Heart Failure Update – Pharmacist, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner

Heart failure (HF) is a complex cardiac condition distinguished by impairment in ventricular filling or ejection. HF is a common condition that causes significant disability and death in the US and around the world. Approximately 6.2 million adults in the United States have HF – and despite advances in drug and device therapies, HF was a contributing cause of more than 13% of deaths in 2018. The lifetime risk of developing HF is about 20%. The estimated total cost of HF, including health care, medication, and missed work, in 2012 was almost $31 billion. The prevalence of HF continues to rise and is expected to exceed 8 million US adults by 2030. By this time, the direct medical costs of HF management, assuming no significant changes in management strategy, are projected to reach $53 billion, leading to $70 billion annually in total HF costs.