Resumen

NEGRIN EXPOSITO, José Eugenio et al. Prevalence and heart failure in over 65 years-old elders. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2007, vol.26, n.2. ISSN 0864-0300.

A population-based study was carried out in 10 randomly selected family physician’s offices, with the objective of determining the prevalence and forms of heart failure in patients aged over 65 years seen at "Marcio Manduley" polyclinics in Centro Habana municipality. Eight hundred and five cases were interviewed and tested to collect heart failure symptoms and signs. Echocardiogram was performed in those who presented with two or more symptoms and signs; if there was systolic or diastolic dysfunction or both, these cases were considered positive to heart failure. One hundred and eleven cases showed two or more symptoms and signs, echocardiogram showed heart failure in 87 cases, that is, the total heart failure prevalence was 10.8 %. 18.4 % had systolic dysfunction, 42.5 % diastolic and 39 % both. It was concluded that heart failure prevalence was high. Isolated diastolic heart failure should be actively traced.

Palabras clave : Heart failure; prevalence; echocardiogram; diastolic dysfunction.