Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by the inability of the heart to pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the metabolic needs of the body. Heart failure is also typically characterized by progressive deterioration of the heart’s pumping function. Heart failure can be caused by a number of diseases such as heart attacks, hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease which can result in structural or functional changes to the heart, and impair the ability of the heart to adequately eject blood. These changes result in a dilated (enlarged) heart. The reduced blood flow to the body is manifested by patients feeling tired, weak, short of breath or unable to do many daily activities.

Heart failure is the leading cause of death in the developed world and is estimated to affect approximately five million Americans with 550,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Worldwide numbers are estimated to be double those for the U.S. in both incidence and prevalence. Heart failure is predominately seen in patients over the age of 50 and the American Heart Association estimates that it affects 10 out of every 1,000 people over the age of 65. The diagnosis of heart failure is made by the physician after a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history, physical examination and diagnostic tests.