Predicting and preventing heart failure

Abstract

Current guidelines for the treatment of heart failure do not focus on its prevention despite the steady global rise in prevalence. A new framework is needed to help clinicians routinely and efficiently identify patients at high risk of heart failure based on family history and risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. At present, guidelines recommend lifestyle changes, healthy diet, physical activity, antihypertensive treatment, cholesterol-lowering agents, and sodium-glucose co-transporter two inhibitor treatment to address risk factors for heart failure. However, in recent years, outcomes for patients with a diagnosis of heart failure have stagnated, highlighting the need for earlier implementation of better prevention strategies. Updated guidelines must include a roadmap that specifies who should intervene and at what point in the care cycle, to give patients the best possible chance at avoiding or delaying heart failure. A combination of public awareness campaigns, education for healthcare professionals, and improved screening methods is needed to aid the prediction and, crucially, prevention of heart failure.