Depression-Related Costs in Heart Failure Care

Abstract

AN ESTIMATED 4.9 million Americans have heart failure (HF). While mortality from coronary artery disease is declining, mortality from HF is increasing. This is due, in part, to the aging of our population. Each year, 400 000 Americans are diagnosed with HF, and 200 000 die from the disease. Heart failure deaths have increased by more than 100% between 1979 and 1995. Heart failure is now the leading cause for hospitalization in those older than 65 years and is the most costly cardiovascular disease in the United States, with estimated total costs exceeding $20 billion in 1998.¹