Protection of the failing heart

Abstract

In the developed world, heart failure (HF) is the only cardiovascular disease that is steadily increasing. Both in Europe and the United States about five million people live with the diagnosis of HF, and about 400,000 patients are newly diagnosed every year. Several epidemiological and demographic factors contribute to this trend (Hunt et al.). (a) The development of HF goes parallel with the rise in life expectancy. HF is clearly a disease of the elderly because 80% of the patients admitted to hospital with the diagnosis of HF are older than 65 years (Katz and Konstam). (b) Improved treatment regimens of acute myocardial infarction (MI) increase survival. Consequently, the survivors are more likely to develop HF due to postMI remodelling later in their life (Opie (c) A general increase in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities heightens the number of patients living with HF and/or reaching later stages of HF. © 2011 Springer-Verlag/Wien.