EP83: How Do We Classify Heart Failure?

Welcome to my podcast. I am Doctor Warrick Bishop, and I want to help you to live as well as possible for as long as possible. I’m a practising cardiologist, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the creator of The Healthy Heart Network. I have over 20 years as a specialist cardiologist and a private practice of over 10,000 patients. Podcast Summary Introduction Dr. Warrick Bishop is a practicing cardiologist and author dedicated to improving patient care through education about heart health. In this episode, Dr. Bishop explains the classification systems used to categorize heart failure, emphasizing that understanding these distinctions helps patients and caregivers grasp their condition better. The episode focuses on two primary ways cardiologists classify cardiac failure: by timeline (acute vs. chronic) and by heart function level (based on ejection fraction). Key Takeaways: Heart failure is classified using two main distinctions: the timeline of onset and how well the heart is functioning. Acute cardiac failure develops rapidly and is commonly caused by coronary artery disease, heart attacks, severe blood flow restriction, arrhythmias, infections, or sudden valve failure. Chronic cardiac failure develops progressively over time and is the more commonly seen type in clinical practice, often resulting from conditions like prolonged high blood pressure, valve problems, or ongoing blood flow issues. Ejection fraction measures the percentage of blood expelled from the left ventricle with each heartbeat, with a normal ejection fraction typically around 60%. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) occurs when ejection fraction is 40% or less, representing significantly diminished pumping ability. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) occurs when ejection fraction is 50% or higher, often caused by diastolic dysfunction or poor relaxation of the heart. Heart failure with moderately reduced ejection fraction represents cases where ejection fraction falls between 40-49%, filling a gap between reduced and preserved categories. Understanding these classifications helps educated patients and their families better comprehend their diagnosis and engage more effectively in their care.