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Heart Diseases Can Predict Incident Frailty: A 20-Year Cohort Study in 3,998 Older Adults

Tung Wai Auyeung1, Jenny Shun Wah Lee1, Erik Fung2

  • 1Jockey Club Institute of Aging, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Heart, Lung & Circulation
|May 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Heart disease significantly predicts frailty in older adults over 20 years, with a higher risk observed in men. Early screening for frailty is crucial for cardiac patients.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Heart disease is a major cause of mortality in older adults.
  • Frailty is a growing concern in aging populations, impacting health outcomes.
  • The long-term relationship between heart disease and incident frailty requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if pre-existing heart diseases predict the development of frailty over a 20-year period in older adults.
  • To determine if this association differs between men and women.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based cohort study included 3,998 non-frail adults aged ≥65 years.
  • Heart disease was defined by self-report and medication verification (heart failure, myocardial infarction, angina).
  • Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL scale at baseline and at 2, 4, 14, 18, and 20 years; Cox proportional hazards models were used for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Baseline heart disease was a significant independent predictor of incident frailty (aHR 1.77 in men, 1.34 in women).
  • The risk of developing frailty was notably higher in men compared to women.
  • Prevalence of heart disease at baseline was 18.3% in men and 16.5% in women.

Conclusions:

  • Heart diseases are significant independent predictors of incident frailty in older adults.
  • The predictive effect of heart disease on frailty is stronger in men than in women.
  • This underscores the importance of frailty screening and preventive interventions in older individuals with heart disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiac diseaseElderlyFrailtyGeriatrics

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