Heart HealthAHA Issues Roadmap for Treating Heart Failure in Adults Over 65
Heart failure disproportionately burdens adults over 65, yet this group is often underrepresented in major clinical trials and faces unique barriers to guideline-directed therapy. A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association addresses this gap directly, reviewing the evidence for standard heart failure treatments in older patients and providing a structured framework for clinicians. The statement covers how to manage complex cases involving multiple chronic conditions, polypharmacy risks, frailty, and social determinants of health. It emphasizes shared decision-making and benefit-to-risk assessment tailored to each patient. Practical implementation strategies and health system tools are also highlighted to help bridge the gap between evidence and real-world care for this high-risk population.
