Failing ageing hearts

Chronic heart failure is a major and increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. Although it is widely recognized that chronic heart failure affects the elderly, little attention has been given to its study specifically in this patient group. For example, patients with chronic heart failure in clinical trials frequently have an average age of around 60 years, in comparison to one of nearer 80 years in epidemiological studies. The importance of examining the specific characteristics of chronic heart failure in older individuals is underlined by predictions of an ‘epidemic’ of chronic heart failure that will largely be driven by the combination of an ageing population (by 2030 it is projected that there will be 70 million adults in the United States alone greater than 65 years) and improved survival following acute myocardial infarction. There is already evidence that the age of patients with chronic heart failure is increasing over time.