2024 Report Summary & Top 10 Key Points

Needs Assessment and Goals

In 2023, the first report of the Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics of the Heart Failure Society of America was launched.  The purpose of this inaugural document was to synthesize and summarize the trends in the epidemiology and outcomes of heart failure (HF). In the inaugural issue, we highlighted concerning trends in the incidence, prevalence, lifetime risk, mortality, and hospitalization rates of HF over the past decades. In this document, we present an update, incorporating more current data where available. These updates are emphasized in summary statements throughout the document. When more current epidemiological data is unavailable, we have chosen to retain the important data and summary points emphasized in the 2023 document. As in the inaugural issue, the emphasis of the document is on epidemiological trends in the United States (US). However, when applicable, global trends are also included. Each annual updated version of the HF Stats will undergo revisions to include the newest representative available data, add additional relevant published epidemiologic findings, remove older information, add new sections or chapters, and underscore important changes.

Summary of Top 10 Key Points

1. Approximately 6.7 million Americans over 20 years of age have heart failure (HF), and the prevalence is expected to rise to 8.7 million in 2030, 10.3 million in 2040, and 11.4 million by 2050.
2. The lifetime risk of HF has increased to 24%; approximately 1 in 4 persons will develop HF in their lifetime.
3. Proportion of younger patients with HF is increasing compared to the proportion of older patients.
4. Approximately one-third of the adult population in the United States (US) is at risk for HF (Stage A), and 24-34% of the US population has pre-HF (Stage B). The risk of developing HF has increased in individuals with obesity, hypertension, and clusters of comorbidities.
5. The incidence and prevalence of HF is higher among Black individuals compared with other racial and ethnic groups. The prevalence of HF has increased among Black and Hispanic individuals over time.
6. HF mortality rates have been increasing since 2012 with a more pronounced acceleration in 2020-2021. The age-adjusted HF mortality rates were higher in 2021 than in 1999. HF was a contributing cause in approximately 425,147 deaths and accounted for 45% of cardiovascular deaths in the US in 2021.
7. Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native individuals have the highest all-cause age-adjusted HF mortality rates compared with other racial and ethnic groups. From 2010 to 2020, HF mortality rates have increased for Black individuals at a rate higher than any other racial or ethnic group, particularly for individuals below the age of 65.
8. A greater relative annual increase in HF-related mortality rates has been noted for younger (35-64 years) compared with older (65-84 years) adults.
9. Highest HF death rates have been reported in the Midwest, Southeast, and Southern states. Rural areas demonstrate higher HF mortality rates for both younger and older age groups compared with urban areas.
10. Rates of HF hospitalizations have increased since 2014. This increase was consistent between age groups and sexes, with the highest rates being among Black patients.   Between 2020-2022, HF hospitalization rates were temporarily reduced during COVID-19 pandemic.