Preparing for a Heart Failure Pandemic: From Epidemiology to Prevention and Rehabilitation

Abstract

 In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of patients with heart failure called as the "heart failure pandemic".

 The most common causes were ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and valvular disease. Recently, although the rate of ischemic heart disease has increased, the number of hypertensive HFpEF (heart failure with preserved left ventricular function) patients increases.

 To respond to this situation, we should recognize that heart failure is not as a single phase of disease but as a continuous and progressive disease. According to the recent guideline, patients with heart failure are identified as followings; Stage A: risk stage without organic heart disease, Stage B: risk stage with organic heart disease, Stage C: symptomatic heart failure stage, and Stage D: treatment-resistant stage. In patients with stage A/B, if it is a high-risk group without symptom, it should be treated to prevent the onset of heart failure. In patients with stage C/D, improvement of symptoms and prognosis, and prevention of progression/recurrence of heart failure should be achieved.

 Physical exercise plays a major role in the primary and secondary prevention of heart failure. In 2017, a standard program of cardiac rehabilitation for patients with heart failure was published. This program is a practical manual, and at the same time, specifies the essential items and the effort items for implementation.

 To improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with heart failure, it is important to detect stage A/B patients at an early stage and to manage their lifestyle and intervene in their risk factors appropriately. The contribution of this Society in this area is expected.