title: Understanding Heart Failure.
abstract: Heart failure (HF) is a growing global health concern that affects more than 20 million people worldwide. With an ever-growing segment of the population over the age of 65, the prevalence of HF and its associated costs are expected to increase exponentially over the next decade. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of HF have resulted in the ability to enhance both the quantity and the quality of life of patients with HF. This article reviews the current understanding of the pathophysiology, cause, classification, and treatment of HF and describes areas of uncertainty that demand future study.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mazurek
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: mariell.jessup@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: Mariell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jessup
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D058406:Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000639:trends*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C121675:Ace protein, Enterococcus; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists
keywords: ACE inhibitors; Ejection fraction; HFrEF; Heart failure; Neurohormonal blockade; Treatment; β-Blockers