The Epidemiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure remains a public health challenge despite substantial advances in cardiovascular care. It is the leading cause of hospitalization and accounts for significant health care utilization. Heart failure is a clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or contractility. The diagnosis is supported by echocardiographic and biomarker evidence. The leading etiologies for heart failure include hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and valvular disease. The incidence of heart failure rises sharply with age. Women often have a higher incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction when compared with men. The overall incidence of higher in males, especially at younger ages. Common causes for decompensation include nonadherence to guideline-directed medical therapy, infections, dietary noncompliance, and arrythmias. Significant disparities persist across age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. Higher incidences and worse outcomes are observed among those populations with lower socioeconomic status and limited access to health care. Addressing the growing burden of heart failures enables the prevention, early diagnosis, and optimized therapy to improve outcomes globally.