Heart Failure in Old Age

Abstract

Heart failure in the elderly is relatively common. In most cases the cause is ischemic heart disease. Specific precipitating causes include cardiac disorders, such as hypertension or bacterial endocarditis, and extracardiac conditions, such as myxedema or collagen disease. Accurate diagnosis is important; too often the term “heart failure” is used loosely to explain weakness and disability due to other causes in the elderly patient.