The economic burden of heart failure.
Heart failure, a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly, is a serious public health problem. As the population ages and the prevalence of heart failure increases, expenditures related to the care of these patients will climb dramatically. As a result, the health care industry must develop strategies to contain this staggering economic burden. Strategies may include adopting approaches for preventing heart failure and implementing new treatment modalities with proven efficacy into large-scale clinical practice. Successful implementation of these strategies will require intensive physician and patient education and development of innovative approaches to fund support services.
O'Connell
J B
JB
Department of Internal Medicine, University Health Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015996:Survival Rate; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000401:mortality
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors