Systolic heart failure : The pumping action of the heart is reduced or weakened. A common clinical measurement is the ejection fraction (EF). The ejection fraction is a calculation of how much blood is ejected out of the left ventricle (stroke volume), divided by the maximum volume remaining in the left ventricle at the end of diastole or relaxation phase. A normal ejection fraction is greater than 50%. Systolic heart failure has a decreased ejection fraction of less than 50%.
Diastolic heart failure : The heart can contract normally but is stiff, or less compliant, when it is relaxing and filling with blood. This impedes blood filling into the heart and produces backup into the lungs and CHF symptoms. Diastolic heart failure is more common in patients older than 75 years, especially in women with high blood pressure. In diastolic heart failure, the ejection fraction is normal.
- Heart failure affects 1% of people aged 50 years, about 5% of those aged 75 years or older, and 25% of those aged 85 years or older.
- Heart failure is the most common reason for Medicare patients to be admitted to the hospital.
- As the number of elderly people continues to rise, the number of people diagnosed with this condition will continue to increase.
In the United States, nearly 5 million people have heart failure.
- Each year about 550,000 new cases are diagnosed.
- The condition is more common among African Americans than whites.
- The rate of death from heart failure is about 10% after 1 year. About half of those with CHF die within 5 years after their diagnosis. These statistics vary widely by a patient's exact diagnosis and therapy. Advances in research are providing more options and improving outcomes for people with CHF.
The above information thankfully comes from the emedicinehealth.com at the following link.
