[Heart failure in patients over 80 years old]

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome common in individuals over 80.
• It is characterized by specific clinical signs, elevated natriuretic peptides, and cardiac structural changes linked to cardiac aging.
• Symptoms often manifest as shortness of breath, weight gain, edema, and fatigue (EPOF).

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significant increase in HF incidence and prevalence with advanced age.
• To emphasize HF as a leading cause of hospitalization and a major healthcare expense in the elderly population.
• To underscore the need for improved management strategies for HF in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical signs and diagnostic markers associated with HF in the elderly.
• Consideration of comorbidities prevalent in individuals over 80.
• Analysis of current HF management approaches, including multidisciplinary and geriatric evaluations.

Main Results:

• HF incidence and prevalence escalate significantly with age, particularly over 80.
• HF is the primary reason for hospitalization in this demographic, incurring substantial healthcare costs.
• Despite advancements in targeted treatments, mortality, hospitalization, and readmission rates for HF remain high.

Conclusions:

• Management of HF in older adults necessitates a multidisciplinary approach with geriatric expertise.
• Optimizing treatment requires enhanced therapeutic education and consistent patient follow-up.
• Further strategies are needed to effectively reduce the persistent high rates of mortality and hospital readmissions in elderly HF patients.