[Epidemiology and prognosis of cardiac insufficiency]

Abstract

Cardiac insufficiency, the outcome in the majority of cardiac diseases, is common and serious. The frequency is rising, and the fatality, even if it has diminished thanks to various treatments, remains elevated. The epidemiology of cardiac insufficiency is relatively little known in France, despite its considerable economic impact on the health system, while this constraint is ever increasing. Some significant French statistics: the number of cardiac insufficiency cases is about 500,000, there are 120,000 new cases each year. The incidence rises from 4@1000 of males and 3@1000 of females aged between 55 and 64 years to 50@1000 of males and 85@1000 of females aged 85 to 94 years. The average age for occurrence of cardiac insufficiency is 73.5 years; two thirds of patients are over 70 years. There are about 3.5 million consultations and 150,000 hospitalizations for cardiac insufficiency every year. The average length of stay is 11 days. There are more than 32,000 deaths annually from cardiac insufficiency. The costs linked to cardiac insufficiency represent more than 1% of total medical costs. Cardiac insufficiency is a major problem for public health, and it is more and more so. This must prompt us to treat our patients better, and to undertake more preventive measures.