Heart Failure in Young Adults Is Associated With High Mortality: A Contemporary Population-Level Analysis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited data exists on young individuals diagnosed with heart failure (HF).
• Understanding the unique characteristics of HF in younger populations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the characteristics, healthcare utilization, and survival rates of younger versus older patients hospitalized with heart failure.
• To identify trends in heart failure incidence across different age demographics.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of linked administrative healthcare databases in Alberta, Canada (2002-2014).
• Identification of 34,548 patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure hospitalization.
• Stratification of patients into four age groups: 20-44, 45-54, 55-64, and ≥65 years.

Main Results:

• Younger patients (20-44 years) constituted 1.4% of HF hospitalizations.
• Incidence of HF hospitalization increased in men aged 20-64 years, while decreasing in those ≥65 years.
• Compared to older patients, younger patients had lower rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for any cause, cardiovascular causes, or HF within one year post-discharge.
• Mortality rates for patients aged 20-44 years were 3.9% (30 days), 12.4% (1 year), and 27.7% (5 years).

Conclusions:

• Young heart failure patients, particularly those under 45, experience frequent adverse events, including high readmission rates and significant mortality.
• Despite lower healthcare utilization, a substantial proportion of young patients face severe outcomes, highlighting the need for focused management strategies.