A Contemporary Appraisal of the Heart Failure Epidemic in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 2000 to 2010

Heart failure (HF) is commonly referred to as an epidemic, posing major clinical and public health challenges. Yet, contemporary data on its magnitude and implications are scarce.

To evaluate recent trends in HF incidence and outcomes overall and by preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Incidence rates of HF in Olmsted County, Minnesota (population, approximately 144,248), between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010, were assessed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Patients identified with incident HF (n = 2762) (mean age, 76.4 years; 43.1% male) were followed up for all-cause and cause-specific hospitalizations (through December 2012) and death (through March 2014).