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Frailty in Heart Failure

  • Self-Care and Health Outcomes (T Jaarsma, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Considering the increasing age of individuals affected with heart failure (HF), a specific approach to their treatment is required, with more attention paid to geriatric conditions such as poor mobility, multiple disabilities, and cognitive impairment. Frailty is a distinct biological syndrome reflecting decreased physiologic reserve and resistance to stressors. It was shown to occur frequently in patients with heart failure, with the prevalence ranging from 15 to 74 %, depending on the studied population and the method of assessment. We reviewed literature data on the influence of frailty, skeletal abnormalities, comorbidities and geriatric condition on diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in elderly patients with HF. Identification of frailty in patients with HF is important from the clinical point of view, as this condition exerts unfavorable effects on the course of heart failure. Frailty contributes to a higher frequency of visits to emergency departments, hospitalizations, and mortality in patients with HF. Exercise may improve mobility, and nursing support can be implemented to help the patients adhere to medications. Therefore, frail patients should be diagnosed and treated according to available guidelines, and successfully educated about their condition.

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Conflict of Interest

Izabella Uchmanowicz, Maria Łoboz-Rudnicka, Przemysław Szeląg, Beata Jankowska-Polańska, and Krystyna Łoboz-Grudzień2 declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Nursing, Wroclaw Medical University, K. Bartla 5, 51-616, Wroclaw, Poland

    Izabella Uchmanowicz & Beata Jankowska-Polańska

  2. Department of Cardiology, T. Marciniak Memorial Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland

    Maria Łoboz-Rudnicka, Przemysław Szeląg & Krystyna Łoboz-Grudzień

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  1. Izabella Uchmanowicz
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Correspondence to Izabella Uchmanowicz.

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Uchmanowicz, I., Łoboz-Rudnicka, M., Szeląg, P. et al. Frailty in Heart Failure. Curr Heart Fail Rep 11, 266–273 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11897-014-0198-4

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