Optimal treatment of heart failure in the elderly

Heart failure is a common condition in the elderly and one that is likely to become more prevalent as the population ages. Many drugs have been developed for the treatment of heart failure, but because clinical trials of these agents have often not included elderly patients their results need to be extrapolated from younger to older patients. Age-related physiological changes that affect how the available treatments are used occur in many organ systems. Effective management strategies can be implemented in elderly patients as well as in younger age groups, and these can improve both functional status and quality of life as well as reducing hospital admission and improving survival. This article reviews the physiological changes that occur in the elderly and the treatment approach that can be taken in elderly patients with heart failure.