High Prevalence of Undetected Heart Failure in Long-Term Care Residents: Findings from the Heart Failure in Care Homes (HFinCH) Study

Abstract

Heart failure was diagnosed in almost a quarter of residents: the prevalence was substantially higher than in other populations. The majority of heart failure cases were undiagnosed, while three-quarters of previously recorded cases were misdiagnosed. Common symptoms and signs appear to have little clinical utility in this population. Early, accurate differential diagnosis is key to the effective management of heart failure; this may be failing in long-term care facilities.