Epidemiology of heart failure.

As a common sequelae of many forms of cardiovascular disease, heart failure is a major health problem in the United States. With recent advances in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, more people are being saved from premature death. As a consequence, however, heart failure is likely to become even more widespread. This article reviews the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and mortality of this very common and often lethal condition.