Heart Failure in Poland: A 20-Year Epidemiological Perspective

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality in Poland, with heart failure (HF) presenting a significant public health issue. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to analyze trends in HF incidence, hospitalization rates, patient demographics, and mortality over two decades A comparative analysis was performed using data from two national reports: (1) the 2013 report "Heart Failure-Analysis of Economic and Social Costs, " assessing HF patients from 2004 to 2012, and (2) the 2023 report "Heart Failure in Poland 2014-2021," based on data from the Polish Ministry of Health, National Health Fund, and HTA Consulting. This study examined the prevalence of HF (ICD-10 codes: I50, J81), hospitalization rates, comorbidities, mortality trends, and access to rehabilitation. Results: Between 2014 and 2019, the number of HF patients grew by 34%, reaching 1.02 million in 2019. Only 9% of HF patients were younger than 60 years. Multimorbidity was common, with arterial hypertension, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and arrhythmias, often preceding HF diagnosis. HF-related mortality increased, with 149,963 in 2021, compared to 16,606 in 2012. In 2019, hospitalizations related to HF increased by 41% compared to 2014. The economic burden of HF care increased by 117% between 2014 and 2020, with hospitalizations accounting for 94% of total costs, up from 65% in 2012. Access to cardiac rehabilitation remained limited. Conclusions: HF prevalence, hospitalization rates, and mortality have increased in Poland, alongside a rising burden of multimorbidity. These findings provide a foundation for future healthcare planning to reduce the impact of HF in Poland.