet B Croft

  • 1Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3714, USA. jfang@cdc.gov

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|August 2, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Heart failure hospitalizations in the U.S. tripled from 1979 to 2004, with rates increasing sharply with age. This trend is expected to continue, increasing the economic burden on Medicare.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) is a growing concern in the U.S.
  • Long-term trends in HF-related hospitalizations are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine trends in U.S. heart failure hospitalizations over 26 years (1979-2004).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized National Hospital Discharge Survey data (1979-2004).
  • Assessed heart failure hospitalizations as primary or secondary diagnoses.
  • Analyzed the distribution of primary diagnoses among HF hospitalizations.

Main Results:

  • HF hospitalizations tripled from 1.27 million to 3.86 million.
  • Hospitalization rates increased with age, predominantly affecting those 65+ (Medicare/Medicaid).
  • While HF was primary in 30-35% of cases, other conditions (respiratory, non-cardiovascular) as primary diagnoses increased; transfers to long-term care rose, while in-hospital mortality and length of stay decreased.

Conclusions:

  • Aging U.S. population and improved survival contribute to rising HF hospitalizations in older adults.
  • The economic burden on Medicare due to heart failure hospitalizations is projected to increase.
Abstract

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