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Int J Angiol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2794-9293
Review Article

The Epidemiology of Heart Failure

Authors

  • Angelo Salvatore Materia

    1   Department of Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Lorin Berman

    2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Mark Staroselsky

    2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Kyle Kelschenbach

    2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Carson Oprysko

    2   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Chinmayi Prabhakar

    1   Department of Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Anu Priyamvadha Ramakrishnan

    1   Department of Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Jasneet Kaur

    1   Department of Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, United States

  • Roman Zeltser

    3   Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Institute, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York, United States
    4   Department of Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States

  • Amgad N. Makaryus 

    3   Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Institute, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York, United States
    4   Department of Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States
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Abstract

Heart failure remains a public health challenge despite substantial advances in cardiovascular care. It is the leading cause of hospitalization and accounts for significant health care utilization. Heart failure is a clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional impairment of ventricular filling or contractility. The diagnosis is supported by echocardiographic and biomarker evidence. The leading etiologies for heart failure include hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and valvular disease. The incidence of heart failure rises sharply with age. Women often have a higher incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction when compared with men. The overall incidence of higher in males, especially at younger ages. Common causes for decompensation include nonadherence to guideline-directed medical therapy, infections, dietary noncompliance, and arrythmias. Significant disparities persist across age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. Higher incidences and worse outcomes are observed among those populations with lower socioeconomic status and limited access to health care. Addressing the growing burden of heart failures enables the prevention, early diagnosis, and optimized therapy to improve outcomes globally.

Keywords

heart failure - epidemiology - socioeconomic determinants - risk factors - global prevalence - HFrEF - HFpEF


Publication History

Received: 13 January 2026

Accepted: 21 January 2026

Article published online:
06 February 2026

© 2026. International College of Angiology. This article is published by Thieme.

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