Epidemiology and risk factors for heart failure in the elderly.

Heart failure is a common problem in the elderly population, affecting 10% or more of persons more than 80 years of age. Heart failure is most likely to develop in the elderly population, with an annual incidence of 20 to 30 cases per 1000 persons aged more than 80 years. Heart failure is not only common in the elderly population but also commonly fatal, with fewer than 30% of elderly persons surviving 6 years after their first hospitalization for heart failure. Common risk factors leading to heart failure include coronary heart disease, systolic hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The global aging of the population will perpetuate the epidemic of heart failure into the next century.