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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Lumped-Parameter and Finite Element Modeling of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Published on: February 13, 2021
Heart failure in women
Insights
Heart failure disproportionately affects women, particularly older women. Further research and clinical trial inclusion are crucial for understanding and effectively treating heart failure in women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Women's Health
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) is a significant and increasing public health concern in the U.S.
- Hospitalizations and mortality for HF are rising, with women, especially older women, projected to be the predominant demographic in the coming decades.
- Evidence suggests potential differences in HF etiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment response in women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the growing impact of heart failure on women.
- To underscore the need for better understanding of sex-based differences in heart failure.
- To advocate for increased representation of women in clinical trials for heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on heart failure in women.
- Analysis of trends in heart failure hospitalization and mortality.
- Examination of the role of hypertension and left ventricular systolic function in women with heart failure.
Main Results:
- Women, particularly older women, represent a growing proportion of heart failure cases.
- Hypertension appears to play a more significant role in heart failure among women.
- Preserved left ventricular systolic function is more common in women with heart failure.
- Questions exist regarding the efficacy of standard heart failure medications in women.
- Underrepresentation of women in major clinical trials has hindered understanding.
Conclusions:
- Heart failure presents unique challenges and potential differences in women.
- Ensuring adequate representation of women in clinical trials is essential for advancing knowledge and improving management of heart failure in this population.
Abstract:
Heart failure is a major and growing public health problem in the United States. Hospitalization and death for heart failure have risen dramatically and the proportion of women with heart failure, especially older women, is projected to be the predominant group in the next 3 decades. There is growing evidence that the etiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, and response to treatment may all be different in women. In addition, there is evidence that hypertension plays a more prominent role and that preserved left ventricular systolic function is more likely to be found in women. There are legitimate questions about the degree of benefit that women receive from standard medications. A major obstacle in our understanding of heart failure in women has been their underrepresentation in major clinical trials. Current emphasis on ensuring adequate representation in clinical trials should help to further our understanding of heart failure in women and its management.
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