Heart Failure: Pathophysiology and Diagnosis

What is the common final pathway for most chronic cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and valvular heart disease?

• Heart failure (HF)

• Atrial fibrillation

• Myocardial infarction

• Pulmonary embolism

Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom or sign of heart failure according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) definition?

• A) Breathlessness

• B) Ankle swelling

• C) Fatigue

• D) Headache

The term 'heart failure' is preferred over the older term 'congestive heart failure'.

• True

• False

What are the more general terms that describe disorders of myocardial structure and/or function, which may lead to heart failure?

• Cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction

• Arrhythmia and pericarditis

• Hypertension and atherosclerosis

• Valvular stenosis and endocarditis

According to Figure 257-1, what is the prevalence of heart failure among adults aged 60-79 years in the United States, as a percentage of the population?

• 1.7%

• 4.8%

• 8.9%

• 12.8%

According to Figure 257-2, which group has the highest incidence of heart failure in the age group >75 years?

• White males

• White females

• Black males

• Black females

Fill in the blank: The estimated number of American adults being treated for heart failure is _______.

• 6.2 million

• 2.5 million

• 10 million

• 4 million

The overall 5-year survival following the diagnosis of heart failure is less than 50%.

• True

• False

Match the following age groups to the prevalence of heart failure among U.S. adults (according to Figure 257-1):

• 8.9%

• ≥80 years

• 0.3%

• 60–79 years

• 1.7%

• 20–39 years

• 12.8%

• 40–59 years

Which of the following is an independent clinical predictor of adverse outcomes in heart failure?

• Male sex

• Female sex

• Young age

• Low blood pressure