Current trends in heart failure epidemiology

The epidemiologic profile of heart failure continues to change along with the rising population of elderly persons and improved survival for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this article is to summarize the currently available literature on heart failure prevalence, incidence, mortality, and morbidity, with an emphasis on recent demographic and clinical changes. Overall prevalence of heart failure in the general population is approximately 1%, whereas among persons ≥75 years, the prevalence ranges from 7%-15%. Incidence also increases substantially with increasing age, rising from 1-3 cases per 1000 persons per year in the overall population to a range of 12.5-19.3 cases per 1000 patient years in patients >65 years of age. Given the burgeoning geriatric population and recent evidence suggesting improved survival among heart failure patients, it is not surprising that heart failure hospitalization and healthcare resource utilization have increased dramatically over recent years. Without new treatment strategies, these trends may continue into the 21st century.