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Heart Failure in Older Adults
Heart Failure in Older Adults
P re f a c e H e a r t F a i l u re i n O l d e r A d u l t s
Wilbert S. Aronow, MD, FACC, FAHA
Ali Ahmed, MD, MPH
Editors
Heart Failure Clin 13 (2017) xiii http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hfc.2017.04.001 1551-7136/17/Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.
antagonists, exercise therapy, antiarrhythmic drugs, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention and by surgery, and left ventricular assist devices are also discussed. Finally, the last article discusses the very important topic of end-of-life care in the treatment of heart failure in older adults. The authors who have contributed to this issue are experts in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and are dedicated to improving care and outcomes of heart failure in older adults. We extend our sincere appreciation to each of them for their excellent contributions to the articles in this issue. Wilbert S. Aronow, MD, FACC, FAHA Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiology Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College Valhalla, NY 10595, USA Ali Ahmed, MD, MPH Center for Health and Aging Washington DC VA Medical Center Department of Medicine George Washington University Washington, DC 20422, USA E-mail addresses: [email protected] (W.S. Aronow) [email protected] (A. Ahmed)
heartfailure.theclinics.com
An estimated 6.5 million adults in the United States have heart failure, and approximately 960,000 new cases of heart failure will occur annually in the United States. Heart failure is predominantly a disease of older persons. Approximately 80% of patients hospitalized with heart failure are older than 65 years. Heart failure is included as a contributing factor to mortality in one of every nine deaths in the United States. Approximately half of patients who develop heart failure will die within 5 years. Heart failure is also the most common cause of hospitalization and of rehospitalization within 3 months among older adults in the United States. Antecedent hypertension is present in 75% of patients who develop heart failure. Aging of the population is contributing to the epidemic of heart failure. Much new information has accrued since Dr Aronow’s previous “Heart Failure in the Elderly” issue was published in Heart Failure Clinics in October 2007. The current issue includes 15 articles, which are either new or markedly updated. The authors or coauthors are different from those of the previous issue in 10 of the 15 articles. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic assessment, cause, and role of echocardiography in the diagnostic assessment and cause of heart failure are discussed. The treatment of heart failure in older persons with a reduced ejection fraction, with a preserved ejection fraction, after acute myocardial infarction, and the use of diuretics, inotropic drugs, neurohormonal
P re f a c e H e a r t F a i l u re i n O l d e r A d u l t s
Wilbert S. Aronow, MD, FACC, FAHA
Ali Ahmed, MD, MPH
Editors
Heart Failure Clin 13 (2017) xiii http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hfc.2017.04.001 1551-7136/17/Ó 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.
antagonists, exercise therapy, antiarrhythmic drugs, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention and by surgery, and left ventricular assist devices are also discussed. Finally, the last article discusses the very important topic of end-of-life care in the treatment of heart failure in older adults. The authors who have contributed to this issue are experts in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and are dedicated to improving care and outcomes of heart failure in older adults. We extend our sincere appreciation to each of them for their excellent contributions to the articles in this issue. Wilbert S. Aronow, MD, FACC, FAHA Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiology Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College Valhalla, NY 10595, USA Ali Ahmed, MD, MPH Center for Health and Aging Washington DC VA Medical Center Department of Medicine George Washington University Washington, DC 20422, USA E-mail addresses: [email protected] (W.S. Aronow) [email protected] (A. Ahmed)
heartfailure.theclinics.com
An estimated 6.5 million adults in the United States have heart failure, and approximately 960,000 new cases of heart failure will occur annually in the United States. Heart failure is predominantly a disease of older persons. Approximately 80% of patients hospitalized with heart failure are older than 65 years. Heart failure is included as a contributing factor to mortality in one of every nine deaths in the United States. Approximately half of patients who develop heart failure will die within 5 years. Heart failure is also the most common cause of hospitalization and of rehospitalization within 3 months among older adults in the United States. Antecedent hypertension is present in 75% of patients who develop heart failure. Aging of the population is contributing to the epidemic of heart failure. Much new information has accrued since Dr Aronow’s previous “Heart Failure in the Elderly” issue was published in Heart Failure Clinics in October 2007. The current issue includes 15 articles, which are either new or markedly updated. The authors or coauthors are different from those of the previous issue in 10 of the 15 articles. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic assessment, cause, and role of echocardiography in the diagnostic assessment and cause of heart failure are discussed. The treatment of heart failure in older persons with a reduced ejection fraction, with a preserved ejection fraction, after acute myocardial infarction, and the use of diuretics, inotropic drugs, neurohormonal